Sew, What's Up

Sew What’s Up Presents

The Sew What’s New Archive

This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was retired in August 2007. It is being provided by “Sew What’s Up,” which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: Sewhappie
Date: 09-23-2006, 10:13 AM (1 of 6)
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
From: bridesmom
Date: 09-26-2006, 09:20 AM (3 of 6)
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
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:dave:
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.
User: MotherInLaw
Member since: 06-25-2005
Total posts: 1118
From: DorothyL
Date: 09-27-2006, 08:26 AM (6 of 6)
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
Sew, What's Up
Search the “Sew What’s New” Archive:
Visit Sew What’s Up for the latest sewing and quilting tips and discussions.
This page was originally located on Sew What’s New (www.sew-whats-new.com) at http://www.sew-whats-new.com/vb/archive/index.php/t-20210.html