As a military spouse I, like many of you, have spent thousands of hours doing volunteer work at various duty stations. While at our last duty station I was involved in 4 different volunteer activities on/ near post. One day my son (age 10) asked me how much I get paid for volunteering…
My response: Nothing. I'm a volunteer.
Son: WHAT!?!?! You do all this work and you don't get paid???!!!
Me: That's why it's called volunteering. I choose to volunteer my time and talents because I want to – not to get paid.
Son: But that's not fair!
So I explained the concept of volunteering and why I (and so many others) do it. He seemed to be a bit more accepting after that.
Now I have a job with a paycheck (YAY!!!). The other night my son asked me how much I get paid – I told him it was none of his concern. Then he asked if I am volunteering or getting paid (not sure why since he just asked how much I got paid). I again told him I get paid for the work I do. And his response:
"Oh. So you are in a paid volunteer position."
Ummm… not exactly.
Cracked me up!
Out of the mouths of babes…
About Joan D'Arc
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Too funny! Shortly after I had my fourth child, the then four and six year old would ask me when I was going to "sign up" for work again. I had to explain to them that it's not quite that easy!
Great story! My mother had much the same experience years ago (…meaning: we kids asked the same questions your son did LOL!)
It worked out very well for mom. These were the old days, and dad didn't like the idea of her "working", but he was o.k. with "volunteering". Then when they started paying her what she was worth, she quietly banked it. It made a HUGE difference in our lifestyle, that's for sure! Eventually this led to another line of work which led to a pension which is quite useful now that she's elderly. My mom's smart!!
Enjoy your gig, and thanks for the great story!
too cute!