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I am a parent therefore I don't work!

Some time ago I was stopped in the street by a market researcher (male, smartly dressed, a mere 20-something-just-out-of-univ ersity). I had tried to avoid him as he marched towards me with his clipboard but failed as I had a child in a pushchair - and those things never manoeuvre the way you want them to.

As a result I spent a long five minutes in the cold answering questions about brands of toothpaste. At the end of the interrogation interview the researcher asked me what my occupation was.

I said I was a mother.

He then said "So you don't do anything then," and scribbled something on his clipboard. It wasn't a question. And if I hadn't been so bloody angry annoyed I would have said something, but there was no time - I had a child who needed feeding, laundry to collect and several bills that could be only paid at the post office which was about to shut.

I was reminded of that incident again today when I asked my delightful (at times) four-year-old daughter if mummy worked. Her reply without hesitation was a definite NO!

So now I'm on strike.

For the rest of the day there will be no cooking, cleaning, washing-up, ironing, hoovering, story-telling, entertainment, or games of any description. I am no longer on 24-hour call (at least not until my daughter returns from her grandparents!)

And I will be sticking a copy of this picture on my front door due to complete exhaustion and reduced mental capacity:



Flickr photo by 14-2-1.

I am now off to read the newspapers in total and peace and quiet. Bliss.

This post also appears in my Parenting Issues UK site - come over and visit!
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Comments
13 Comments. [ Add A Comment ]
1. February 18th 2008 @ 03:53. Miswanderlust Says:
Rose
I am with you here sister! I can't believe the perception of foks about the roles of mothers. I know from personal experience... "All mothers are working mothers!"
Mis
2. February 18th 2008 @ 04:19. Tracy Says:
I'm not a mum, Rose but I agree completely.
3. February 18th 2008 @ 05:53. Mrs M Says:
Hi Rose,

It's dreadful isn't it? I mean seriously.

I don't get upset anymore, there are only so many times you can here the same rubbish before you're immune to it.

But because I've heard it so many times, I'm not taken aback now when I do hear it, so generally I "correct" people on their perception of motherhood.

Fools!

Vent away Rose

Love & stuff
Mrs M
4. February 18th 2008 @ 08:19. Nathan P. Mahney Says:
I'll be a father in about five months, and something tells me that it's going to be hard work all round. I get the feeling that I'll be happy to go to work just for a rest!
5. February 18th 2008 @ 09:04. Lilla Says:
Rose,

Someone needs to tell these people what a complete oxymoron 'non-working mother' is!

As a writer, and part-time clairvoyant, it was/is the constant interruptions to my thought patterns - after 32 years of previous solitude. Now some years on and into teenagers... ((laughs)) ... dimished capacity is par for the course, as a matter of course ...and um... add menopause, and it's a wonder I remember how to find orble!

Hang in there, it gets better *LOL*'

Lilla ...
6. February 18th 2008 @ 09:46. the world of gaye Says:
You should have told that researcher to piss off! I have a grown son who is 25 years of age and I worked and raised him on my own. He is a singer in a band and is doing really well but It was the hardest job I have ever done. I believe that had I not worked I would have been even more tired because work was where I went to rest!! These stupid men could not do all the jobs women do, and if they did we would never hear the end of it!! They just have no idea do they?
7. February 18th 2008 @ 11:45. Mal Says:
Rose. This?
I had a child in a pushchair - and those things never manoeuvre the way you want them to
You really need to take a visit to the upper class suburbs and see how mother's handle their designer prams. Take a clipboard and a pen. Interview some of them, or just take notes and do drawings. There's no way a market researcher would stop them from getting where they want to go. They'd run over him.
Mal.
8. February 19th 2008 @ 03:39. Kleonaptra Says:
Hey Rose,
I used to stay home full time and had my hands full just looking after my partner, mum and massive animal family! Mum and Kman used to tell me I 'sat on my arse all day' but if that was true, why was the kitchen always clean and ready to use, the bathroom sparkling, clean clothes laid out and no dirty washing to be seen? Not to mention clean animal enclosures and full food and water bowls? Oh, lets not forget vacumed carpets and cleanly mopped hard floors......
I could go on, as Im sure you know.
Now I work, and everyone whinges that the house is never clean etc etc.....
Im trying to get enough money under me that I can afford to get married and have a baby.....AND look after the animals too!
There is no way to explan it to someone that hasnt done it, but the second I say those 3 little words - "Honey, Im pregnant" I will not work until Im good and ready.....I dont think working and child rearing go together at all.....So, good on you!
9. February 19th 2008 @ 06:31. Michaelie Says:
I am aghast that people can have such a perception - and yet not at all surprised. Sorry state of affairs all right. You should have snatched his clipboard and given him a good whack around the ears with it.

Michaelie
10. February 19th 2008 @ 06:42. Anonymous Says:
To Nathan. Your very right about that. Problem is what about us women. Is it then wrong for us to do the same. go to work to rest i mean.
11. February 19th 2008 @ 09:07. Luke Says:
isn't the whole concept of the housewife/mother rather outdated? what's stopping hubby from helping out around the house (if there is a hubby)?
12. February 19th 2008 @ 13:11. Sarah White Says:
It is so irritating to say the least when you get this response to being a stay at home parent. Sure it's the most rewarding job in the world but it's darn hard and not just a 9-5 gig but 24 hours. Strangely the people I've met lately when I get flagged down for these surveys comment to me on what a hard job being a SAHM is, maybe times are changing.

Enjoy the day off work.

Take Care.

Sarah.

Oh and I would have made sure I clipped his feet with the pushchair when I moved off after that comment.
13. March 3rd 2008 @ 22:30. Natalie Maxwell Says:
I can totally relate to you! I stopped teaching last year to be a full-time mom and sometimes I think that if I ever need a break, I can go back to work! Until you're a parent, you don't know the meaning of "full-time-job."

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