My LITTLE sister is turning 21 today. Do you know what this means? This means that the next family big birthday is mine. and its the thirtieth one. I know, right?
Thirty is like proper grown up isn't it? But I think my issue with it is different from many of my friends' issues with hitting the big three oh. You see, I have no ticking biological clock - my baby making days are over at the ripe old age of twenty six. Also, I'm married, so I'm not worried about having to maybe think about eventually settling down one day at some point like many others, because any more settled and I could wear this sofa as an oversized pair of trousers.
No, my problem is... what do I do now? The only thing it seems there is left to strive towards is career based, and as I spend a large part of my life wiping bodily fluids, cutting fruit up into small peices and trying to work out whether that cry is one worth responding to, I'm becoming less and less qualified for...well anything by the day. It is as if the degree I acheived in July 2010 is disintergrating bit by bit every time I kiss a milky, dribbly cheek or make a poo joke for the entertainment of my daughter. Every time I sing the wheels on the bus a line from Plath disappears forever.
So, today my mission is to try and consider ways in which the normal, mundane tasks of motherhood can be applied to the working world, so that rather than a career death, parenthood can be newly considered an internship of sorts, perfectly preparing you to become the ideal candidate for any position by the time your child is school aged. Will blog later with the results. Any suggestions welcome!
I think you may have a business idea there. Or at least a campaign/pressure group idea. It makes me think of the whole idea of motherhood as unpaid employment - an internship is a good way of putting it. Full-time motherhood is a job which is not recognised with a salary, nor is it recognised with any kind of credibility as work experience. Wouldn't it be nice if one day you could put '2009-2012 full-time mother' on a C.V., in the knowledge that it would be appreciated and respected? 'Skills gained: Time management, leadership, communication, organisational skills, flexibility, initiative, problem-solving...' the list is damn near endless. You should make a website, make this a campaign!
ReplyDeleteAnd I have been very much inspired by your blog to re-kindle my own neglected one. Thank you Mrs. Mummy! xx