For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for March 24, 2015

Oh, Lizzie…

Kids say the darndest things.

My mother was kind enough to fulfill some stupid promises I made, so as not to expose me to ridicule (I was already picked on enough). But I got quite a lecture once I got home!

I always wondered: where do people find these “Lynn’s Notes”?

wow, Lizzie must be proud that her mom can help out at school. i had to work when the kids were that age and even if i stayed home, the school was across town and we do not drive.

Most teachers are cognizant of the fact that small children can’t volunteer their parents, especially in pre-school.

Probably because they weren’t considered celebrities and didn’t have people hanging around because of their status and not because they genuinely liked them. Look at how “entourages” evaporate once an athlete’s or musician’s fame and fortune are gone.

I really liked being the volunteer parent. When my kids were in elementary school I never missed any of the activities that asked for parents. Even when they got to high school, often parents were asked to help out with large fundraising for trips and such, and both my husband and I helped out..All those times at these schools made it possible to meet the staff, and see who the kids’ friends were. On the whole our kids’ friends were mostly other kids whose parents volunteered also.

my mom always made cupcakes for our bake sales. Her’s were always the first to be bought up.

Well, at least she didn’t say “prolly”!

I will (and do, when I’m not substituting) volunteer all day long, but I don’t do bake sales. I’m not a baker. Luckily, my kids have never done this! (also, we aren’t allowed to volunteer if we have younger siblings with, so this year, when my youngest started Kindergarten, is the first year I could volunteer all day long).

It really IS a joy! I love the teachers, admin and kids at our school, and I know most of the first, the middle, and at least a third of the 850 students. Many of the other parents are great as well. <3

I don’t think the teacher expects her to bake a million cookies!

So…..on top of your job at the bookstore, being John’s helper at the dental office and raising the kids….you can bake a “million cookies” and hawk them at the mall. That’s what they meant when they said women could “have it all.”

I know you are right. Lizzie has a lot of faith in her Mom, but taking care of the kids and helping John in the office and now doing a bake sale at the mall? That’s what I call a “Supermom!”

Yeah, I never get how and why North American parents do all this extreme volunteering. I mean, don’t you wanna work? Who has time for all this nonsense?

You should watch ‘New Adventures of Old Christine’ for a good idea of why North American’s volunteer.