In our three and a half years as a group I have seen the whole picture evolve. When the group first started we had ALOT of stay at home moms, infact most of them (95%). Now it is the other way around, including myself I have gone back to work part time. It has been hard for hard core volunteers to suddendly be working but unfortunately our economy tells us different. Do we still make it work, yes we have a hard time with day events but night time events are great and we also have a ton of people who can prep stuff. I think if people enjoy it they will make time to do it no matter what, on a personal note yes I have cut back on a few things but have also made other things more important when it comes to leading the group.

I work from home so I'm able to make my own hours(except Thursday mornings, I have a conference call from England that I just have to take) I feel I have to be at most events since our 2nd VP can't handle money. But as far as programs go, if my kids want to go then we go.

This year I have let others handle things and tried not to be so controlling. It hasn't worked out very well and the Principal(he's the one who told me to ease up a bit)has asked me to get more involved next year. He feels the chairs have gotten carried away with their freedom.So I guess I'll be back to riding my broomstick around next year, with the princiapls blessing of course!

I've heard stay-at-home moms complain about having to do everything but never schedule things well to include paying-job moms. I've also seen paying-job moms use their jobs as excuses to not help. I don't know, but there must be some middle ground here somewhere. There IS some way to accomodate everyone who wants to help...I just haven't figured it out yet.

I work full-time, but about half of it is out of my house and not at the office. I also coach sports year round (except a couple weeks between each one) in addition to being PTO president.

The first year I found it very overwhelming and hard to balance it out. But my second year as pres, I had a good group of parents working on the board and we have a lot of things in place so I was able to pull myself back and oversee much more and be less hands on. I still try to attend everything, even if I'm not working on or at it. And, I do feel guilty if I don't make it to stuff, but that's my nature.

I think that a supportive family makes a big difference, my wife is very supportive of my involvement, and my kids like it too. Besides, we've met some really great people/families (as well as some that aren't so great) along the way.

I've accepted a third term recently, and am of course concerned with the time that is involved, but it always finds a way to get done.

When I did serve on my board I had the luxury of being able to work (and still do) part time hours after school everyday. I mostly work with children so afternoon after school is usually it for me( and on Saturdays too)

I was able to always be accessable to do HSA things during the school day and most days I Was in the school doing HSA work.

I work full time. If I have enough advanced notice I can schedule time off during the work day. I've been with my employer for 18 years so I do have time in my vacation bank. We alternate PTO meetings between evenings and mornings, so I do try to make as many as I can.

This coming year I will be PTO President, but I think I can make it work. I did it this past year as a just a board member and it wasn't too bad. The only thing that I found was that there is some pejudice out there on the part of stay home mothers to want to do everything during the school day. They use the excuse that no one comes anyways, but I think that you have to try to get people involved more, now just the ones who can do everything during the day. And we need to get some men involved.

I think you have to set your own expectations for yourself, don't worry about anyone else.