How to Be a Room Mother

All elementary schools need volunteers--one of the most important of these is room mothers. Children in elementary school still need some of the nurturing that comes with school parties. Their holiday party not only helps build their excitement but also shows they deserve this opportunity to just socialize. Room mothers help with field trips as well by being an adult chaperon, keeping track of the students and making sure they are behaving. Becoming a room mother at your child's school is pretty easy. Here are some steps to follow.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Become a Room Mother

1. Go to your child's school at a time when the teacher is free and check with her about becoming a room mother. Classes often need two or more room mother volunteers.

2. Ask the teacher if he has an opening for a room mother and what duties are involved. Most likely, he will still need someone to help out with parties and other duties of a room mother.

3. Consider the expenses of this job. A certain amount of money will be collected from each child to go towards the expenses of the parties. It is best that the volunteers realize that this will not cover all of the expenses and they will probably have to add to it on their own.

Perform the Duties of a Room Mother

4. Make a list of what is needed from you for each party. Find volunteers from the class parents to send cookies, punch and other snacks to the party.

5. Include games and other activities along with the food and drink at each party if time allows.

6. Remember to check with the teacher whether homemade treats are allowed, or if edible items must be purchased pre-packaged.

7. Check with each teacher you work with to see if they allow younger children to come with you to the party or field trip. There are different rules with every situation.

8. Come away from the school year with the wonderful feeling that you have helped to provide wonderful memories in many children's lives with just a few endeavors on your part.

Tips & Warnings

• With almost everything being computerized, there may be sign-up sheets and other volunteer opportunities listed online at your school's website.
• Class parties will probably be held at Christmas, Valentine's Day, Easter and (maybe) the end of school.
• You will be asked questions on what is permissible at the party by other parents. Most of these answers will come from your conversation with your child's teacher.
• Check to see if your teacher has any problems with any types of foods due to student allergies or other problems.
• Some other parents may want to send treats for their child's birthday. If they ask you for an opinion on this, refer them to the teacher as only she truly knows each day's schedule.

[shahonahai]

on 8/6/2008 a great blog posting for room parents.
http://blog.qlubb.com/2008/08/to-room-parent-or-to-not-room-parent.html

[shahonahai]

on 8/6/2008 thanks! A great blog posting on room parenting can be found at http://blog.qlubb.com/2008/08/to-room-parent-or-to-not-room-parent.html

[charliefong]

on 3/10/2008 It's a little weird being a room-dad amidst all the mom's out there. However, I do work closely with the teacher. We put our events on Qlubb and we send emails via Googlegroups.