Your OCCUPATION is WHAT???
um... I'm a M O M ...
I have been asked this question so many times.
For many of us, we acquired skills... or go to college, we build our resumes, start working, establish comfortable lifestyles all within the realm of what we are programmed to do right out of high school.
Guess what happens then.... those skills that we had acquired from those high school and/or college courses expand again to something that is so far beyond anything we could have imagined.
You know it's true...
I mean... once those babies are born, we all of a sudden are experts in:
- Law Enforcement. Sure, we don't get to cuff 'em or put them in jail (c'mon ya'll... where is your mind at!), as parents we have to get more creative than our local police officers when it comes to figuring out what punishment fits the crime! Then... we have to interrogate effectively and don't even get me started on the negotiations that take place at my dinner table... "If you eat one more piece, you can get up..."
- Investigation. I mean... we have to solve all the mysteries that happen around the house from finding the lost shoe (I mean, seriously... How do you lose one shoe!) to active listening to see who is still up at 1 o'clock in the morning! Thank goodness I love true crime.
- Gymnast. I can't do handstands, but I have had a squirming kid, especially on that tiny changing table surface where I was navigating a diaper change, buttoning all those buttons on the onesies, and dealing with the dirty diaper. I think about times now... and getting the kids ready to play in the snow... heavy socks, snow pants, boots, gloves, coat, hat.. EEK! So many layers. And I get to be the acrobatic who squishes their hands into the gloves... or their feet into the boots. Who knew so many things could be achieved by one person? Literally!!!
- Scientist. I mean.. I HAVE to smell the milk before we pour... what is the expiration date? What are you cleaning my counters with? I mean... we question the safety of household products and investigate our healthy habits for our families daily. This effort helps provide a better, safer environment for our kids... and let's face it... we get to be the Leo D.'s of our planet!
- Event Planner, Kelley. I mean... I literally drive them everywhere.. including to the bus stop (at the end of our driveway, ya'll!). Not to mention that I cook dinner... every night, bake cakes for birthdays and special occasions, (and cookies and brownies), handling crisis management (I mean... water gates opened when the flute was left at school last week... I had to talk her down)!
- Garbage Men. I mean, it all starts with those dirty diapers... then spit-up and the stains... now with COVID, I swear I walk around with the Lysol can as a permanent fixture. But, it's countless clean ups and fixes and picking up. We are also always anticipating the next disaster!
- Tech Support. Thank you for calling the help desk... how can I help. I mean I should have an engineering degree by now, especially after constantly putting together all those toys that come in a million pieces (thanks Santa) and furniture (I mean... IKEA is my JAM), figuring out the strollers now a days, pack n'plays, the stupid car seats... and flash forward to my life today and these Apple IPhones... um, I have a SAMSUNG.... or figuring out why my computer isn't connecting to the internet. Lord have mercy!
- Singer/Songwriter. And, who could forget all those times in baby-hood when we had to SING... SING.. SING (and rock). I mean, at one point, I even made my kid her own song... (true story)
I joke, but I would not trade any of this for the world (most days), because although it is a demanding job, and not for the weak, being a parent is awesome.
And with my unsung talents, although they may not be resume worthy, every once in a while it is smile worthy to be recognized and appreciated for the small feat that comes with the title.
It's time to Interact!
I have a question...
What skills do you think you have gained through Parenthood?
Be sure to put your answer in the COMMENTS!
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