RE:Motherhood...a glorious career

[Guest guest]

A New Title for a MOM

A woman named 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 . " 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, (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

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 " .