Annette Yunker

Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human RelationsA friend sent this to me. This is long, but gave me a chuckle



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 recorder 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.
The Images of Mother:
4 YEARS OF AGE ~ My Mommy can do anything!
8 YEARS OF AGE ~ My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot!
12 YEARS OF AGE ~ My Mother doesn't really know
quite everything.
14 YEARS OF AGE ~ Naturally, Mother doesn't know
that, either.
16 YEARS OF AGE ~ Mother? She's hopelessly
old-fashioned.
18 YEARS OF AGE ~ That old woman? She's way out of
date!
25 YEARS OF AGE ~ Well, she might know a little bit
about it.
35 YEARS OF AGE ~ Before we decide, let's get Mom's
opinion.
45 YEARS OF AGE ~ Wonder what Mom would have thought
about it?
65 YEARS OF AGE ~ Wish I could talk it over with
Mom.




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