Comments on: What Season Are You In? (And How to Say “No”)

By: Lee

Lee — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 02:44:21 +0000

In reply to Brooke.

Thanks so much for this thoughtful feedback! I agree schools rely so much on parental involvement and it can be a wonderful way to meet new mom friends. I definitely didn’t mean to say to not volunteer at all but just to know your capacity each season. Some years it’s okay just to sign up for smaller jobs. I know in a preschool situation, for example, just about everyone has the excuse of having small children at home. But some have more capacity to do the “big” jobs than others depending on their childcare situation, other church, school, and volunteer commitments, etc.

Of course, if all parents are required to sign up for something like lunch duty, etc. then obviously everyone should do their part.

By: Brooke

Brooke — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 22:56:58 +0000

As a former PTA President, I’m seeing a lot of people feeling VERY comfortable saying “no” to a lot of things. While I agree that you must examine your specific place at that time of life, we must all remember there are little or simple tasks that can be accomplished together. Plus, I’ve been able to make friends with other parents in other grades due to my involvement! You’re probably never going to be felt called to lunch duty but you might get something out of serving just once!

By: Anna L

Anna L — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 16:16:31 +0000

I loved this post, Lee! I actually sent it to a few friends. It is helpful to me as we prepare for the arrival of our third baby, right before school starts!
Thank you again for your wisdom and grace!

By: Lee

Lee — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 11:16:43 +0000

In reply to Marie. That's such a great line! I need to read that book.

By: Marie

Marie — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 02:01:34 +0000

I love this! My daughter is medically fragile, and I have had to turn down a lot of things I truly wanted to do in our church. Because my husband is the pastor, I felt a lot of guilt at times for not being as connected as I wanted to be. Of course our church family understood, it was my own heart that felt bad about saying no. Sometimes the sacrifice is in saying “no” when you really want to say “yes!” Lysa Terkeurst’s book The Best Yes is a great resource on this topic. Her example: “ My heart wants to say yes, but….”