Volunteering

Since both kids are now in school part time I decided to get back into the world. I am not ready to get a job since their schedules are still changing and they are only part days so instead I found an organization that I can volunteer with. They focus on keeping kids safe and have a lot of different opportunities  The first I did was taking care of kids whose parents are taking parenting classes- that one wasn't really what I was looking for but it did get me with the organization. The second thing I have started was teaching first graders how to protect themselves from physical and sexual abuse and how to report when something happens. I LOVE it, the kids are great and with that age you can really have fun with them and they are fully engaged in what you are teaching them. The final thing I started is mentoring a new mom, I started with her when her baby was 1.5 weeks old and I will continue you to see her every two weeks for the first year. I help with anything she needs- picking doctors, baby proofing, meal planning, daycare research and anything else she has questions about. So far I have really liked the latter two opportunities.  They give me just enough of something outside of the house that I feel like I have my own identity again but at the same time the time commitments aren't great enough that I feel like it is taking me away from the kids and family.