During my work on the Childless by Choice Project, I suspended some of my volunteer work. I didn’t have the time. I still don’t have the time, but I was offerred an opportunity to spend two hours a week with the young golfers at The First Tee, an instructional and character-development program for youth. I jumped on it because I missed working with young people and, frankly, after many hours in front of my computer I needed the fresh air.
A week before my first day at First Tee, I was warned by the director that we had "rambunctious" group, a group of 20 elementary and middle schools boys and one girl. I braced myself. I was used to mentoring teenagers one-on-one so the prospect of one on five younger kids had me worried. How would I cope?
I arrived early. The director asked me "Do you have boys?" "No kids," I responded. It didn’t appear to worry her. I suspect she is childless, or childfree, too.
I turned out to be fine. The kids were great and I enjoyed my time with them. My time is precious; I need to be careful how I spend it these days. However, two hours teaching kids golf and character skills is a good, and happy, use of my time.
How do you use your time in ways that make you happy?
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2 comments:
Very cool! I am of the firm belief that kids need more adults who care in their lives than mom and dad... Especially with the way things are going economically these days, when both parents work outside the home.
I also want to volunteer with youth at some point. It's not the right time for me yet; I'm dealing with a lot of stuff right now... but it is something I want to do.
A few years ago, I did spend a lot of time volunteering to go into schools and youth centres and talk about safer sex and HIV/AIDS. It was a very rewarding experience.
Hi Margaret,
That's a very cool use of your time. A young women I've mentored gave me a heads up on the high incidence of STDs in our community. Most women don't realize that unsafe sex can lead to infertility.
I want choice for everyone--those who want kids and those who don't.
That means using a condom every time you have sex. Good work!
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