JUST A MOM?

[Beta]

This was a forward I received. I thought you ladies might like it.


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, (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.

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.'

"I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her." Genesis 17:16

 

[sweetlissa]

I have always worked and have never had children that I had to raise from infancy. For years I have asked, "Do you work outside the home? Or is your family your career?"

Hope that doesn't offend anyone, either way? Cause I have much respect for those that leave their career to raise their family.

In our family the goal has been that I would work outside the home while T takes care of me and daPastor. We all then have the benefits of a dual income but also the benefits of a full time homemaker.

SweetLissa

 

[Beta]

For years I have asked, "Do you work outside the home? Or is your family your career?"

I think that's a really good question Sweetlissa...'Is your family your career?' I have a spiritual daughter who still studies and always talks about her 'projects'. But she had to take time off to take care of her dying mom, who she said was her current 'project'. But she said it in a good way.

I've been thinking that women were created to have people for their 'project' or 'career'. Because whether it's to meet the needs of a husband, raise the best little people in the world, interact positively with people outside of the home and/or on a job, or mentor spiritually, a woman is, I believe, at her best taking care of people. Not in the same way as men - not as responsible leaders who negotiate with the outside world for the sake of the family but as caring and nurturing sources at the heart core of where the people are at.

I believe that some jobs use this calling of women, and some only partly, and some not at all. I don't believe that wives or moms completely fulfill or know to do everything they could be doing in those roles. I think those roles come first, before interaction or mentoring of others sent to us by the Lord, whether in daily life or on the job. We all have our loved ones we have been placed with to care for, however we can do so. Sometimes we can do so physically, other times we resort to patience and prayer and maybe a phone call.

All women don't have children, but all have a calling and a talent that is beautiful when she can use it to the fullest. All deserve a title that fits that calling.

 

[sweetlissa]

What you said about some jobs fulfilling the need to be caregivers is very important. I believe that is why my job right now is not satisfying to me. I care about numbers and stuff, not people. What I deal with is 3 or 4 times removed from the people that we effect, so it feels like I don't care for anyone but my co-workers.

SweetLissa

 

[Beta]

I worked for a time as a tax preparer, and for a time as a pension analyst. In both cases I had my own clients and I absolutely loved it. In the one case I interacted with the people, in the other case it was phone contact only, but in both cases I was very serious about caring for my own clients in the best way possible. Any other type of job did not give that kind of satisfaction. With them it was just about the money. Now, I'm all about people and I'm home!