What's in a name?
I was filling out a form to sign The Boy up for a summer program, and right next to the line for Mother's Name, they ask for Occupation. Am I crazy, or is that question just a little too personal?
I'm not comfortable with the title Stay At Home Mom. It fits me like size six stilletos; it just isn't me. I don't have a problem with parents who chose child care over employment. In fact, I admire them, because even though I seem to have made that choice, I don't feel up to the job. "Unemployed" feels more like what I'm up to, though I'm not hugely comfortable with job description either. Sometimes I describe myself as a Former Journalist, but AnnaRay says I'm still a Journalist. Funny, I don't feel like it when my to do list includes "dust front room" and "pick up poop in the back yard."
I wish I could feel content to just enjoy this time I have with The Boy, but I can't stop worrying about what I'm going to do next. It's like I'm circling my life in a holding pattern until I find the right path. Why can't this be the right path?
I always thought being a mom would be something I am ( like being 36 years old) as opposed to being something I do (like produce multimedia for newspaper web sites.) The problem is that what I do has always been my way of defining who I am. So what am I doing while I'm being a mom?
I think the key lies in labels. All I have to do is find the right word for what I do and all will be right with the world. Currently under consideration: Negotiator, Freelance Consultant and Swashbuckler.
posted by judybat at 11:14 PM
7 Comments:
(You pick up the poop in your backyard?)
I suggest under occupation, you put "Self."
I also like "Person" and "Human Being."
On a completely unrelated topic, what happened to the list of stuff you're listening to on your iPod?
I like Self. Maybe I'll just put down Journeywoman.
We took the ipod list down because we weren't updating it, but we can bring it back by popular demand.
What about using that opportunity to showcase your creative talent? Why not really make the summer program people wonder by writing something like what I hope my future title to be: Mayor of the United States of America? Or if that's not quite your style, someting equally funny like Fembot #17, or Managing Papyrus Creator for the Anachronistic Times?
I know it doesn't solve the real problem , but it might make ya smile.
:-)
Woo Hoo!
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