This is one of those things that floats around the internet. Originally titled Ten Commandments of Being a Girl Scout Parent, I've rewritten it a bit to include all kids' clubs. They are things I often wish my Girl Scout parents would keep in mind, and things I try to keep in mind as a club parent, myself.
1. Thou shall be prompt in arrivals and departures--also in turning in monies due.
Prompt arrival ensures activities get started on time and your child doesn't miss anything. Picking up your child on time allows the leader or coach to get back to her life. Getting dues or fees in on time assures that the leader can purchase supplies, snacks and awards, pay for field trips or equipment and benefits the entire group.
2. Thou shall see that thy daughter arrives in uniform with appropriate supplies.
Uniforms are easy enough to remember when you're playing sports, but may get forgotten for those weekly meeting clubs. Uniforms create a sense of belonging to the group and build a sense of pride as your child shows off her awards and accomplishments.
You child can't play baseball without her glove, right? What about books and notebooks? If your child is participating in a club that requires them, be sure she has them. It is just as difficult to complete requirements and goals without books as it is to catch a softball without a glove.
Being sure your child has everything she needs makes a more pleasant and fuller club experience for her. She may miss out on something if she doesn't have the required supplies.
3. Thou shall not wait to be called upon to help.
Plan on staying at meetings (practices, games) to help once in a while. The leaders (coaches) may struggle alone rather than taking the time to make phone calls.
I know we're all busy, but a little help goes a long way. If every parent who's involved with each club just put in a little effort -- one field trip, one day in the dugout -- it would go a long way with the volunteers who make these clubs possible.
4. Thou shall take time at home to help thy child with his achievements.
Leaders cannot possibly do all achievements at their meetings without boredom soon setting in and lack of time to complete them all. Some achievements must be done at home. The same goes with practice for any sport or requirements for any club. Your child spends a limited time at his club. To get the most from his experience, he will need to put in some time at home.
5. Thou shall accompany thy child to events.
If thou cannot, thou shall make arrangements with another parent to take responsibility for your child's transportation and behavior. This other parent is NOT to be the leader.
Coaches and leaders already put in a lot of time to assure your child has a quality program. They have a lot to organize for any event they attend. Don't add to that. Finding another parent to help you out allows the coach to concentrate on his own duties.
An important note: be sure the coach know if you child will be going home with another parent. Our local Girl Scout council requires a written note before we can release a child to someone else. It's a safety issue!
6. Thou shall keep thy own child under control when you are present at functions.
It is awkward for a leader to reprimand a child when her parent is sitting right there! Thou shall reinforce with thy child that the rules of the meeting place are to be obeyed.
If you have other children with you, they need to behave, also. Nothing is more disruptive than children running through a meeting and can be dangerous if a little one wanders onto a ball field.
7. Thou shall set a good example for our children during functions and games.
Thou shall be a good sport about participating in the fun and games and keeping annoying chit-chat to a minimum during ceremonies and awards.
OK, perhaps grown-up chit-chat during quiet events is even more disruptive than unruly children. It certainly sets a bad example and tells the children that their event isn't important to you.
8. Thou shall honor thy troop leaders with TLC.
A smile and a kind word of gratitude will make up for a lot of noise and rowdiness.
From experience, I can tell you this is so true! Leader, coaches and any volunteer who works with children expects a certain amount of craziness, and that's OK, but it can be tiring. Sometimes simply knowing they're appreciated makes all the difference.
9. Thou shall "call in sick" when thy child has to miss a meeting or practice
There will undoubtedly be something you need to know, and three absent children makes three more phone calls for an already-overloaded leader. A heads-up phone call means the leader isn't waiting for your child to show up and can let you know what he's missing so he won't fall behind.
10. Above all, thou shall remember that the leader's job is one you didn't want.
Do whatever you can to make that job easier.
Know how I came to be a Girl Scout leader? The troop my daughter was going to join was losing it's leaders as their daughters moved on. It was either do it myself, or not have a troop for my daughter.
Know how my co-leaders came to be Girl Scout leaders? They wanted their daughters to join Girl Scouts and I needed more adults. They joined, or their children didn't.
A lot of adults volunteer to be leaders and coaches because it's either them, or no program. Most find they enjoy it more then they expected, but the job is still a lot of work, time and energy. By simply putting in a little effort, you can help them reserve that energy to keep the program going.