For Mothers

For Mothers
(Author Unknown)

A few months ago, when I was picking up the children at school,
another mother I knew well rushed up to me. Emily was fuming with
indignation. "Do you know what you and I are?" she demanded. Before I
could answer, and I didn't really have one handy, she blurted out the
reason for her question. It seemed she had just returned from
renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk's office. Asked by
the woman clerk 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.
And 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 pompous 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 in
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.

Whether a stay at home Mom or a career Mom, we should all carry this
title.