This has been around for awhile but maybe someone needs a reminder today.
Moms.... you are IMPORTANT!!!!!
A woman, renewing her driver's license at the County
Clerk's office, was asked by the woman recorder to state
her occupation. Emily had 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 Emily. "I'm a
mother."
"We don't list 'mother' 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, ballpoint 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
(6 months) in the child-development program,
testing out a new vocal pattern.
I felt triumphant! 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 mother."
Motherhood...what a glorious career. Especially when
there's a title on the door.
Send this to another Mother you know. Whether a stay
at home Mom or a career Mom, we should all carry this
title.
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!!!
Moms.... you are IMPORTANT!!!!!
A woman, renewing her driver's license at the County
Clerk's office, was asked by the woman recorder to state
her occupation. Emily had 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 Emily. "I'm a
mother."
"We don't list 'mother' 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, ballpoint 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
(6 months) in the child-development program,
testing out a new vocal pattern.
I felt triumphant! 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 mother."
Motherhood...what a glorious career. Especially when
there's a title on the door.
Send this to another Mother you know. Whether a stay
at home Mom or a career Mom, we should all carry this
title.
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!!!
, at least during the school year.
