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Wednesday, February 22, 2006

From My Email ...

I received this in my email inbox today. Although it has done the rounds, and many of you may have already read it, I thought it was too good not to share anyway ....

A woman named Emily renewing her driver's license at the Transport office was asked by the clerk to state her occupation. She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.

"What I mean is," explained the clerk, "do you have a job, or are you just a ......?

"Of course I have a job," snapped Emily. "I'm a Mum."

"We don't list 'Mum' as an occupation...... 'housewife' covers it," said the clerk emphatically.

I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation, this time at our local police station. 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, 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 programme 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 bloody 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 girl's voice as she completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door.


When I got home, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages 10, 7, and 3. Upstairs, I could hear our new experimental model, (a 6 month old baby), in the child-development programme, testing out a new vocal pattern. I felt I had triumphed over bureaucracy! And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than "just another Mum."

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".

Isn't that just wonderful ??? I thought so ... hope you did too !!

Have a great day,

MEOW

24 comments:

Meow (aka Connie) said...

I agree !! Thanks for coming by, Madelyn. Take care, Meow

Dick said...

That is accurate here in the US, too. No job is more important than raising our next generation.

I have a couple of questions. I read through your archives last night and that sunset photo in the 15 Dec post is beautiful! Is a Caravan what I would call an RV (recreational vehicle)? It sounds like that & yours has some add on buildings attached so it probably would be hard to take on the road. Is it a trailer? What size? I have a few photos of my RV on my blog.

What digital camera are you using? Are you using software to save the images and rework them?

It is great that your family goes out on "camping" trips. Your daughter will have some good memories from them as will the two of you. Take lots of photos and be sure to ID them with who, when & where. Thirty years later it gets hard to remember. Also make sure you get in a lot of them, not just staying behind the camera.

Meow (aka Connie) said...

Hi Dick. Wow, you must have done some reading !!!! OK, in answer to your questions ...
A caravan is what you guys call a trailer, I guess. It is hooked onto the back of your car, but is fitted out with everything like an RV, but seperate to the car (does that make sense !!). Ours is permanently on-site, about 25 foot long (I think), and has an aluminium annexe attached on a concrete slab floor. It has a real bathroom, and is used like a holiday home. We have added decking, railing, virtually another whole outdoor living area. This caravan can never be towed, as it's tow-hitch has been sawn off !!
My camera is a Kodak DX6490, with 4 megapixel, and 10 optical zoom. Sometimes I use software to "play" with the photos, usually I just use them "as is".
Believe me, I take heaps of photos. We went travelling for almost 7 weeks last year, and I took almost 2000 photos. I am in a few !!
Love reading about your travels, Dick. They are fabulous.
I will post this same answer on your blog, in case you miss it here.
Take care, Meow

Jenn said...

Very cool, I liked that. I have never seen that one, although maybe nobody has forwarded it to me because I am not a mum. :)

Meow (aka Connie) said...

Jenn, it has done the rounds here in Australia a couple of times. Maybe it didn't make it your way !!! Take care, Meow

Chrixean said...

That was a cool story! I may just forward this because I haven't received it in my email yet... :-) Thanks, btw for coming to my party! And no, you weren't gate crashing. You're always welcome to come back for a visit :-)

Meow (aka Connie) said...

Chrixean, thanks for having me !!! Be my guest with the email, it's always fun to share. Take care, Meow

FRIDAY'S CHILD said...

Being a grandmother already. I do agree with the title. At least it's better than just grandma. You bet, people sometimes can be so annoying. They think being just a mom or what they call a plain housewife is belittling. Little do they know we are better even than their CPAs, we can manage our budget and make everything fit till the next month. (lol)

Meow (aka Connie) said...

Fridays Child ... Being a mum is the most fulfilling, challenging, wonderful job in the whole world, as far as I'm concerned. Nothing can match it in the skills that are required. And you, being a grandmother, have excelled and are now teaching those skills. Take care, meow

Meow (aka Connie) said...

True Blue Guy ... yep, kids sure do need their mums. Thanks, take care, Meow

x said...

hehe. if mothers (and grandmothers and sometimes aunts and all women who care for kids voluntarily) got paid accordinlgy, we'd be the richest people on earth.

eyes_only4him said...

that was too good...

that is what I will be referring myslef to as from now on;)

Aud*2020 said...

How cute! I'd seen this one before, but it's been awhile. I would refer to myself as one if I could ever remember such an official-sounding title in its entirety without cracking up!

Meow (aka Connie) said...

Chloe ... I agree. With all the skills mothers need, there isn't even a job description that would do it justice, either.

Dad ... yeah, that sounds good. Or "sidekick" perhaps (just kidding !!). Thanks for dropping by, nice to meet new people. Please come back again.

Bossy Britches ... I think I might, too. You go, girl !!

Double Oh No ... I think that's the problem - the title is too long to remember !! Thanks for dropping by, I quickly visited your blog, and will be back later to read some more.

Susie ... no, dad can't be the CEO ... that would be mum, too ... a dual role. lol :-)

DaybyDay ... mums are important. Don't ever doubt that.

Have a great day, everyone, take care, Meow

Greeneyes said...

Hi meow,
hope you had a great nights sleep , I figured out the time difference s between us an put it in your last post on my blog ! anyway your ahead of the game he he . hope to catch you soon, must go hubby want me to watch a yucky movie , he has bad taste in films shhhhhh dont tell him he he
take care meow meow
Greeneyes

Meow (aka Connie) said...

Hi Greeneyes, yes I'm on Thursday morning, you are still Wednesday night ... I guess !! Enjoy the movie (I won't tell him !!!). Take care, Meow

Heidi said...

I have never seen that and I'm glad I did...Going to pass that around as well.

Meow (aka Connie) said...

Hi Heidi, be my guest and pass it around ... the more people that realise mothers are wonderful people the better !!! Take care, Meow

Cathy said...

SO TRUE!

Skye said...

I love it,!!! :)

Jamie Dawn said...

I had not read this before. That's a goodie!!!

The AFLAC thing at my blog was funny because there are commercials here in the US that feature a duck that says nothing but "AFLAC!!" AFLAC is an insurance company.

Meow (aka Connie) said...

Cathy ... isn't it just !!

SkyBlue ... thank you, so do I !!

Jamie ... I am surprised it hasn't done the rounds via email in your neck of the woods. I've seen it a few times !! The AFLAC thing ... thanks for explaining. Shame we don't see some of your funny ads !!

Take care, everyone, Meow

Ruby said...

That's a good one! I'm not a mother myself but I just spent three weeks home and spent so much time with my 3 months old nephew. That was such an experience!!! I think being a Mum is a great job!!!

Meow (aka Connie) said...

Ruby ... kids certainly keep you busy ... at least you were able to hand them back !!! Being a mum is amazing, frustrating, fulfilling, annoying, and any other description you can give it. But most of all it is the most wonderful occupation (if you can call it that)a woman could ever have. I wouldn't change my life for the world. Take care, Meow