What is your "occupation"?

[Momto5]

So, what do you put down under "occupation" every time you have to fill out a form. I really dislike that line - is it really any of their business? I usually just write parent and list that for my DH as well. Once I put down "Queen of the World" just to see if they'd notice (but they didn't - at least they didn't treat me like the Queen).

 

Any other good ideas?

[sweetbaby]

I put down "home educator"

[Tracey in TX]

SAHM

 

stay at home mom.

 

I despise the term homemaker; it's condescending. I'd prefer to put educator if it's a check-the-box form.

[pmegan]

I always want to put down something vaguely snarky like "Domestic Goddess" but usually I chicken out and just put down "homemaker." It sounds kinda retro and more ironic than "housewife" or "SAHM" for some reason.

[xxxxxxxx]

Ok, title should say "using this title" not "doing" Why can't we edit the title of the messages?

 

 

 

Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations

 

I got this idea off an email my Mom just forwarded to me today.

See below:

 

JUST A MOM?

 

 

A woman, renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk 's office,

was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation.

 

She 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 the woman.

 

'I'm a Mom.'

 

'We don't list 'Mom' 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.'

 

'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 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, (first the Lord and then the whole family)

and already have four credits (all daughters).

Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanitie s,

(any mother care t o 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 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,

(a 6 month old baby) in the child development program,

testing out a new vocal pattern.

I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucr acy!

And I had gone on the official records as someone more

distinguished and indispensable to mankind than 'just another Mom.'

Motherhood!

 

What a glorious career!

Especially when there's a title on the door.

 

 

Does this make grandmothers

'Senior Research assoc iates 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.'

 

 

 

Please send this to another Mom,

Grandmother,

Aunt,

And other friends you know.

May your troubles be less,

Your blessing be more,

And nothing but happiness come through your door!

AMEN!!

[Susan in TX]

I proudly claim the occupational title of "housewife" cause that's what I am. On our tax returns dh once listed my occupation as "Domestic Goddess". I thought that was pretty funny!

 

Susan in TX

[Elaine]

SAHM

 

stay at home mom.

 

I despise the term homemaker; it's condescending. I'd prefer to put educator if it's a check-the-box form.

 

Why is the word "homemaker" condescending? It's what we do isn't it? Make a house a home? Fill it with all of the things, material and otherwise, that make "home" the place our families want to be? I honestly never thought of that word as condescending.

[benjabber]

I usually write homemaker / educator

[Mrs Mungo]

I like putting Cat Herder. Nobody has said anything about it yet. :tongue_smilie:

[5webblets]

And it just goes to show that it's unnecessary if no one has ever commented on your brilliance! :)

 

Lindsay

[Plaid Dad]

The temptation to write Foole is very great. Or "bon vivant," which is what one old acquaintance of mine routinely listed as her occupation on her tax return.

 

Nowadays I write "author" or "teacher," but when I was a full-time SAHD, I wrote "homemaker."

[Jenny in Atl]

I stole Domestic Goddess from a friend of mine and have used it ever since.

[mcconnellboys]

I just put housewife or sometimes home educator, homeschool mom, educator, etc. It sort of depends on what type of app it is.....

[Diana in OR]

I've been tempted to put homewrecker . I really dislike the term homemaker. :glare:

 

:lol::lol:Uh, I always thought that term meant, well, "the other woman".

 

 

Seriously, I asked about this a few months ago when preparing my voter's pamphlet statement. I finally ended up with, "At home parent, educator, volunteer." Apparently, my life isn't nearly as exciting as some of you.;)

[MicheleinMN]

Home Educator -- I even use this one on my IRS forms. It's who I am and what I do. :~)

 

Michele

[Andie]

Queen.

 

I even have a crown.

 

 

 

Occasionally I use home educator too.

[Jennifer in NH]

I hope this thread gets really long because I am so enjoying it!

 

I usually put down home maker or stay at home mom.

 

From now on i think I will take some of all of your ideas and go for something more glamourous!:001_smile:

[nukeswife]

I usually put Homemaker or Home Educator.

 

Some days I'm attempted to put something like Assylum Director or Monkey Wrangler because the kids are being exceptionally outgoing that day.

[Vida Winter]

all the usual choices were not available. So I made do with "Self-employed - human resources" and had to laugh about it.

[Sebastian (a lady)]

So, what do you put down under "occupation" every time you have to fill out a form. I really dislike that line - is it really any of their business? I usually just write parent and list that for my DH as well. Once I put down "Queen of the World" just to see if they'd notice (but they didn't - at least they didn't treat me like the Queen).

 

Any other good ideas?

 

I like home educator, because I have hopes that the term will eventually gain demographic momentum. I tend to use educator if the home version isn't available. I recently had to fill out a form for the kids summer camp and the only option that was true was unemployed. I understand that the spouse employment line was only there in order to determine eligibility for one program (which we weren't even using), but having to mark unemployed annoyed me.

The sign for our homeschool designates me as headmistress.

 

However, the funniest occupation we've ever run across was in an entry for the census in Cincinnati, where we found a man who listed his occupation as Theocrat.

[Harriet Vane]

Home manager and educator

[Tracey in TX]

Why is the word "homemaker" condescending? It's what we do isn't it? Make a house a home? Fill it with all of the things, material and otherwise, that make "home" the place our families want to be? I honestly never thought of that word as condescending.

Our society doesn't value homemakers, or we wouldn't try to get every woman back in the workforce. I view my role as a mother more than housekeeper. Quite frankly, I've told DH to never refer to me as 'homemaker'. I'm a SAHM, but the other implies an aptitude for domestic abilities. (I'm a rockin' cook, but cleaning/organizing, etc. skills are seriously lacking--and I don't care.) I tend to my children, educate them, and try to live some semblance of a 21st century lifestyle. The 'homemaker' term just doesn't fit what I believe I do. Does this make any sense or is the migraine medicine making me loopy??

[Becca]

Lady of Leisure! I haven't yet put it on a form, but sometimes I joke with friends about my "title"!

[CookieMonster]

I ain't ashamed of being a homemaker. ;)

 

There are times when your occupation is important for them to know - sometimes "just in case". I'm not offended by it.

[jeri]

jeri

[AuntPol]

Chief Bon Bon tester and Soap Opera critic

 

(isn't that what people think we do all day lol)

[nutmeg]

Home Educator

[Danestress]

or "homemaker" either one. Or educator. Whatever seems true and right. I think those are good jobs one can take pride in, and I don't need to come up with something that sounds "better." I think when housewives project pride in what they do, the job might get a little more credit from others.

 

I wrote "attorney" for may years, and felt proud of that too. I don't think one is better than the other - I just write what my current job is, and if I weren't proud of it, I wouldn't be doing it!

[CactusPair]

I like to put Haus Frau.

 

Sometimes it's just Housewife, which I love, or Happy Housewife. It's so cute and real and makes me feel good.

 

 

Other times it's Mother, which encompasses everything and implies Queen Mother, Mother of the World, Earth Mother, Mother Darling, Mother Bear and Mother Cat. Meow.

[angela in ohio]

Wife and mother.

[sassenach]

I usually put "mom." This year on our tax forms I put "server" because I did earn some money waiting tables last year. It struck me afterwards that it is an appropriate description for most of my life. Not in a bad way, I want to be someone who serves others in love.

 

On a separate note, this reminded me of something else. Once, when I was 8 months pregnant, I brought my ds to a specialist visit. I was feeling sassy, so under the family medical history, I put down for myself, "chronically pregnant." The doctor got a chuckle from that.

[Suzanne in ABQ]

Domestic Engineer, or Home Educator, or SAHM. Depends on the audience.

[Guest Katia]

I always write that I am a "educational facilitator" since that is what I do. Since my olders are now graduated and I only have my youngest in high school, I only facilitate in the educational process.

[JWSJ]

When I need to write a check out to my wife, you should see what I put in the comment field...

 

So far, noone has said anything to her.

[Elisabeth in IL]

I have lately been writing Domestic Engineer.

[Apiphobic]

I put down "home educator"

 

same here

[Kanga]

It depends on the form. On important documents I put Domestic Engineer. On forms that I consider absolutely ridiculous I put Kept Woman. Though I am considering stealing Mrs. Mungo's reply of Cat Herder - it encompasses so much more of what I do!

[Mrs Mungo]

It depends on the form. On important documents I put Domestic Engineer. On forms that I consider absolutely ridiculous I put Kept Woman. Though I am considering stealing Mrs. Mungo's reply of Cat Herder - it encompasses so much more of what I do!

 

Hee-really, the idea amuses me so greatly.

 

Cat Herding video:

 

[Kanga]

Thanks for the link. I needed a good laugh.

[CookieMonster]

Hee-really, the idea amuses me so greatly.

 

Cat Herding video:

 

 

*snicker*

:laugh:

[Bev in B'ville]

That might get a good response, or at least a doubletake.

 

Bev

[EKS]

It depends who is asking. If I think they want to know something about who I am (like the doctor on the health questionaire) then I put down something like "former scientist/medical writer current homeschool mom." If they just want to know how I make money (like the IRS) then I put "homemaker."