Just A Mom

Tahliba · (#1 (**permalink**))

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 m 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, (first the Lord and then the whole 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.

Dis Guy · (#2 (**permalink**))

four credits= 4 daughters
i wonder what the male child would be
a distinction or a pass?

snally · (#3 (**permalink**))

Motherhood is not an occupation, it’s a choice.

There’s far too much of this bra burning rhetoric.

If you want a real job, just pop down to your local job centre

LadyDay · (#4 (**permalink**))

Tahliba
that was sooooooooooo good
@snally not all people can naturally have that choice so hush up your gums

Melissa · (#5 (**permalink**))

Wouldn't the 'bra burners' be against mothrehood for all women?

Tahliba · (#6 (**permalink**))

@Snally & Dis Guy

You missed the point...And I doubt you will ever get it.

A boy child would have made it 5 credits, instead of 4...But I'm sure if all of the children turn out ok, then it would be 4(or 5) distinctions.

snally · (#7 (**permalink**))

Tahliba what is ‘it’ I don’t understand?

Ladyday don’t you mean hush your mouth? You must be Bajan.

Dis Guy · (#8 (**permalink**))

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tahliba

@Snally & Dis Guy

You missed the point...And I doubt you will ever get it.

A boy child would have made it 5 credits, instead of 4...But I'm sure if all of the children turn out ok, then it would be 4(or 5) distinctions.

how snotty can you get

thanks anyway I get it now

I def know some people got real life issues!

Tahliba · (#9 (**permalink**))

My chosen career is in management. I would like to be the manager of a small 'household' composed of a team of individuals with differing needs and personalities. This job is commonly referred to by the derogatory term 'Housewife'.

The basic functions of this job are to provide leadership, support and general supervion of the team. Also to provide overall direction and administraton of the operation of the household. The job also requires that you be able to perform competently the following functions; nurse; teacher; cleaner; cheif; nutristionist; councellor; decorator; social secretary; recreation officer; book keeper; and companionship.

I have choosen this career because I enjoy working with and looking after people; Also this job being community based, would involve my woking wit a variety of people, under various circumstances.

Furthermore, it is the type of job that would not only allow meto work on my own initative and without supervision, but would stretch my practical skills to full capacity.

Although this paticular job is under estimated, aswell as grossly undervalued, by both those inside and outside the career. Thus resulting in it being underpaid or unpaid with few if any benefits. For example there are no guaranted compansation, superannuation or insurance schemes. I believe that this job, although demanding would be very rewarding .

I also feel I have the particular skills, stamina and character necessary to succed in the job.

This particular area of management requires practical skillls and common sense rather than formal qualifications. For example, applicants for such a job would need to be adaptable in order to handle all new development in the lives of the team aswell as on the operations of the household, including emergencies and serious crisis.

Flexability is also a requirement of the post, since the manager will be required to perform a number of conflicting tasks at the same time.

This post also requires applicants to be healthy, active, creative and outgoing, with unlimited drive to encourage the physical and social development of the team.

In order to be successful at ths job the manager must be commited, self-motivated, independant and able to work in isolation.

However, since the manager is responsible for the mental, physical and emotional well being of the team they must have the strongest sense of responsibility aswell as imagination, sensitivity, warmth, love and understanding.

Above all the post requires an extrodinary strong sense of humour.

Afriki · (#10 (**permalink**))

Maybe it's different in the UK but I haven't heard the term "housewife" used since never unless it was referencing the 1950s.
In the states there are almost always options under 'occupation' that state 'stay-at-home-mom' and even 'students'.

Neither of which is technically an "occupation" which is defined as a means of earning a living, but I would consider them work. Just because it's an "occupation" doesn't mean it's hard work and just because it's not an occupation doesn't mean it's not hard work so I don't see what's wrong with having a distinction between having an occupation and being a stay-at-home mom since neither defines a person's work ethic or the level of difficulty.

I understand and appreciate the point, but in real life if someone were to tell me that their occupation was "mom" I would think that's reaching and would not agree with 'stay-at-home-mom' as an occupation.