I'm Just a Mother? Excuse Me???

This was sent to me many years ago and I like to read it every now and again to remind my self that I might only be "JUST A MOTHER" but I'm the best mother for my girls.

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. When
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 "Town Registrar" or
"Official Interrogator" "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.