I had to go for a Doctor's appointment the other day and they were updating my files. The receptionist said. "Let me see here.. it says you're insurance is ..."
"Yep."
"and you live..."
"Yep."
"And you're a homemaker..."
Squealing tires, crickets chirping then total silence....
"What?"
She got a little quiet ."We have you listed as a homemaker?"
"Um, I stay at home with the kids, but work part time..."
Oh so it's right?"
Did I suddenly go in the Wayback Machine with Simon and Mr. Peabody at some point to the 1950's? Did I mistakenly show up in my pearls and high heels? Homemaker? HOMEMAKER?!
And have you seen the crime I have committed called a casserole? Did you not see the bath tub ring, the dog hair floating across the floor like tumbleweeds, and all 3 kids crying at once and me wishing I had a bottle of vodka and a dark closet somewhere?
Is there not a better term out there in 2009? Have we not progressed at all? And me, on top of it, a homemaker? That's like calling the kid who cuts our lawn "The landscaper."
While I was busy having a crazy fit that could only be heard somewhere inside my head, she cleared her throat.
"So that's right?"
Silence, then, acceptance.
"Yeah."
:) amen.
ReplyDeleteHomemaker? Yeah sweetie, you got a problem with that? I don't think they like it when you put Sex Goddess or Domestic Goddess on the application.
ReplyDeleteOh, but I think you've given me an idea the next time I have to fill out one of those questionnaires at the doc's office. "Domestic Goddess" it is!
ReplyDeleteAnd they have to use that term because they still haven't figured out what it IS we do. The list is so extensive, and sometimes, I think they might be a little insecure about all that we do. So, it helps them "deal" by simply referring to us as "homemakers". It's okay though ... I'm perfectly happy making MY home and not letting someone else do it for me!
Bravo to you for your acceptance!
That term SO does not define us! Thanks for sharing what we all feel, and sometimes rant about.
ReplyDeleteDebra
hee hee :)
ReplyDeleteOh Jen, you make me laugh!
ReplyDeleteWhy is it that the word "homemaker" can feel like both a slap in the face and an overwhelming calling at the same time?
I say Domestic Diva! Maybe we get a petition going to get it changed on all forms. Have a great Sunday.
ReplyDeleteCharla
Very funny!
ReplyDeleteToo funny I just ran across this same situation. What I wanted to say was, yes, I stay home and take care of all that is mine. We haven't over spent on everything we have so we are able to survive on 1 salary and I get to spend quality time raising my children, I clean my own house and we eat healthy meals I make, why are you working all the cool girls stay home. Why do people try to make you feel bad you don't have some crazy go to work day in and day out job, or maybe they are extremely jealous.
ReplyDeleteI prefer to say that I am a DOMESTIC ENGINEER.
ReplyDeleteHa! Perfect description of the reality of when it hits us...we're homemakers.
ReplyDeleteOh, Suzann has the best reply..."Domestic Engineer"! I love that one.
ReplyDeleteBut seriously, you're like me.
You have an online store, you are self employed!
Amen!! I hear ya sister!!! I know people who work outside of the home to escape what we do every day!!!lol!!!
ReplyDeleteYes Domestic Goddess would fit into that slot very nicely!!!
((I always read your blog but sometimes it will not load for me and has an error message...rats!!!)))
If I were you, I would put artist....or entrepenuer on the forms....Jill of All Trades, maybe? Mom, wife, money maker, magic maker and so much more.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Penny
I'm neither a mom nor a wife but an under-employed web designer (you wouldn't know it from my blog, that's not important)...I watch a lot of Dr. Phil and IIRC, he said that most moms that stay at home work the equivalent of a six-figure income (high 100s I think).
ReplyDeleteConsider yourself the CEO of the family.
Happy Sunday!
I prefer: Research Associate in the field of Child Development/Human Relations
ReplyDeleteROFLOL! I am one of those people who doesn't think of the term as in insult but an well earned title.
ReplyDeleteI like Haley's take on it, "Research Associate in the field of Child Development/Human Relations", LOL!
I prefer the term Domestic Engineer myself. Use that one when anyone asks what you do and you will get complete silence then an oh, ok. Us SAHM's have to stick together:)
ReplyDeleteNo kidding! have we not progressed! I can just picture the look on your face looking at this receptionist!
ReplyDeletexo
LuLu
Love the way you write and your sense of humor. Thanks for the smiles. laurie
ReplyDeleteoh my goodness Jen, that is hilarious, cause uhm I would have done the same thing! that is like when the doctor asks me if my son goes to daycare, I want to say and what does that have to do with him being sick? Hope you had a good weekend~ XO
ReplyDeleteThat is hysterical!! I never know what to put down or say for what I do...homemaker seems so, so...I don't even know, but not accurate!
ReplyDeletethis was so funny,.... thanks for the :) you gave me. I would say, we are the "managers" of other peoples lives... :) if we're not around, it all falls apart... at least it does in my little world.
ReplyDeleteI work now, but I was a homemaker... and boy, did I work hard!!
thank you for the :) you are a wonderful writer.. and I love the home pictures above... you can add designer to your name too..
I love this post. Especially "Silence, then, acceptance."
ReplyDeleteOh, and I was going to say on my last comment that I love your cute little time-out chair. For now we do time outs in the crib, but once JK moves to a big bed (soon!) we may have to find a little chair for her time outs.
:-)
ReplyDeleteI'm dying over this one! I feel the same sometimes. What happened to me? I was supposed to be this high power business woman with heels and a brief case. But then I remember, Oh yeah, I did that...it wasn't all it was cracked up to be.
ReplyDeleteMaybe that crazy career woman will reemerge someday but for now...just call me mom.