Our daughters are 2 and 4. In the past 90 days, my husband and I have volunteered with over 30 organizations…with our little ones, without childcare. On average, we volunteer about 3 times a week with a structured organization.
Prior to traveling the country to give, I always wanted to give back to my community, but I wasn’t sure how it would work logistically with tiny tots. I am much more confident now (A) that it can be done AND (B) that it is worthwhile.
Here are three pointers to help get you started on your journey.
1. Take a tour first. Part of the fear associated with volunteering with small children is that the organization won’t smile kindly on having a bubbly baby, a restless toddler, and/or a precocious preschooler around. There’s only one way to find out! Call an organization in your town and say that you are a potential volunteer that would like to take a tour to learn more. Be sure to mention that you will have your children with you for the tour. As you listen and ask questions, you’ll get a better idea about what the organization does, how they respond to children, and if there are service opportunities available that work with your schedule, your interests, and your children’s ages.
2. Sign up – on trial. If you find an organization that you are passionate about, pick a commitment that works for you. Choose once a week, twice a month, or once a quarter. Most organizations will be happy to have you – regardless of the frequency.
3. Expect imperfection. There will sometimes be potty training pauses, declarations of boredom, and fights over who-gets-to-sort-the-GIRL-clothes. But you’ll probably find that on MOST days, your children will be excited to serve. They will enjoy being in a new environment. They will know, from somewhere deep inside, that they are making a difference – even at under three feet tall!
Stay tuned tomorrow for practical ideas on how to make volunteer days go smoother.
* This is Part I of a three-part series on How To Volunteer With Small Children. [Read Part II and Part III].
I love that you are teaching your girls that there is SO MUCH MORE out there than our sheltered little lives. People to care for, causes to fight for…I love it!
This is fantastic! I am still searching for a good way to give WITH baby in tow! :) (he’s 14 months and super active). I was turned down by my library when I asked if I could reshelf books WITH the baby in the carrier on my back. They said it was a liability!!! And yet, they are desparately in need of volunteers and I was willing to come for 2 hours a week! Sigh. Going to keep searching! :) Thanks for these great tips and I can’t wait to hear more!
So sad. Our culture is surprisingly anti-baby sometimes. I hope more and more companies begin to realize that small children can contribute too…and that parents with young children have a ton to offer in both the business & community sectors.
This is great Stephanie! Thanks for the advice!
Happy Mother’s Day to all women – mothers and all those who want to be a mother!
I love this post, and would be excited to learn of service opportunities that would welcome young children Thanks! And Happy Mother’s Day :)
I am so excited about this series. Volunteering with my 3 year old still seems so intimidating and has stopped me from looking into places he could go with me. Thanks for being so open during this journey with your family and sharing all of your tips!
Ever since you guys have been posting all the places you have volunteered with your girls in tow, I’m getting braver and hopefully will one day actually figure a way to volunteer with two kids in tow. I would love to figure out how to help at an old folks home, but I think the girls need to be a bit older and able to do things on their own. Do you think it’s possible with two kids, ages 3 (almost!) and 14 months?
Yes! I do think it is possible. Perhaps start small – with a 1X/month commitment. Some nursing homes will set you up with a “lunch date” – where you can go and just enjoy lunch with one of the residents.
Have you run into anyone that won’t allow your children to volunteer? I ran into that at two local org’s who said no one under 12 could volunteer :( When I volunteer I need to bring my kids with me, and want to.
Yes. Some organizations only allow volunteers that are 12 or older, 16 or older, or 18 or older. Sometimes, the reasons are good. For example, a Habitat for Humanity construction site isn’t a safe place for small children. Other times, however, I wish organizations would be more creative and allow little ones along too.
That being said, most organizations we have encountered are pretty kid-friendly and have found ways for our little ones to help.
This is such a great post…I’m excited to learn more in the upcoming posts!
I like your first point – taking a tour first. Sometimes whether or not it will work for you to volunteer with your children, depends on the children. Taking a tour first lets you see the facility, the kids see the facility and the facility see the kids and see that they do behave and will be much more than a “liability”
Me and my husband are just discussing about how to turn it real in our lives with a 11 months baby and 2,5 year tod.. I was happy to find your three parts article. Thanks for it!
I leave a suggest of writing a fourth part specifying a list of potencial volunteer works possible to be made with children versus different ages.. ; )
It is a interesting subject to go further and further!
I still find it kind of abstract.. so if you feel inspired, please!
You gave me something today: Hope!
Thanks..
I love this! I’m a pastor’s wife, with a 2 year old daughter and 4 year old son. SO relevant for me as we have lots of ministry opportunities and the first thought is often to find a sitter for them rather than taking the kids along. I’m really looking forward to the rest of your posts in this series.
You can find Part II here: http://metropolitanmama.net/2011/05/part-ii-how-to-volunteer-with-small-children/.
And Part III here: http://metropolitanmama.net/2011/05/part-iii-how-to-volunteer-with-small-children/.
Thanks for commenting!