Every volunteer I know says the same thing “I love the kids, it’s the parents that drive you nuts.”
I’ve been a good little volunteer at my kids’ school – choreographed the talent show, seared off my finger tips with a glue gun making the soccer banner, reheated Costco pizza to sell at the Science Fair. And we do it for the kids, so they see they have a nice little community trying to raise them not to be serial killers.
But nothing kills the volunteer high faster than unappreciative parents writing flaming emails about how you suck. I’m completely baffled by these people. My husband and I have an algorithm. For every hour you assist me, I will read one line of your complaint email. We share our ratio with everyone at the first team meeting, but unfortunately, it’s the same people that send those emails that are too busy to come to the team party. So they don’t get the memo – so to speak.
So here’s my message – to stupid whiny parents – stand down. We are all in this together. We get you are busy and working and drunk, it’s cool. Just don’t tear us down for trying to raise up your kids. Flamy bitchy emails and sit downs with the Principal make us not want to put our hands in the volunteer collection plate when it gets passed around next time. Also your kid isn’t that great. There’s a reason he is in the back of the line or only playing two quarters. The sooner you come to terms with your own kid’s strengths and weaknesses the better it will be for all of us.
I have one soft spot though and it’s for those ‘crazy moms’. You actually amuse us. We hate you, don’t get me wrong. And we make fun of you behind your back. And we don’t want your kid in our field trip carpool.* But your 3-page single spaced emails and 5:45 AM texts provide fodder for our next book club (and hey blog!). You don’t realize you need medication. We all know it, but you haven’t a clue. And your complete split from reality makes it fun/painful for the rest of us.
Anyhoo, this video was made as a love letter to all the volunteers who put up with a lot of crap. You’re the backbone of the community and school and we love you. Keep the faith! XOXXO, Whitney
*I drove your kid once and I got your email about how I pulled out of the parking lot before his seatbelt was fully fastened. I got your rant that your son complained that I answered my phone while driving. If you recall, that was on the fourth call I received, ALL FROM YOU wondering when we’d be back at school. I also brought him home with me because you were late and then listened to him tell me how disgusting the cereal I made him was. He’s a peach. Truly. Good luck with that.