Saturday, April 14, 2012

Sharing It Saturday, and WOW how inventive was this wonderful woman called Mother...


Stay at Home Mom is a generic term for a Research Associate in the field of Child 
Development and Human Relations:


A woman, renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk's office was asked 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.


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8 comments:

Julie Page said...

WOW! I love it!! That is so funny, but absolutely the truth! : )

Sandra said...

How funny. I can relate to that. So many times people get mad at me when I tell them I don't have a work number after I've given them my home number. It's the greatest job on earth and the rewards are far better than money, indeed.

Jan said...

Great post, and wouldn't it be wonderful if all mothers took their position as seriously.
Love and blessings.

Cathy said...

That is great, especially for such a time as this :) Blessings ~

Theresa said...

I am certainly a "Senior Research Associates in the field of Child Development and Human Relations"! Great post:) Thanks for sharing! HUGS!

Kathleen said...

I've done both: motherhood AND career; and I can tell you I worked much harder at home than I ever did in the office. Love this post!

Dee said...

I guess it is how we look at our self and our own worth that makes us acceptable to others...there is no such thing as just a mom or just a housewife. Loved the story. :)

Sarah said...

hahaha that really made me chuckle! :) So clever!