I really like that one! My Laboratory has research projects going on. The first project involves a 16 year old subject. We're not getting the anticipated results, despite having to adjust the control parameters several times. The project with the 13 year old subject has produced promising results despite a rocky start. Adjusting the control parameters seem to be getting the expected results. The third project involves a 5 year old subject. This research is in it's early stages, and control parameters are still being defined.
Harriett V. Weymon Senior Research Associate Child Development and Human Relations
----- Original Message ----- From: SuzW397026@aol.com To: Candichat@dolls.de Sent: Tuesday, April 16, 2002 5:21 PM Subject: Re: O.T. Just A Mother? Excuse Me???
I hope you enjoy this. I think it has most likely been around a long time ago but perhaps full time mothers need reminding of their "title", :-)!
Suzanne
<< .. I'm Just a Mother? Excuse Me???
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. >>