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From: Sewhappie
Date: 09-23-2006, 10:13 AM (1 of 6)
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A woman, renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk's office was ask ed by the woman recorder to state her occupation.She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself. "What I mean is," explained the recorder, "do you have a job or are you just a...?""Of course I have a job," snapped the woman."I'm a Mom.""We don't list 'Mom' as an occupation, "housewife covers it," said the recorder emphatically. I forgot all about her story until one day..I found myself in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall. The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient and possessed of a high sounding title like, "Official Interrogator" or "Town Registrar." "What is your occupation?" she probed. What made me say it? I do not know. The words simply popped out. *"I'm a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations."* The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and looked up as though she had not heard right. I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words. Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire. "Might I ask," said the clerk with new interest, "just what you do in your field?" Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply, "I have a continuing program of research, (what mother doesn't) in the laboratory and in the field, (normally I would have said indoors and out). I'm working for my Masters, (the whole darned family) and already have four credits (all daughters). Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities, (any mother care to disagree?) and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it). But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money." There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she completed the form, stood up and personally ushered me to the door. As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3. Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model, (a 6 month old baby) in the child development program, testing out a new vocal pattern. I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy! And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than "just another Mom." Motherhood! . What a glorious career! Especially when there's a title on the door. does this make grandmothers "Senior Research associates in the field of Child Development and Human Relations" and great grandmothers Executive Senior Research Associates"? I think so!!! I also think it makes Aunts "Associate Research Assistants. |
User: Sewhappie
Member since: 10-27-2001 Total posts: 1427 |
From: beachgirl
Date: 09-23-2006, 04:39 PM (2 of 6)
| Boy,do I ever like those titles.!!!!! I never could understand why the most important & underpaid job in the world was called " a housewife ". I didn't marry a house or give birth to one. |
User: beachgirl
Member since: 08-31-2004 Total posts: 615 
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From: bridesmom
Date: 09-26-2006, 09:20 AM (3 of 6)
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That was really good. Nowadays it seems stay at home moms are far and few between, and not by choice. My DD's hubby stayed home one weekend with the munchkin while she went away and I think it was quite and eye opener for him, and that's only one little toddler! Motherhood is definitely one of the most demanding and exhausting careers, but I think the most rewarding.
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: beachgirl
Date: 09-27-2006, 12:28 AM (4 of 6)
| Laura, I sure agree with you, it is the most rewarding. Also the hardest & most important job ever. No manual instructions at all. Just have to wing it & pray your doing it right.All 4 of mine were each different. Even the twins. What worked on one it didn't the other 3. I still think that when a child is born it should pop out with instructions on it's little bottom. Attached forever & change with each age group. Might even come in handy for our hubby's to have that too . I do have one advantage there though. He has hazel eyes & they change color with his moods. That does help me at times to know his moods. |
User: beachgirl
Member since: 08-31-2004 Total posts: 615
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From: MotherInLaw
Date: 09-27-2006, 12:49 AM (5 of 6)
That country song says it all, "Mr Mom" by Lonestar. If every husband had one week to spend with the kids and let the Mom's take off then maybe they would take a new attitude of respect toward their other half. Mine always said I had a hard job but I don't think he really ever realized just what he was saying. Of course everytime I went to the hospital to have another little bundle of joy my Mother kept the others. LOL
I'm regressing back into my youth, I just have to figure out how I'm going to convience my body to come along with me.
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User: MotherInLaw
Member since: 06-25-2005 Total posts: 1118 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 09-27-2006, 08:26 AM (6 of 6)
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My husband was as good at parenting as I was, sometimes better, I think. That was a job we shared equally and our girls benefited from it. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
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