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Volunteering with babies and toddlers |
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Written by Tera Schreiber
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Dec 01, 2006 |
No doubt about it: Bringing a baby home can really slow your family
down. The world suddenly becomes divided between places you can bring
your kids, and places you can't. This can put a crimp on parents
looking for meaningful ways to get involved in their community. But it
doesn't have to be that way; when it comes to volunteering, many
organizations welcome tots to tag along -- or even join in -- when
their parents volunteer.
For parents taking time away from the paid workforce, volunteering can
keep skills sharp while building up resumes. Giving back to a favorite
cause can help you meet others who share your passion. And while a
newborn won't remember the work, he will love to hear stories about how
he was the youngest member of the crew stuffing envelopes for a
political campaign. Incorporating volunteer work into the lives of
young children can make an impression on them, and help parents model
their values.
Fortunately, ample child-friendly volunteer opportunities exist in the
Puget Sound region. Joanna Bargeron of Seattle has volunteered on the
Board of Seattle Midwifery School with her kids in tow since the birth
of her first child six years ago. "My kids came to bulk mailings,
events, and many, many meetings," Bargeron says. "Despite the
occasional distractions of children, the staff and volunteers have
always made my family feel welcome, and my children are now very
comfortable in this adult setting. I imagine they feel something like I
do when others bring their kids to meetings or activities -- I usually
find their multi-generational presence adds to the richness of my
volunteer experience."
Dana Hogan of Seattle is an experienced volunteer. She likes giving her
time to an organization that serves expectant and new parents, because
it's the friendliest environment she's found for including her
children. She's been a committee volunteer at Great Starts Birth &
Family Education in Seattle for the past four years. "Unlike some other
volunteer jobs, the Great Starts meetings have always been set up to be
very baby-friendly," Hogan says.
Sometimes, children can be involved more directly in giving back.
Friend to Friend recruits and matches volunteers with elderly and
handicapped persons living in Nursing, Assisted Living, and Retirement
Homes. Friend to Friend volunteers make a commitment to visit one
resident friend at least a couple of times a month at their
convenience, for one year. Marilyn Soderquist is Program Director for
Friend to Friend. "Volunteers are welcome to include children," she
says. "Others bring their spouse or pet along on visits. It is a simple
visitation program that brings joy to a place and person where it is
needed most."
Bremerton resident Kelly Sciarrotta volunteers for Friend to Friend,
visiting Christa Shores, a retirement community in Silverdale, with her
five-month-old and three-year-old daughters once a week. Sciarrotta
says, "The experience has been very positive for us and our children.
My kids glow with the attention and love they receive from the
residents." The girls' own grandparents live in other states, so
Sciarrotta says the visits are a high point for the family.
Not every volunteer opportunity requires parents to take kids out of
the house. Sometimes you can give back while wearing spit-up-stained
clothes in the comfort of your own home. Many organizations will gladly
give volunteers work that can be done via the phone or computer. Toy
Rescue Mission, a Tacoma organization that refurbishes toys to needy
children and seniors in nursing homes, will gratefully send volunteers
home with books, dolls and other toys that need to be cleaned or
sorted. "Volunteers can also knit or sew lap blankets for seniors,
blankets and clothes for dolls, or Christmas stockings for teens," says
Karol Barkley, President of Toy Rescue Mission.
Barkley echoes the sentiments of so many organizations that rely on
volunteers. "While the holiday season is busy, volunteers are needed
year round," she says.
Volunteering can help inspire a spirit of generosity in you and your
children during the holiday season -- and may even get you in the habit
of giving back to your community all year long.
Tera Schreiber is a freelance writer from Seattle who has enjoyed sharing support for charitable causes with her children since their infancy.
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