JUST A MOM?
09-04-2010, 02:22 PM
#1
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Crystal River Florida
Posts: 9,785
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, 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, (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! Moreover, I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to humankind than 'just another Mom.'
Motherhood!
What a glorious career! Especially when there is 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.'
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, 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, (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! Moreover, I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to humankind than 'just another Mom.'
Motherhood!
What a glorious career! Especially when there is 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.'
09-04-2010, 02:54 PM
#3
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 205
I really wish I had thought of that one time in the bank, trying to convince the manager that I was a "MOTHER" not a "HOUSEWIFE" which is what he insisted on putting down on his form.
I told him I had never married a house, I did not stay home during the day to take care of the house. I worked 24/7 raising my children, because I was a MOTHER!
He quit arguing with me, but I saw him write housewife, my blood still boils when I think of it.
I told him I had never married a house, I did not stay home during the day to take care of the house. I worked 24/7 raising my children, because I was a MOTHER!
He quit arguing with me, but I saw him write housewife, my blood still boils when I think of it.
09-04-2010, 05:13 PM
#8
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: RVing in USA and Canada
Posts: 1,413
I love this. Wouldn't it be nice if our culture recognized the value of motherhood and fatherhood. Not to mention those who have lived for many years and all the experience they have to offer - our greatest teachers.
09-04-2010, 06:17 PM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Orange Park, Florida
Posts: 995
Ditter I have printed this and it is going on the wall above my sewing machine with the other one about Reunions. This was really really good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yea Ditter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!
09-05-2010, 09:03 AM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Oak Ridge TN
Posts: 733
I AM A "Senior Research associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations"
3 years ago I bought a small rental house as retirement investment instead of a 401K. When I contracted to buy the house I qualified for the loan on my own (I was working then) but the older MALE loan officer (small town-small bank) mentioned to me that he did not think that a married woman should buy a house without having her husband on the paperwork. At the closing I find my DH is listed first on the deed jointly with me and I am the only person listed on the loan. Loan officer produces a a letter signed by my DH giving me power POA to sign his name during the purchase. I was DUMBFOUNDED and continued the closing only because there had been another offer on the house. DH explained that while he was at the bank making his weekly deposit the Sat. before the closing on Monday the receptionist tells him that they had some papers for him to sign and proceeds to tell him that I would not get the loan if he did not sign the POA paper. That it was the only way that my assets could be "protected". If something happened to me the house would automatically revert to DH. He had not told me because he did not want me to be upset because I was so happy about the house. My real estate agent (male) was angrier than I was and reported the loan officer to the president of the bank (to no avail)
Sometimes you cannot escape the "Good Ole Boy" system.
3 years ago I bought a small rental house as retirement investment instead of a 401K. When I contracted to buy the house I qualified for the loan on my own (I was working then) but the older MALE loan officer (small town-small bank) mentioned to me that he did not think that a married woman should buy a house without having her husband on the paperwork. At the closing I find my DH is listed first on the deed jointly with me and I am the only person listed on the loan. Loan officer produces a a letter signed by my DH giving me power POA to sign his name during the purchase. I was DUMBFOUNDED and continued the closing only because there had been another offer on the house. DH explained that while he was at the bank making his weekly deposit the Sat. before the closing on Monday the receptionist tells him that they had some papers for him to sign and proceeds to tell him that I would not get the loan if he did not sign the POA paper. That it was the only way that my assets could be "protected". If something happened to me the house would automatically revert to DH. He had not told me because he did not want me to be upset because I was so happy about the house. My real estate agent (male) was angrier than I was and reported the loan officer to the president of the bank (to no avail)
Sometimes you cannot escape the "Good Ole Boy" system.
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