Well, apparently I’m going back to school too.
No backpack. No lunchbox. No homework—at least I hope not. But I AM officially back in the classroom as a school volunteer, and I’m genuinely excited about it.
Yes, I volunteer because teachers need help. I will cut, staple, organize, make copies, work with reading groups, or do whatever needs to be done.
But if I’m being completely transparent, there’s another reason I love volunteering at my kids’ school:
I want to know the kids my kids are talking about.
When someone’s name comes up at the dinner table, I want to know EXACTLY who we’re talking about. 😂
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Why I Volunteer at My Kids’ School
There are so many reasons for parents to get involved at school, and obviously helping the teacher is at the top of the list.
Teachers have SO much on their plates. If giving a couple hours of my time makes their day a little easier, I’m happy to do it.
But volunteering also gives me this little window into my kids’ lives that I don’t normally get to see.
As our kids get older, they spend a huge portion of their day away from us. They have friendships, conversations, inside jokes, classroom dynamics and experiences that are completely separate from home.
And I actually want to know a little bit about that world.
I Want to Know WHO We’re Talking About
You know how your kid comes home and says:
“So-and-so did this today…”
And you’re sitting there thinking, WHO IS SO-AND-SO?!
That’s where volunteering comes in. 😂
When I spend time in their classrooms, I start putting faces to all those names.
I get to know who my kids sit by. Who makes them laugh. Who they play with at recess. Who they mention every single day. I get to see a little bit of the social world they’re navigating when I’m not around.
I’m not there to spy on them—I promise.
I’m there because knowing my kids’ friends helps me know my kids better.
And honestly, I think there’s something really valuable about that.
Getting to Know My Kids’ Friends Matters to Me
One of the things I want as my kids grow up is for their friends to know me too.
I want them to feel comfortable walking into our house. I want to be able to say hi to them by name when I see them. I want my kids to know that I’m interested in the people who are important to them.
You don’t necessarily get that by asking, “How was school today?”
Because we all know the answer to that question.
“Good.”
Followed by absolutely nothing else. 😂
But when I know some of the people and context, suddenly I can ask better questions.
Instead of, “Who did you play with today?” I can ask about a specific friend or something happening in their class.
That’s when I tend to get the good stuff.
You Don’t Have to Be the Classroom Parent
I also think sometimes we make parent involvement at school feel way more intimidating than it needs to be.
You don’t have to volunteer every week.
You don’t have to run the class party.
You don’t have to join every committee or suddenly become the person responsible for the school carnival.
If your schedule allows it, just show up when you can.
An hour here and there can still give you a chance to support your child’s teacher, see your kid in a completely different environment, and get to know some of the people they’re spending their days with.
And I’m telling you—seeing your kid spot you in their classroom is pretty great too.
But Obviously… What Does Dad Wear to Volunteer at School?
Now for the other important question:
What exactly does a dad wear for his first day of volunteer school?
Because apparently this required some thought. 😂
I wanted something that felt like me: classic, comfortable, casual and put together without looking like I was trying WAY too hard for my two-hour shift at elementary school.
I shared my first dad school volunteer outfit in my Reel, and I put everything I wore together in one place. You can shop my entire school volunteer look here.
And now I may have accidentally created another series for myself.
Dad’s Going Back to School
So yes, I’m volunteering because I want to help the teachers.
But I’m also doing it because these are my kids’ people.
I want to know the names I hear around the dinner table. I want to recognize their friends. I want to understand a little more about the world they’re living in for seven hours every day.
And if I can help a teacher while I’m doing it? Even better.
Now the real question…
Should I start sharing my school volunteer looks each week?! Because you KNOW I’m already thinking about what I’m wearing next time. 😂
