The PTA Mom - Week 6

There are two things that elementary bring: lice and the PTA. For the mom in this week’s story both lice and the PTA landed in her lap. The lice eventually will go away after much shampooing/sprays and the unending loads of laundry. However, the PTA does not ever go away.

The mom in our story has a huge problem when it comes to the word NO. Instead of saying my plate is full she says yes to everything. Sure I will do that and yes I can help out with that. Before you know it she has taken on much more then she should have. Jumping up every time someone asks for help our mom says yes pick me, I can do it.

The first year was a cakewalk. She was the room mom (this is a huge job in of it’s self, I did this once a couple of years ago. Being a single mom working a fulltime job, I decided to take on that challenge because I could now). Our mom in the story was not sure who she impressed but she continued to take on more – not only was she the room mom but she also became the head mom, on the Carnival Committee, the Committees Committee and the Youth Protection Chairman, the latter one being the most recent role.

This mom’s role is hard work, thankless work. Relaxing is not even a word in her vocabulary. However, volunteer is the first word in her dictionary. Speaking to other moms to help out with activities is like taking a pry bar to open a door. Can you believe the other’s mom excuses for not helping out is because they want to keep there weekends free. How do you keep your weekends free when you have three children?

When it comes to going to the bathroom or taking a shower, one would think that this is a time for a few seconds of peace. Not in this moms home (nor is it in most moms homes). There are two kids and the dog at the mom’s feet while going potty. When it comes to the shower, the toddler opens up the door every few seconds or the husband is coming in to ask where this or that. Can anyone do without mom for a few minutes – seems not!

Moms like the one in our story are not the only crazy mom’s. There are other mothers that walk among the hallways with glassy-eyed look, frantically patting their clothing to ensure their clothes are on the right-side out. Forget about making sure everything matches - the teachers are used to unmatched outfits as the kids are now dressing themselves and do not know how to match correctly.

Looking like June Cleaver is not the way of life these days. Who has time for makeup and pearls? Moms have time to brush there hair before heading out the door. The teachers do not care if the parents are naked when they show up. There are happy to see the parents who care enough to just show up and help out.

Yes, the PTA can get under your skin. It is a thankless position. Aggravating and annoying, yes and yes. What matters most is when your child comes up and gives you a big hug and says thank you – you are the best mom ever, it makes being the PTA mom and all the volunteer jobs worth that one moment.

Life Lesson #6:
Recognize what’s important

When living a high quality life you must know what you value – what’s most meaningful in your life? When you are completing all the millions of task you can you will lose perspective on life. You begin to lose your ability to discern what’s most important from what’s not because everything seems to be urgent – equally critical. However, that is not true.

“No matter how frantic life gets, the truly successful people are able to rise above the pandemonium and maintain their perspective.” The reason they can do this is because they know how to determine what is most important. Their values become their compass – no matter what they stay on course regardless of what may come there way. These types of people maintain a vision of what truly matters, what their life is all about and what they want their life to be.

What are your qualities and attributes you consider essential to living your best life? Remember, these are values that define who you are. Take for example: your list could include the following attributes as: Integrity, honesty, playfulness, understanding, trustworthiness, responsibility, truth, creativity, and adventurousness. There are many more possibilities for you. Make a list that resembles your core values – not what you think they should be but what you feel is truly important to you.

Once you see what your core values are you can adjust your life as such and begin to invest time and energy into those things you hold sacred. Ask yourself, what is it that I value? What’s most important to me? What do I really want? Not only will this help you understand more of yourself on a deeper level, but ultimately this will help you refocus your life around what’s truly meaningful to you.

Now that you are gaining a better picture of what you consider to be important, ask yourself: what do I need to change in order to have my values expressed more visibly in my everyday life? Is there anything I need to add to my life? Are there activities or commitments I need to eliminate?

Once you begin to focus on who you truly are, what you believe in, and what you love – you will begin to create a life in which your outer life matches your more deeply held values and beliefs. Having the feeling “all of piece” is an essential ingredient in living the life you are meant to live.


Now comes the finishing touch ~

Remember when we wrote our self a love letter? It is time to write our self another letter. In order to love and support others, we have to understand the true meaning behind this by first loving and valuing ourselves.

Make an agreement with yourself – allow all your feelings to come alive in your letter. Do not censor anything and most of all, do not judge who you are. This is not a letter to be little who you are but rather to up lift yourself. Here is a list to help guide you while writing your letter.

What’s in my best interest?
What do I need to do to take better care of myself?
Are there any insights that can help me grow as a person or make my life more balanced?
What do I love, cherish and admire about myself?
What are my top 10 core values and principles?
What are five qualities I’d like to be remembered for?
What have I found myself saying to the world over and over throughout my life?

Once finished with your letter, be sure to save the letter for those times when life itself seems so overwhelming and you need a pick me up – read your letter.

Food for thought – Ask yourself everyday, is this what I want to be doing? If the answer is “no,” you can, day-by-day, begin to alter your course. Changing course is a process – it happens slowly, incrementally. But if you are persistent you will end up where you want to be.


Have a wonderful and bless week ladies. Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!!!!