Willa -
I want to caution you about putting in the volunteer hours. I know it's good for the kids, but
1) Is it good for you? I think 2 hours/month is sufficient to know what's going on and people's faces.
2) I think the Adults in the building respect you LESS when you make your self too availble - think dating: You want to be the glamorous Veronica, not the sweet Betty!
3) I reccomend finding a really low time/energy demand hobby that sounds really impressive that you can chat about with the other adults. Something you enjoy, that builds yourself respect also.
Sad to say, that Mothering, one of the world's most interesting, important, challenging jobs, doesn't impress people much at this particular moment in time and culture. I say, fight back, by making sure you have an alternate identity to impress other with, and nurture yourself.
This isn't meant as a critisism, only as a caution.
Trinity
