Looking Forward To Giving Back *Updated!*
*In something completely unrelated, I’m going to update all of my sweet readers who were so kind and supportive during my whiny post about pregnancy tests. I went to the doctor yesterday and got some labs drawn, and it was confirmed: I had an early miscarriage. I’m really okay with it, just, as I was before, a touch blue. Thank you for everyone who commented and expressed your sympathy, although it was completely unnecessary, it was nice to hear. I love you guys (man, I’m gushy today. EW.)*
For the first time in almost two years, I am finally at peace with my decision to stay home and not go out and work. When I first stayed home, it was not so much by choice as by necessity. I was so sick with Alex, barfing my brains out all night long that I couldn’t drive to work without the very real possibility that I would hork in the car (out the window works best, I’ll tell you now) at 45 mph.
After a ridiculously long LOA punctuated by calls from my nasty HR department, I threw in the towel and quit. While it SOUNDS happy on paper here, I’ll tell you that it was very, very stressful for me. We hadn’t budgeted for me leaving work until closer to Alex’s birth, so money was quite an issue.
But now, now things are looking up. I no longer regard the term “housewife” as a dirty word, I’m generally happy and fulfilled most of the time with what I do, and I’ve come to grips with the fact that although *I* may never have a career in my degreed field, that is A-Okay, and doesn’t brand me a Loser (more than I am by nature, of course).
I have a couple of projects in the works for around the house and a super-secret one up my sleeve for myself (and no, it does not involve the phrase Baby #3), and I feel good.
Good enough to start looking for something else to do. Some volunteer work, I’m thinking. We fostered homeless cats for a local organization until Alex was a couple months old, and I suppose that we could go back to doing that, but I’m thinking of something more outside the house as well.
I’ve been searching through volunteer websites for the area, and nothing is really jumping out at me yet, which is where YOU come in, My Sweet Internet. What’s a good very part-time volunteer job that I can do (here’s the annoying stipulation) WITH Alex in tow. I’d like to leave him at home, but you know, he’s still not able to get himself something to eat, and that’s probably considered “child abuse” if I do it.
Any ideas?
(and no, I’m not inspired JUST BECAUSE I WEPT THROUGH ALL OF “IDOL GIVES BACK.” SHUT UP. I AM NOT THAT PATHETIC.)
Since you like being on the computer…sometimes organizations need help with writing letters and such to legislators, or for web-sites…that’s a win win, you stay with Alex and do volunteer work.
The other would be fostering the aminals (yes, spelling, I know but who doesn’t love it when people say aminals?) again, that’s a no brainer…kind of…you save lives and get attached at the same time!
You’ll find the right thing! I promise…it’s out there!
You could volunteer to come out and clean my apartment for the “KC Clean House Charity Org”
A very worthwhile charity, if you ask me.
You can take Alex and volunteer to clean my house.
You could even eat the leftovers in the fridge…
Oh I am so jealous! SO JEALOUS! It is my dream to be able to not work and actually volunteer my time. Good for you!
Hey? what is that over there————> ? Are you posting to two blogs?
Becky–We always need tutors at our school and since you live in the Chicago area, why don’t you e-mail me so that we can correspond. Nice of you to give back.
That sucks about the miscarriage, never fun. I hope they don’t have todo and follow up procedures…that SUCKS WORSE.
Volunteering, hmmmmm, you of many talents…have you thought about contacting the PTA where the wee ones will eventually go to school? They always need parent help and kids are always welcome. It’s a great way to get hooked up with the administrators and teachers before you get there and you get a whole new crew of peeps! Also library’s always need help and there’s lots of stuff for the kiddies to do while your bent over shelving books or reading to others midgets.
Also, meals on wheels or other organizations who do home hospice for the homebound. YOu could deliver meals, check meds (ha look that’s sort of using your degree) and bring along Alex for a sideshow:0) They also like visitors at the senior centers and they LOVE kids!
Okay, I am tapped out, if none of that sounds good, my house also needs cleaning and I would love to hang with you, no strings attached!
I like the last suggestion — it’s something I’d like to do now that Beans is a bit older. And ditto on the old dudes. Eeeps.
You could still probably do animal rescue stuff without merely hosting. Some feed feral cat colonies and it only takes minutes. Some feed/socialize the cats being shown in the pet store.
I remember researching a volunteer organization for singles, but I’m sure there are others beyond just singles. This organization serves as a recruiting source for other special events being put on by non-profits. You could look through bulletin board listings submitted by other organizations. That way you could volunteer, but it’s not always with the Heart Association. You could mix it up.
I say volunteer to help the elderly. Maybe pick a local old lady to take groceries to once a week..or pick up their prescriptions? Old men are kinda skeezy..but I really like old ladies!
I used to walk dogs for my town’s animal shelter, and it was amazing. I live in a pet-free building, so this was the only way I could get my doggie fix. They stopped allowing volunteers, and they’re the only local shelter, so I had to stop…. but it was definitely fulfilling, even though I cried every day. (Poor puppies.) But since it’s getting nice out, this could be something you could do with Alex. Maybe. If you’re into that.
I am in awe. You have two young kids and are looking for ways to give back – kudos to you girl! I’m shamed by your example. I’m a sahm and I try to “give back” by brushing my hair before leaving the house. I think it’s a service really!
But seriously, you have inspired me to look into doing something more. And there is not shame in staying home with your kids. It’s a tough job and I love it!
Oh, B. I’m sorry for your lousy news. What whiplash that must be for you. Hope you are being good to yourself…..
Wow…I have a hard time thinking of ones where you can bring a little feller along. Hmm…Meals on Wheels? Fostering critters for the local shelter? Visiting a nursing home? Volunteering to drive women from your local women’s shelter to doctor’s appointments, legal appointments , the airport, and the like (my mum does this)? I hope you find something that suits…
Shade and Sweetwater,
K
Oh my god, this is so weird. When we were IMing and I disappeared? It was totally because I was distracted by Idol and weeping at Idol Gives Back stuff. Ugh.
So sorry about the miscarriage Becky…*hugs*
As far as the giving back part, I love the fostering animals idea, and I have to agree…the elderly always need visitors and children always seem to bring a smile to their face!
I’m so sorry about the miscarriage! I hope the blue fades quickly.
As for volunteering, I used to work with an organization called Kansas City Cares – they have chapters in most major cities, I think. Anyway, you could sign up for things when you were free and some situations were listed as “family friendly”, so bringing Alex could work.
I am so sorry about the miscarriage. ((HUGS))!
I would check with the animal shelters. I too was thinking along the lines of driving the elderly, or maybe meals on wheels.
When you mentioned being so sick with Alex, I had to wonder, did you have hyperemesis gravidarum?
I’m so sorry about the miscarriage. I’m thinking of you!
I am so sorry to hear of your miscarriage Becky. No wonder you are feeling bluesy. If you want to chat, drop me a line.
I love Kalakly’s ideas, visiting elderly especially would be wonderful with kids.
Take care, thinking of you,
Kristen
When I was in undergrad, I volunteered a few nights a week at a local homeless shelter in the children’s room.
The way it worked there: check in was after school & after work. Everyone came in, got dinner, and then the kids got showered/bathed & in jammies. After that, the kids were checked into the children’s room. Most of the kids went to afterschool care immediately following school, & so their homework was done. Time in the children’s room was fun—group play, coloring, whatever. On Friday nights & Saturday nights we could have movie night. While the kids were in the play room, the parents would get showered & cleaned up, and then go for various classes on budgeting/finances, resume workshops, counseling, etc.
So—-that’s something that you could check into, and have your little one in tow.
Another suggestion: nursing homes.
Another suggestion: local Ronald McDonald house. They offer temporary accommodations for families with ill children in local hospitals, so that the families don’t have to travel long distances or just leave the ill child in the hospital alone for days at a time. They may be able to use some volunteers for various things.
My husband always watches Idol (the man’s addicted) but I rarely join him. He completely skipped watching that night though because he knew that if he did I’d be sitting by the phone with our brand new credit card donating to every charity I could think of. I’m SUCH a sucker (or a kind-hearted person, whatever) when it comes to that kind of thing. I’m the one who ALWAYS say “yes” to those cashiers with their $5 paper balloons, even if I’ve only run in to buy some gum. ANYWAY. I don’t know WHY I wrote all that except I felt compelled to (and I thought maybe you could relate, haha). Many apologies!
I have nothing better to offer in the way of volunteer ideas – looks like everyone has already mentioned anything in my teensy brain already!
Becky,
I am so sorry! Peter Rabbit and I will go crawl into bed for you and pull the covers over our heads and SLEEP! It is alright to mourn this! You know that, give yourself some time…really, you need time. Now, go take time for you! Love, Me, William and Peter Rabbit too!
I’m so sorry about the miscarriage, honey.
And I have no words of wisdom to offer on the volunteering front because I’m lame that way.
Aw, Becky. I’m sorry. Huge hugs your way.
What about volunteering with your local women’s shelter? I know ours had occasional things that I can do at home (stuff envelopes, etc). It is hard to volunteer with the little ones, but sometimes things work out. What other kinds of things are you passionate about? Find those and see what opportunities exist.
Special Olympics is always fun to get involved in! That’s one close to my heart, being a former Special Ed. teacher.
Great idea to get involved in something worthy!
I need to get back to that!
Really, I do! 🙂
I’m sorry for your loss.