Until recently I've been "just a mom". I stayed home with my kids to raise them and I loved almost every minute of it. All the magic I'd forgotten from my own childhood came alive again watching my kids make discoveries of the world around them. We'd go for walks along the beach, stopping at the park for a swing and a play on the way home. Coffee with the other moms was usually at my house since I was the only one with a yard, and there were days where people would arrive after breakfast and others would still be there for an impromptu bar-b-q dinner. It was fun, and far more rewarding than any "career" I'd ever imagined I might want.

The only downside was the attitude other people have about the stay-at-home mom. I'd go to business dinners with my husband, and when asked what I "do", I'd smile watching the other person struggle trying to think what they could possibly say that I might be able to discuss with them. The irony, of course, is that I read 2 newspapers front to back every morning, so I probably knew more about what was going on in the world than they all did.

Most people assume that all a stay-at-home parent can talk about is their kids, but have any of them listened to their own coversations? The main topic of discussion at all those dinners was.... work. Did they really think ANY of the significant others were interested? Are their own lives as narrow as they assumed mine was?

I'm working now, and I love my job, but I miss being home for my kids. I miss driving on the field trips and I miss volunteering in the school library. My days and hours allow me to be home shortly after they get home, and quite often one or both of them will meet me at the office so we can go to Starbuck's together.

The following story is one I first read years ago - I even used the "job title" in my profile here for a while. I recently found it again (thanks 1), and wanted to share 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."

[align=center]Motherhood!
What a glorious career!

Especially when there's a title on the door.[/align]

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".

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