posted
I received this in an e-mail this morning and thought I'd share it with all the moms and grandmothers here before I run off to grand jury duty. Hope you all have a great day.
MOM
A woman named Emily 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 Emily. "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". Please send this to another Mom, Grandmother, Aunt, and other friends you know. May the wind sing to you and the sun rise in your heart...
bbbbbbbbb Lynne's knitting journal "I'm spayed, declawed, and housebound - how's YOUR day going???"
From: Rockland County, NY | Registered: Nov 2003
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posted
I loved this. I hate that look people give me when I tell them I'm a SAHM. I worked for 20 years in an office and now I feel like people want to make me feel guilty for staying at home now.
mom's carry so many titles and not just the ones for child development. I wear my self out everyday cleaning and cooking and tending to ashley and the cats and dog, then someone has the gall to say "you just stay at home" makes me want to bite their head off.
thank you so much....now I have a title to go with my job
bbbbbbbbb I try to take one day at a time -- but sometimes several days attack me at once. -Jennifer Unlimited-
From: Arkansas | Registered: Aug 2004
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Domestic Goddess? Hummm...I don't think I quilify as that. That to me implies that I have a woredrobe full of beautiful clothes and nities....my wordrobe looks more like Cinderealla's before she met the fairy god mother.
bbbbbbbbb I try to take one day at a time -- but sometimes several days attack me at once. -Jennifer Unlimited-
From: Arkansas | Registered: Aug 2004
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I've only been a SAHM for just over a year, and I honestly don't think anyone's ever given me the "fish-eye" about it, AND I don't much give a crap about some clerk's opinion of my job, but how about just describing yourself as an "Administrator"? (Cause you know you are the administrator of EVERYTHING when you're at home.) And "Self-employed".
bbbbbbbbb
From: Van Nuys, CA | Registered: Sep 2004
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quote: just clicked on my profile and I don't have an occupation listed... Better go make one up!
Of course,when I read this I had to go check:
I've been on both sides of this Work outside/work inside the home debate. It's really not about which you have to choose, it's about loving your children and teaching them basic skills and family values, I think the perfect scenario if I could afford it and still get benefits would be to work about 25 hours a week. That way you still get adult stimulation !! But still the toughie is who's watching the kids?? (or the parrots) That's the hardest job right there , is finding someone you totally trust with your child.
posted
Thank you so much for the encouragement of knowing I am a SENIOR RESEARCH ASSOC. For your info, today I have been researching the removal of throw~up off various items...couches, chairs...ME. As a matter of fact...my research today has become quite EXTENSIVE. I am now doing a study on why in the @&%& those suppositories for nausea (that knock me on my rear) give my 17 month old more energy than a herd of horses.I have some other fields I will be researching today as well...12 ways to avoid gagging during the diarreah diaper and the actual speed of getting all that stuff to the laundry room without dropping, spilling (or gagging). I would be quite HAPPY to discuss the results of my RESEARCH. Thank you.
bbbbbbbbb
Happiness, like a dessert so sweet. May life give you more than you can ever eat... *** ***
From: The Land of JOY | Registered: Apr 2004
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Just one of the few hazards of the job! Believe me...the benifits FAR out weigh the hazards! We had all of our children raised and were SO excited about enjoy "our" time and our grandbabies.......well, we had to adopt one of our grandbabies when he was born. (he is 17 months now)He is PRECIOUS...and we are OLD! It makes a lot of difference when you haven't done this in 25 years! He has a lot more energy than I...AND he just loves to be outside...so I have a gardening buddy! He ate his first worm last month..he is now a man. He is just having a belly thing today...this to shall pass! Thanks guys!
bbbbbbbbb
Happiness, like a dessert so sweet. May life give you more than you can ever eat... *** ***
From: The Land of JOY | Registered: Apr 2004
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posted
i ate a worm when i was little i hate to change baby diapers when they do the stinky! lol i don't have any little one's right now but i had to change them when i babysat for someone a while back. good luck and hope he gets better!
Snuck a peak at your profile, YOU AIN'T THAT OLD!!!!
But they sure are THAT busy!!!
***Mel,
quote: I think the perfect scenario if I could afford it and still get benefits would be to work about 25 hours a week. That way you still get adult stimulation !! But still the toughie is who's watching the kids?? (or the parrots) That's the hardest job right there , is finding someone you totally trust with your child.
AMEN TO THAT That is my problem too!! Need to find a work at home program!!!! besides all I do here already!!!
Weezie
bbbbbbbbb Weezie
Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it. - Bible - Hebrews 13:2
posted
I am REALLY old (in dog years) and Peanut sure makes me feel OLD!!! He is SO fast and such a climber. As for working at home...where in the world would you find the time? I can't even keep up with the "routine" things...sometimes I get through the day and realize I forgot to comb my hair!!! Not that it means much, it normally looks pretty rough with or without a combing...that's the affect you get from trying to pull it OUT!
bbbbbbbbb
Happiness, like a dessert so sweet. May life give you more than you can ever eat... *** ***
From: The Land of JOY | Registered: Apr 2004
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Celebrating 10 years of helping your gardens grow!
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I hate that look people give me when I tell them I'm a SAHM. I worked for 20 years in an office and now I feel like people want to make me feel guilty for staying at home now. ![[Mad]](mad.gif)
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Yeah, I noticed you had that listed as your occupation in your profile!![[thumb]](graemlins/thumb.gif)
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That's the hardest job right there , is finding someone you totally trust with your child. 
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As a matter of fact...my research today has become quite EXTENSIVE. I am now doing a study on why in the @&%& those suppositories for nausea (that knock me on my rear) give my 17 month old more energy than a herd of horses.I have some other fields I will be researching today as well...12 ways to avoid gagging during the diarreah diaper and the actual speed of getting all that stuff to the laundry room without dropping, spilling (or gagging). I would be quite HAPPY 
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