These photos don't really apply to the topic at hand, well they do because they are my darling children, however the point is I don't really have photos for this post so I'm including these. The weather was so warm over Christmas break that the children had races nearly every day, despite the few cuts and bruises (tying two plasma cars together is NOT a good idea). It was great fun and if you look carefully at the last picture you might see my dad at the finish line cheering them on, it made me smile to find him out with the children. I loved everything about the Christmas break.
Now to the regularly scheduled topic.
I've been thinking more about the idea of being a professional mother (see this post from April 2010) and wondering if making such a declaration means that I need to make additional changes now that I have a the new title of CEO, albeit self imposed.
John can still be the president (because remember around here girls are the bosses) and CFO because he's better with the money. Actually I'm great at spending the money-- not so great in the saving department. Of course there is no reason to air out all my dirty laundry right now.
If I view my role in a business plan and our family is the business, first the question in our long term projections would be:
Can I make my children profitable (because quite frankly they are nickle and "dime-ing" [making up new words today] me to to death)?
Teasing.
Although a few of them have complained numerous times, with the most theatrical voices, "You only had children so we could be your slaves and do all the work." I'm fairly certain I asked them to clean their rooms that day.
In all seriousness, if I am a professional mother then I need to treat my role with the same degree of professionalism I would any other job I have had. If I view my responsibilities as such, how does that change how I behave and what I teach my children? Does this effect the goals created for our family (do we have any) or present and future expectations?
I have been working in my chosen field for nearly two decades. I have developed a resume filled with 70,000 diapers changed (rough estimate because Loaf is NOT potty trained and I have to credit a few other members in our family with a few changes of their own), approximately 13,000 meals prepared (not to mention all the meals I brought from afar), countless miles in the car, sleepless nights, and joy filled moments. I am responsible for the organization, cleanliness, and maintenance of our home (however I do have great helpers, even if they complain about servitude). These are finite things that I can list and have become quite proficient in and make my motherhood resume quite impressive (notice I did not include proof reader, math tutor, and/or vomit cleaner... Not good at those things, however I am FANTASTIC at run on sentences).
So today I've been thinking about corporate retreats, staff meetings, and flow charts to help improve the effectiveness in our home. Part of my resolutions (or at least the idea of resolutions) are going to include looking at my chosen profession as such that hopefully I can learn, grow, and become the best mother these beautiful children deserve. Maybe it will include more of somethings and less of others, but it will all be done with an added measure of love and the ideal of what we can become. Not to mention the late night hugs when monsters fill dreams.
Love this idea! Let us be business cohorts then, working in the same profession without competition or comparison, but sharing ideas and congratulating eachother on successess!
Posted by: Samantha Lee | January 04, 2012 at 05:29 AM
Changing the words makes it sound so much MORE. I find that when asked I say, "I am just a stay at home Mom". I am trying to take more pride in that statement because my job is HARD! I work hard at all I do with my children and hubby. What a great idea to approch it with a whole new perspective. I do like that with your discription though, you love the ones you "work" for. This is very rarely the case. We are super lucky to have that blessing.
Posted by: JRoberts | January 04, 2012 at 08:52 AM
I also believe in seeing motherhood as a profession. It's the toughest profession out there by a long shot but by far the most rewarding. I have a hard time getting excited over my nursing profession since being a mother is such a better deal. Great post.
Posted by: Rita | January 04, 2012 at 10:28 AM
You are such an inspiration to me. What a fabulous idea at looking at motherhood as a profession, I'm great at my job that I get paid actual money at and I feel I lack in the profession that actually means something me. I am going to take your idea and find ways I can make my career as a mother more meaningful.
Posted by: Kari | January 04, 2012 at 01:19 PM
As C. S. Lewis said, “A housewife’s work … is the one for which all others exist.”
I take that to mean mothering as well!
Great post, Al!
Posted by: Chocolate on my Cranium | January 04, 2012 at 03:17 PM
Ok. I need to really process this. It is SO good. Wow. You are my hero.
Posted by: Laura | January 04, 2012 at 04:50 PM
Allison, I love this. You are fantastic! When it comes to homework help though, I believe I should be monetarily reimbursed.
Posted by: Mandy | January 04, 2012 at 08:00 PM