@Phoebe- agreed. When you are doing things that energize you, you’re not really stretching yourself thin. You’re building yourself up! Plus, brilliant to host at your house where the kids are on their own turf.

I love that she noted that it was easier for her to make time to do the things she wanted to because her older kids could be left to their own devices or brought along for the ride.

Kudos to you and Sarah for representing the average working mom who doesn’t have access to alot of help and still makes it work. It gives me hope!!!

@Byrd – good for you for starting the chapter to support women in STEM. Volunteer work is like anything else, some of it winds up working well and some not, and when time is limited (as it is with jobs and young kids) you need to focus on what you can be most effective doing.

@J – many years ago I wrote an article about some organizations that purposefully structure volunteer work to accommodate people with jobs (so nights and weekends, and with limited time commitments). It’s a great idea, and I love the idea of family volunteering too. Our church provides a few opportunities like this, and when our littlest is a little older we will do more of them.

@Robin- so glad you enjoyed it! My kids have been blessed with many wonderful teachers and I know they, like Rachel, are focused on the same goal as parents: helping children succeed.

I really appreciated your question about what teachers want parents to know! With both of the teachers you’ve interviewed, it’s been really interesting to hear the perspectives of parents who also teach.

As a municipal employee I just want to say – thank you for your service! It is really important work.

Several months ago I started volunteering with a local activist group mostly around health care and immigrant reforms. I have learned so much and it has built a new purpose into my life that wasn’t there before. At the time I joined they were looking for some online marketing/ communications help, which is something I can do in little pockets of time, is not logistically tricky, and that I enjoy (and have professional experience). We are always trying to let our volunteers know that we welcome their help no matter how small. Specifically with political campaigns and the primary and general election seasons coming up, readers/listeners should know that you can often sign up to write postcards (fun, low-contact) or join ‘text banking’ efforts (reminding voters of their polling places and talking about candidates) from home. It doesn’t have to be going to a protest or making a speech.