Growing up, my mom was a stay at home mom – for the most part. My parents owned a small business so she would fit in that work amongst her other work which was raising my brother and I. She was frequently present at our small Catholic school whether it was class parties, field trips or PTA activities.
When I grew up to become a working mom, things like PTA activities were the lowest of the low on my priority list. That kind of stuff is for stay at home moms (SAHM), I would tell myself. How would I ever find the time to do that when I have a full time career? Yes, it’s best that we leave that kind of thing to the SAHMs.
Until one day.
I had been complaining to my husband about how something was handled against my liking at the school (how dare they!). I wasn’t going to fix the problem, but I did enjoy venting about it. None of us are guilty of that, right? Right. Well, God had a different plan. I don’t know about you but the God I know has a sense of humor. In true form, He drew my attention right to the line in the newsletter that read, “PTA meeting this Monday in the Chapel. All parents welcome!” It was like He was truly telling me, stop complaining or do something about it.
There went God, being right yet again.
One meeting, I told myself, as I walked into my first ever PTA meeting. I just wanted to get a feel for what was going on and what PTA was all about.
Moms, I got sucked in.
It was evident after the one meeting that it wouldn’t be my last. I truly felt like I was being called into this group of women. My excuse for having a career and not having the time? Irrelevant. The majority of our PTA has a career as well. If I wanted to have a voice at this school, I felt like this was my way in. To be honest, I also just felt bad that it was such a small percentage of parents that were on the PTA. Guilt would have eaten at me if I had just walked away and not looked back.
Fast forward.
I somehow became the Vice President of the PTA.
My husband laughed when he found out. A very supportive laugh and also one that indicated he was zero percent surprised at this new role I would be taking on. See, he doesn’t necessarily agree I was called for the PTA. He does, however, know that I have some inner drive that makes me take on more than I probably should. I honestly think it’s one of the things he loves about me. Or at least he tells me so.
What I define as calling he may define as insanity.
But whatever it is, calling or insanity, I feel it’s somewhere I belong right now. There have been no moments yet that compare to the movie Bad Moms and I hope I don’t portray Christina Applegate’s character. Though, of course, my friends joke I have some of the same qualities. This is not a compliment and I am aware of that.
Moms, a warning to you if you are thinking about attending your first PTA meeting. You will probably get sucked in. But don’t worry, it could mean the PTA is calling you, too. Or that you are insane. Either way, might as well leverage yourself to do some good for the school!
Are you a PTA member? Any funny stories you can share with us? We’d love to hear!
