Scoutmaster survival can hinge on these three P’s – proportion, perspective and preparation, every Scoutmaster should know:
ProportionYou can only do so much, you have limitations and you have a breaking point. Having a sober estimate of these things about ourselves is important. Your Scouts can only do so much, they have limitations and they have a breaking point. Focus on building their enthusiasm and vision for the possibilities in front of them. Encourage their energy and interest and respond as these things grow.
Before long you’ll be lured into the expanding volunteer space-time vortex. Overextending yourself as a volunteer is is like getting a sunburn – you probably don’t realize it’s happened until it’s too late. There are a lot of people in Scouting who wear several different “hats” (that is they take on several different volunteer positions). If you are asked to occupy another volunteer position in addition to Scoutmaster know what it involves, how long it lasts and how many meetings it will require before you take it on..
PerspectiveYou see the world as an adult, your Scouts see the world as a boy, these are two very different perspectives. You are not right, they are not wrong – it’s just two different ways of looking at things. Enjoy this difference, marvel in it, learn to understand it.
Your son is involved and there’s no way to stop being his parent when you are his Scoutmaster. Accept that you are not a good judge of how well you are handling this and your spouse probably cannot impartially judge this either. Cultivate a fellow parent/leader who will help you maintain some perspective and or step in to work with your son when needed. In exchange you can do the same for them.
Preparation
Training – you will be cajoled, encouraged and everything just short of bullied into Scout leader training. Take advantage of every opportunity to learn more about the job. Read, study, write and think. Some of your experiences as a Scout (if, indeed, you were a Scout) will be relevant to what you do as a Scoutmaster. If you have management, coaching or leadership experience be aware that some of it is transferable but Scouting is different.