P
Phyllis
Just a Mom ?
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 mor e 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 Assoc iates"? I think so!!! I also think it makes Aunts
"Associate Research Assistants.
Might want to send this to another Mom, Grandmother, Aunt, and other
friends you know.
May your troubles be less, your blessings be more and nothing but
happiness come through your door!
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 mor e 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 Assoc iates"? I think so!!! I also think it makes Aunts
"Associate Research Assistants.
Might want to send this to another Mom, Grandmother, Aunt, and other
friends you know.
May your troubles be less, your blessings be more and nothing but
happiness come through your door!
