Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Parenting job anyone?

I've been thinking of looking for a new job opportunity lately as my "self-declared deadline" is fast approaching. The decision is still open as to whether or not I will pursue my plan of quitting even if I don't find a new job. Somehow, one of my wishes is to try being a "stay at home mother/wife" even for some time only. I have already uploaded my CV in a data bank and had it sent out to a friend too.

Then, I received a "job advertisement" from a friend and reading it made me think "is this really how parenting is described if it were put in the ads?". If so, do you wanna apply?

Job Description: PARENT

POSITION: Mom, Mommy, Mama, Ma, Dad, Daddy, Dada, Pa, Pop

JOB DESCRIPTION:

  • Long term, team players needed, for challenging permanent work in an, often chaotic environment.

  • Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call.
  • Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities! Travel expenses not reimbursed.
  • Extensive courier duties also required.

RESPONSIBILITIES :

  • The rest of your life.
  • Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs $5.
  • Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly.
  • Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf.
  • Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers.
  • Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects. Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks.

  • Must be willing to be indispensable one minute, an embarrassment the next.
  • Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices.
  • Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst.

  • Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product.
  • Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.

POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT & PROMOTION:

None. Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE:

None required unfortunately. On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.

WAGES AND COMPENSATION:

Get this! You pay them! Offering frequent raises and bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent. When you die, you give them whatever is left. The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.

BENEFITS : While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered; this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth, unconditional love, and free hugs and kisses for life, if you play your cards right.

FOOTNOTE "THERE IS NO RETIREMENT -- EVER!!!

2 comments:

lovelyn said...

Whew! Was that really what I've been doing all these years? Its really hard but its self fulfilling, I admit, and that's what matters most.

Its pay back time you know, now it is our turn and our children will have their turn too. We didn't know these when we were "the kids", how I wish I knew it back then..I miss my mom and dad Jane!!!

Jane said...

I miss my parents too. I actually shed a tear this morning when I read your last line. :(
Anyhoo, parenting is not really that easy as we thought. Takes a lot of patience but all pain/tiredness are quickly erased by tight hugs and tiny kisses plus the smiles and all that. Kudos to you!