{
  "id": 4874581,
  "title": "I'm done volunteering at my kids' schools. Now I'm planning to give that time back to myself.",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/im-done-volunteering-at-my-kids-schools-now-im-planning-to-give-that",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-01T13:38:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Insider",
    "slug": "business-insider",
    "url": "https://www.businessinsider.com/no-more-room-parent-mother-done-school-volunteer-2026-9"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In this article, a mother shares her decision to stop volunteering at her children's schools and instead focus on herself. After years of being a room parent and volunteering at her kids' schools, she has reached a point where she feels it's time to give back to herself. Her youngest child is now entering middle school, and her oldest has just turned 20. The author enjoyed volunteering as it allowed her closer contact with her children's teachers and school events, but she is excited to start focusing on her own interests and personal growth. The author acknowledges that volunteering is important for school support, but she has other priorities now that her kids are older. She was previously a civil rights lawyer but has since given up her career, hobbies, and personal time for her children. Now, she has more time and energy to focus on herself and reshape her identity beyond being a mother to young children. While she doesn't regret volunteering for her children, she sees an opportunity to make herself a priority and explore new interests.",
  "summary": "My kids are still in school, but I'm done volunteering. After a decade of being a room parent and helping out, I'm officially retiring.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}