Of course you can do it. I have been the leader of our PTO for five years. The first four I worked full time, coached soccer and baseball (two leagues) mother of four children. I quit work two years ago and added another child (#5) and gave up the coaching, for the time being, and added the middle school PTO too.

I find that I now do a lot more since my second oldest child is at middle school because he volunteered and assisted at the elementary functions and now does just as much if not more at the middle school as far as fundraising, volunteering and such without me and with me. He keeps me busy running him to their functions on top of the elementary where two of my daughters are.

I agree that organization is the key. Make sure that everyone knows their roles (co-chairs) and follow-up to ensure they are moving along on time, but let them do the work they volunteered for. It will all work out! You'll be glad you did.

It is doable, my one word of advice is to learn what is important and what isn't. If you can no longer vacumm your floor everyday then so be it, these are the years that you should be enjoying with your kids. My husband and I have a joke, we can always tell when there is a school event during the week...our house is a mess, after the event you worry about it. I worked 28 hours a week but quit last week, I am now a stay at home mom with all my kids in school.Something different but I need some me time! Like I said some things can wait and if you are willing to let go of some of the small things you can make it work!

Its not the quantity of time you spend with your children (although its nice) its the quality. If you make time for only your kids (scheduling time with Hubby or wife, etc) The kids dont mind...

My Dad worked 2 jobs and Mom worked night and did PTA, Scouts, Church and I stil cherish the time alone (with 5 kids it wasnt much) with each and with the others because it was usually quality time (be it cooking, scouts, church, watching a sport event, etc)

As long as they feel you care (asking about school, activities, etc), participate, encourage and show them your proud of them (even for folding and stapling) your family will love you for it (my 2 & 4 yr old undersatnds the importance of empathy and helping others (sorta now) because of our PTA and school involvment


As Rob Schneider would say (in WaterBoy, me thinks),

"YOU can DO it"

I agree with getting your own kids involved--my kids love to help me with even the simplest stapeling packets together or folding papers, counting box tops, just whatever---but its amazing how many boys or this friend did this or we folded the newsletter into an airplane and flew it around the house---PTO takes alot of time but its well worth it and with getting my kids involved I don't feel that I am not giving them every second I can---ALSO!! get that handy calendar and mark everything--I live by my calendar LOL!! Sometimes I even look back to what I was doing this time last year and say WOW I DID ALL THAT !!LOL

It's doable. Organizational skills and determination are key. But it's literally like a second job. So I do worry a little about you juggling the newness of going back to outside employment AND the PTO. That could be a lot of stress.

One of the most ironic things I found when I was Pres and working on PTO night and day was the number of times I couldn't help/listen to/spend time with my own kids because I was busy "helping the kids at school" by working on PTO business. However, we all managed.

You can do it, but take care of yourself.

Thank you for all the great advice. I am an organizational freak anyway so I know I can do this. Its just a matter of getting all the ducks in a row and making sure my chairperson are up and ready to take on the responsiblity.
I just needed that boost of confidence.

Thanks Ladies.

Cindy