Involvement
Deane has always said that if he didn't want to be involved in his kid's lives, he wouldn't have had kids. I tend to agree with him.
While I don't consider us Helicopter Parents (at least I really hope we're not), I would say we are very involved parents. We always have been. We volunteered at our kid's pre-schools, worked with them in Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, supported them with the parent's groups dedicated to various sports and school activities, (cross country, band, chorus, post prom) and theater, and serve as youth leaders in our church. Along the way, we became involved in the lives of many other children as well, what a gift that has been!
We are no longer as involved in Julian's life, as he is moving more into adulthood and a life of his own. However, we have fostered shared interests over the years and are enjoying participating in activities as more of a peer now. It's pretty awesome really!
We still have a few years of active participation left with Cora as she finishes up High School. We seem to be milking it for all it's worth. She is involved in more activities than her brother was and we are right there with her.
We are enjoying the ride, even though it is often very hard work involving long hours. To be able to help these kids be successful, to see them grow and share their talents with the world, is truly a wonderful thing. We have built friendships with other involved parents, nurtured kids who's parents are absent (for many reasons) and supported teachers and other leaders who need all of the help they can get.
I can't recommend it enough. Get out there. Get involved. What you get out of it will be so much more than what you put into it. It will be worth all of the frustration, sore feet and lack of sleep. One smile, one triumph, one proclamation of "That was the best _______ EVER!" from joyful kids is better than a thousand nights sitting on the couch in front of the TV.
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