Wednesday, March 22, 2006

Awhile back, I tried to volunteer for Meals on Wheels. I thought it would be fun for Emma and me to bring a little cheer to some elderly people who can't get out much. The first time I spoke to the coordinator on the phone, I mentioned that I had a two year old who would be coming along with me. Clearly, no one had ever tried to do that before, because the woman stammered and stuttered for about three whole minutes before telling me that she'd have to talk to some other people about it. Okay. She called me back the next day to say she'd talked to some people, but they weren't sure, so she was going to talk to some other "higher-up" people and get back with me. She called back a few days later, saying those people weren't sure, but they were going to bring it up at the next board meeting. Really, is it that big of a deal? So, again, she calls back and it was decided at the meeting that it wouldn't be safe for me to bring Emma along. Huh? She asked if I could leave Emma with a baby-sitter and do it by myself. I assured her that wasn't an option, and promised to call again in a few years. This was all about a month ago. Well, today she called me back again to tell me that they'd had another board meeting, and talked about us again, and good news! They decided to let me do it if I kept Emma buckled in her carseat, locked in my car every time I went in! Uh, no. I almost said to her "Are you for real?" Not only would that be a completely miserable time for Emma, but some busybody type might see her in there and call CPS on me or something. What were those people thinking?

When I get my chickens, this is the chicken coop I want. I think I will live in there with them!

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Aunt Mary has sweetly delivered Meals on Wheels ever since Jac was a baby, so I guess rules vary from place to place. I think old people would love to see Emma.

Anonymous said...

That's just stoopid. Sorry your attempt at offering help was not successful. Do call back in a couple years! And then, maybe just volunteer without giving extra info about who you're planning to bring :-)

David said...

I think that Emma might have fun just chilling in the car. I'm sure she would readily welcome a break from you.

Anonymous said...

Davey, did you really post at 6:25am?!

Kara said...

What about just doing Meals on Wheels and not mentioning Emma... just an idea.
I did some different volunteering when Henry was wee little and no one said anything. We delived blankets in the winter for one group and care packages for another... I went to the 'headquarters' to get the loads, with Henry in tow, and they just smiled or patted his head. And of course everyone enjoyed seeing him so I say give it another shot!

David said...

Yeah, Mom, that was 6:25 a.m. My average wakeup time over the past 5 days is 5:45 a.m.

Anonymous said...

Do people not realize how dangerous it is to leave babies/kids in cars unattended? There was recently a push for legislation in KS to make it a misdemenor to leave a child under age 9 in a car by themselves! I think you should write a letter to the board asking them to PLEASE never give that advice to anyone again. Sheesh!

Have you thought about taking Emma to visit nursing homes instead? That could be fun, I'm sure it would be the highlight of the month for most of the ladies at a nursing home to get to see Emma!

Catherine said...

And from the other side of the fence:

my mom has delivered meals since I can remember. She took one (or six or seven) of us along each time. There were times it was TRULY frightening. She had to call for help several times because someone had fallen, was very ill or was being too loud or violent due to confusion/dementia. We spent a lot of time in and out of houses with illness, death or just smells that were hard to cope with. We cleaned up a lot of "stuff" from beds and floors. I know this isn't part of the meals program, but what do you do, leave it?

I applaud your ideas and think you are SO giving. Have you thought of making little crafts or cookies or something and hanging out in a retirement community or nursing home? Many don't get visitors but are also attended to during the day (so accidents are cleaned up, etc).

In fact, we'd love to join you! We have no g'ma's and g'pa's locally and are missing a big part of life!

Anonymous said...

Whoa--what is wrong with people? I suppose it just proves that no good deed goes unpunished! This just wasn't meant to be, and I'm sure that the right volunteer opportunity for you both to do will come along. I second the idea that you write a letter to them explaining how wrong their terms were, and how dangerous.