When thinking of all the things I, and every other mother, does day in and day out for our families, it sometimes baffles me that we get through a day, let alone 18+ years of raising children!
When a new baby arrives, us mothers are meeting basic needs of that little person; feeding, bathing, holding, changing and loving. As these little ones grow into preschoolers, we are still providing all the former needs, and in addition are teaching, consoling, and playing. Then that little person is in school and, again, we are providing all of the above (hopefully minus the changing), and adding disciplining, scheduling, and driving. Keep in mind, these lists are not all-inclusive by any means! Then these little people become teenagers – don’t even get me started on all the duties, worries and responsibilities required during this phase!
This is only the child-rearing part of what needs to be done in our families – not to mention the cooking, cleaning, laundry, house maintenance, grocery shopping, vacation planning, clothes shopping, and many other duties that must be performed!
I received this Job Description in an email a while back, and thought it would give all us mamas a laugh, and also put into perspective what amazing, strong and wonderful women we are!
POSITION: Mother, Mom, Mama
JOB DESCRIPTION: Long term, team players needed, for challenging permanent work in an often chaotic environment.
Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call.
Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities. Travel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required.
RESPONSIBILITIES: The rest of your life.
Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs $5.
Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly.
Must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf.
Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers.
Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects.
Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks.
Must be willing to be indispensable one minute, an embarrassment the next.
Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices.
Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst.
Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product.
Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.
POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT & PROMOTION: Virtually none. Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE: None required unfortunately. On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.
WAGES AND COMPENSATION: Get this! You pay them! Offering frequent raises and bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent.
When you die, you give them whatever is left. The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.
BENEFITS: While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered; this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth and free hugs for life if you play your cards right.
Isn’t that interesting to see it in writing! I sure thought it was!
Good job Mamas!
Sincerely,
From the Stork’s Nest~
Rebecca
