Job Description

Since we’ve recently moved, I have had to fill out several forms. You know, the ones that ask for your median household income, your brother’s best friend’s pet’s name (for security, of course) and your job description. And every time I look through one of those drop-down boxes with all the job descriptions in it, I laugh to myself. Because I must choose one. Only one.

“Administration” or “Accounting” used to fit the bill. That was my job. It was easy. But now, it should be more like a “check all that apply.”

Administration? Yes. Accounting? Yes. Engineering? Also yes. Foodservice? Uh-huh. Retail? Absolutely. Fashion? I hope so. Telecommunications? You betcha. Computers & networking? Mm-hmmm. Law enforcement? That’s an understatement. Transportation? Um, yes. Management? If only you knew.

Sadly, “Mom” or “All of the above” isn’t a choice, so I end up clicking “Other.”

Other.

It sounds so plain. So unimportant. So…blah.

But when you think about it, “other” includes a lot you can’t put on a drop-down list. Things like: Chief Hugger. Owie kisser. Zrbtt (or raspberry) blower. The one who buys favorite snacks at the grocery store, rocks sick kids, and makes sure the favorite stuffy is located and ready for snuggling at bedtime. The one who washes that favorite blanket, finds whatever is missing, and fixes hurt feelings. The one who teaches how to play patty cake, has eyes in the back of my head, and reads minds even when it’s supposed to be impossible.

I (along with Husband) am also the one who is responsible for making sure my children are contributing members of society and more importantly, modeling Christ before them and teaching them about the love of Jesus. You’ll never see any of those things on a list.

Being a parent is hard. And hard work. But it’s also a huge blessing, one I never want to take for granted. Sure, there are days I wonder how I escape with my sanity. There are days I wonder if I have any idea what I’m doing. (Usually not.) And there are days I just want to have time for a shower. As I’ve said to many new moms, the days seem long, but the months are short. Too short.

“Mom” has been more than just a job description since Eve had her first child. Still, it would be nice if our society recognized the importance of motherhood instead of trying to shrug it off or make it into some inconvenient thing you’re supposed to spend the rest of your life trying to get away from.

And since that’s not likely to happen, I guess “Other” is just fine. I certainly don’t want to be doing anything else.