Just a Mom?

My mom emailed me this story a while ago when I was struggling with being "Just a Mom." This is for all other moms out there.

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 unsure of 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 in possession of a high sounding title like, "Official Interragator" 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 questionairre.

"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 labratory 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 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, all 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 distiguished and indispensible to mankind than "just another Mom." Motherhood!

What a glorious career, especially when there's a title on the door!

Does that make Grandmothers, "Executive Senior Research Associates?" I think so! I also think it makes Aunts, "Associate Research Assistants!"

Being a mom is by far the hardest job there is out there and it is about the most unappreciated job on top of that. We never get to call in sick or get a lunch break, we just go go go all day every day! It's about time we started calling ourselves more than just a mom. Instead we should hold our heads high and say proudly, "Yes! I am a Mother!" What a blessing it is to be trusted with such sweet little spirits to raise and teach the things of this world! I am proud to say that I am a Mother!