A few weeks ago I reached out to DU for ideas to help me get used to retirement.

[redstatebluegirl]

Someone suggested I tutor. I contacted some schools with at risk students that are close and got a response almost right away. I began tutoring math and social studies (yes I am an odd ball that way). I love it!!! I love being able to give kids help who would not normally be able to afford it. Tutoring gives rich kids a leg up, it always has, they have access to it in all subjects if they need it. I feel like I am making a difference for kids who need it. It has made me feel so good!

I got my second shot a couple of weeks ago, so I will be going back to my volunteer work at the library soon as well. If any of you are feeling sorry for yourselves, or looking for something to do, offer to online tutor!!!! We all have something to share, they especially need tutors in science and math.

Thanks for being my extended family DU!!!

[Blue Owl]

1. Wonderful!

And thanks for sharing this great update!

[nolabear]

2. Thank you SO much for exemplifying what I keep saying.

We elders provide an incredible amount as volunteers, work we do for no pay, simply to contribute. Our health and success is the world’s health and success.

You got good help from DU and passed it on to others. That’s what Democrats should aspire to be.

[redstatebluegirl]

5. I get so much more from these young people than I could ever give them!

It has been a blessing! We all have something to share, I just thought with the pandemic there was nothing I could do. I never thought of online tutoring! This place is special for sure!

[Hekate]

3. This warms the cockles of my heart...

Thank you for doing it and thank you for the update!

[JudyM]

4. Online tutoring is a fabulous idea.

So glad you’re enjoying it! What a gift.

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

6. Suggestion-

enroll in RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program). Just google it for the county you live in and see what comes up. It doesn't cost you anything and when things get back to sorta like they were, RSVP can help you find LOTS of stuff to do. Stuff you want to do. In the interest of full disclosure, I am an RSVP recruiter in the county where I live. But in a few months I will be a retiree like you!

[redstatebluegirl]

7. Thanks!

[BobTheSubgenius]

8. Good for you!

A significant part of my wife's former job was mentoring kids, and she really loved it, too. Her input wasn't academic, but more about life and opportunities.

It was significant to the kids, too. Some of them are still in touch with her today, and she left that job almost 10 years ago. There are a couple that go way, way back.

Rewarding? What do you think?

[redstatebluegirl]

9. I think that is great! I still keep in touch with quite a few of my former students.

The only reason I stay on facebook is to see how they are doing, see pictures of their kids and spouses, see what they are doing professionally. Once you have worked with young people it is really hard to just go cold turkey and walk away. Your wife is one of us!

[seta1950]

10. Great idea

I’m glad it worked out for you

[Jilly_in_VA]

11. Wonderful!

Whatever works for you, and I'm glad for both you and the kids that it's tutoring. My mom tutored kids in reading for several years and loved it. Tutoring is not it for me. I'm a retired RN and I was volunteering with RAM (Remote Area Medical) but I was getting kind of tired of driving all over hell and half of Virginia and Tennessee, so I started volunteering at the local SPCA shelter. I think all of us retired folks can volunteer some way or other, even those who have to do it from home. I'm reminded of the person who used to call and check on my elderly grandmother daily when my parents were on vacation (she lived with them).

[redstatebluegirl]

12. I think you just need to find the right thing.

I was losing my mind sitting at home. I had run out of books to read and I"m not a TV person so it was really hard being away from people all of a sudden.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

13. Thank you for your uplifting message!

And thanks for being a real contributor to healing what ails our society.

[SunSeeker]

14. That is awesome! Thank for helping those kids!

[BlueIdaho]

15. I am so happy for you!

I was a classroom teacher for more than 30 years. I am so please you are finding the joy to be had from helping others!

[Native]

16. Another thing I'd love to see is tutoring kids on getting accepted to college

Not just filling out college applications and writing essays, but starting earlier like 9th grade to help them choose courses and extracurriculars that will enhance their applications. Guidance counselors spend their time putting out fires. Unless you attend a private preparatory school, or your parents have the experience and time to help you with this, you are SOL.

[redstatebluegirl]

19. I have done a bit of this for friends over the years.

That is something that is really needed, especially by first generation college students. Kids whose parents did not attend college are more frightened of the whole experience than other prospective students.

[Native]

20. Me too. I got a group of first generation college kids into Ivies.

It was very easy to do. The kids were super motivated, so I only had to guide them.

[COL Mustard]

17. Well Done!

I hope to follow you into retirement in the not terribly distant future, and as you say, gotta have something to fill the time. That’s an excellent way!

[idahoblue]

18. Volunteering is the key

My husband volunteers to do the same job he retired from. But. Now he just has to do the fun part, no budget, no hiring, he can walk away whenever he wants to.

I have volunteered for our local arts community, local campaigns for office, whatever. I swore that I would never volunteer for the job I left. But now I have reactivated my nursing license and am giving shots. It is great fun to care for so many happy and relieved people.

[sarchasm]

21. i love this!

inspiring! thank you!

[FlyingPiggy]

22. You are amazing! You are changing lives. Thank you for your service.

[Beringia]

23. That's good

[CaptainTruth]

24. Glad to hear it! It sounds like fun & a great way to pay it forward.

[Hoochie Coochie Man]

26. Good weed

Enjoy retirement!

[turbinetree]

27. You are great, anyone that will help teach to advance people to be educated is wonderful

it makes you stronger and makes the kids stronger and the country stronger.......good for you....and oh yeah enjoy retirement

[mahina]

28. You're lucky, the kids are lucky! Here's Dave Eggers' Ted Talk :)

[ProfessorGAC]

29. That's Great!

Same reason I started substitute teaching.
I'm an avid golfer, but winters & golf don't play nice together!
So, I sub in the winters, and on rainy days in the golf months.
(I sub math & science, grades 6-12. As a retired scientist, it's right up my alley.)
I'm glad you enjoy it, too!

[Hotler]

30. Well played....

[electric_blue68]

31. This is wonderful for you to do...

and good for both of you. 👍

You also might want to go through your memories
and see if there's any somewhat inexpensive hobbies you either dropped because of time and/or money, or never started because of the same. Just a thought. 🙂

[efhmc]

32. Thanks. That gave my heart a little bump.

[ailsagirl]

33. This is great to hear

Congratulations! 🎉👏🏽👍

[PatrickforB]

34. I'm really happy to hear that!

I too like both math and social studies. So I don't think you are an 'odd ball' at all.

Still, I have never fit in...so take that with a grain of salt.

[redstatebluegirl]

35. Thanks everyone!

[lillypaddle]

36. Woot!

So happy for you, and happy for the kids with whom you are sharing your gifts. Thank you for being a part of the solution.