Almost 10 years ago, Belinda Holder and her husband, Christian, went from a family of seven to a family of 11 after adopting her three nieces and one nephew. Many wonder how they’re able to balance working full-time, raising nine children and still have time to volunteer and be involved in their kids’ school life. 
“I remember thinking, ‘how are we going to make it,’ and we’ve made it almost a decade,” says Holder. “It’s definitely a balance, but you don’t find the time. You make the time.”
The Holders currently have seven kids in three Irving ISD schools – Brown Elementary, Lamar Middle and Nimitz High schools (the two eldest are currently in college). All are involved in extracurricular activities. They make a point to support each child at their respective schools, with Belinda currently serving as a parent volunteer at Brown, a member of the PTA Executive Board and the Campus Improvement Committee at Lamar and the Nimitz Football Booster and Nimitz Vikas Executive Boards. Through serving on these committees, she’s not only able to be more involved with each child, but she has also been able to build life-long friendships and a sense of community.
“I first started volunteering over 20 years ago when I had my first child at Elliott Elementary School,” she says. “I always wanted to be like the moms I saw growing up who chaperoned and volunteered at the schools, so I made that my mission when I had my first.”
Holder says she’s found huge value in volunteering at her kids’ schools as it’s a way to get immersed in their environment, build relationships with their teachers and campus administration and get to know their friends.
“Setting the tone early is so important,” adds Holder. “People always ask if my kids get embarrassed, and I always say no because they’re so used to it. It’s the expectation now.”
An Irving native and graduate of Irving High School, serving the campuses in the community she grew up in is special for Holder.
“I have felt so blessed to have had nine kids be products of Irving ISD,” she adds.
Holder encourages other parents to make time to be involved on their students’ campuses, no matter the age.
“The kids love and want their parents around,” she says. “It takes a village and a community when raising children.”
When speaking about her parenthood journey and how she’s able to balance it all, she had this to say:
“I’m grateful for God’s grace and my husband Christian. We tag team everything and I couldn’t do what I do without my husband.”
