A post from 4/19/09...obviously I had come home from an annoying meeting and was bubbling over with fodder for blogging. I have since removed myself somewhat from the inner realm of PTA this year to give myself a break. Much needed I think!

Jenn and I brainstormed ideas for blog posts in case we ever are coming up short for daily inspiration. When this one was added to the list I thought it would end up being about annoying kids...perhaps belonging to us or other people. And some post down the line may talk about such charming demons, but not this one.

The whiners and crybabies here are adults. Adults who pride themselves as having many enviable qualities among them being upstanding community members, parent role models, do-gooders who are always giving and giving (did I mention giving?) of themselves. If you don’t mind curtsying when they walk by, they would appreciate that, thanks.

They sit at their meeting touting all their do-gooding and wondrous deeds. Thank God for them because really otherwise what would become of the youth in our community? Are you wondering how you can become part of this exclusive group? Yeah you guessed it. Join the PTA.

I am by no means saying that the PTA is no good. I have been President of my Middle Schooler’s PTA for the past two years, and I would not be part of something that I don’t believe in. PTA does a lot of great things and our schools need them. But maybe some of the members should start holding themselves accountable for their own poor behavior. Stop and think for just a minute why some parents don’t want to help. Why some parents feel it’s a clique and stay away.If I had just some more nerve and God knows I have more than my share, (I think I went back for seconds when He was handing out nerve), I would have stood up and told all the whiners and crybabies to SHUT UP! Get off your soap boxes and get real. Stop playing the poor do-gooder who is always getting a bad rap. Maybe you are just a shit-stirrer and now it’s coming back to you. Maybe although you say it’s all about the kids your actions tell another story.

You don’t join because you want your name in lights. You don’t join because you are on a power trip and want to be the PTA Queen. You don’t decide who is “in” and who is not. You don’t adjust the rules to suit your agenda. You don’t ambush a person at a meeting, in front of a room full of people to watch them squirm. You just roll up your sleeves do what needs to be done and stand back and watch how your actions helped make a kid’s school experience that much better. You do that without always taking a bow. That’s what it’s about.

I should have told them that. Hmmm..maybe I just did.