I did some more thinking about what Lyssa said to me the other day.
Soul searching.
I have mentally tried on several careers and 'important' jobs since she basically told me that she felt sorry for me for never having an important career.
I never considered being a Nuclear Physicist until this week. Considered it, and dismissed it. I don't like things that blow up. Noisy. Unpredictable.
Doctor or Nurse? No. I don't like bodily fluids, sick people, bad smells, hospitals, needles or life and death decisions.
Stockbroker? No. Thanks.
To me, they're in the same category as lawyers. I share William Shakespeare's sentiments regarding lawyers.
Realtor? Not in a million years. I don't want to swim with the sharks. (See above remarks about lawyers.)
Farmer? No. No no no. I don't like the smell of shit. I don't like getting up early. I don't like being outside in the rain, the wind, the snow. I don't want to have to kill my own dinner. Ever.
Some sort of administrator/paper pusher? No. Not for me. It seems that being stuck in a career like that would be like dying a little every day. No amount of compensation would make me enjoy that type of job.
Astronaut? No.
And after viewing the astronaut diapers on Monday and hearing how they learn to use them (they send home a package of about 10 with each astronaut and they have to practice.) I'm still shuddering mentally over that one.
Scientist? Too nit-picky.
Hotel Concierge/service industry worker?
No effin' way.
I see enough assholes on the road, on the television, and while I'm shopping in my favorite white-trash stores. I wouldn't like the idea that to keep my job, I'd have to be nice to people like that.
Too many people think that if you're on the worker side of the desk, you're a mental incompetent and fair game to be dumped on, harangued, and treated like crap. People who act that way even feel justified in doing so.
Retail clerk? See above.
Beside the obvious jobs I do as a homeschooling mom, wife, Girl Scout leader, housecleaner, laundress, cook, dishwasher, accountant, first aid specialist, amateur psychologist (most of that usually before 10 a.m.) I have a paying job. 'Site Teacher' for the company I am employed by.
Am I a 'real' teacher? Sure. I teach kids many things.
I love what I'm doing. I look forward to going to work, rather than being aggravated at having to go, which is how I have felt with every other job I've ever done. Would I want to be an elementary school teacher? Not in a million years.
When people ask me what I do, though, I don't tell them I'm a teacher. I tell them I do daycare. I admit to being a bit, hmm, defensive about it. Trying to 'sell' the job. Quick to assure the questioner that I love it. Even though I really do like it, I sometimes feel like the person asking instantly drops about 50 points from my expected I.Q.
I am many things, but stupid is not one of them.
Usually.
I can't think of anything that fits me better. I am content. I am happy. I am not missing anything I want.
As for the idea of college, I wonder how many people just like me are out there.
I hated school.
LOATHED it.
I was so depressed and so burned out and so defeated by it that when I graduated from high school, I felt like I'd been let out of jail after a long sentence. Had someone offered me a free college education at the college of my choice, I would have run away screaming, "NOOOOOOO!"
If someone were to offer me a deal like that, even today, I would still refuse it.
Of course, you can feel free to send me money.
Functional illiterates LOVE money.
:)
I think being a wife and mother is extremely undervalued in this country not only by our men, but by our children and other full time working moms with kids in regular school and etc.
ReplyDeletenot important? seriously? that's one of the most important things that is severely neglected in this country: raising children right. seems like you're doing an excellent job if you ask me..
Lil Mouse said it all. That was a great post. Even better than the one I sent you.
ReplyDeleteWild applause here!
ReplyDeleteNot everyone needs a glamour job to feel successful. Not everyone needs to go to college.
A well-lived life is so much more than a matter of what your career is.
I think too, that knowing Lyssa, what she might also have been showing you was that she recognized what a sacrifice some moms make to be home with their kids. It's not an easy decision for many women--it felt intuitive for me but I still struggled with being home while the hubby was out in the "real world" everyday. I was in a new town and no friends and pretty lonely.
ReplyDeleteI think we moms should be proud of what we do. What possible other job could compete with helping to form the people of the future?
To me of what you said here.... (Beside the obvious jobs I do as a homeschooling mom, wife, Girl Scout leader, house cleaner, laundress, cook, dishwasher, accountant, first aid specialist, amateur psychologist (most of that usually before 10 a.m.) I have a paying job. 'Site Teacher' for the company I am employed by.)
ReplyDeleteIs very important and probably more rewarding in the long run. Maybe not in money, but self satisfaction as a person.
I don't if you have done this or not, but maybe you could make up a questionnaire or something like an interview and have your daughter ask you these questions and answer in depth. Then have her think about it and write a report of how she feels about and why.
That would be a great school project and hopefully help her see all that you do and how important it is to you and how important you really are.
Matter fact, I think I need to do this!
Just a thought, but maybe we could do something like this for Say Something Saturday. (SSS) Not that I'm trying to tell you what to do, but thought it sounded neat!
And I was just getting ready to apply to NASA. Rats.
ReplyDelete(Meandered over from Freakmom's.)
I don't think there is anything more important than raising children who will be good citizens and contributers to society and influencing those children who don't have the influence at home.
ReplyDeleteI swear I'm commenting in people's blogs and my comments disappear. Please tell me that it's not just my imagination! I know I commented... about how it was for me, and how I'm sometimes still jealous of my husband who just gets to go out without having to ask or find someone for the kids. ???? Am I delirious?
ReplyDelete