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My New Title

I attended and graduated from college. I worked in professional capacity for 10 years. But, for the last 8 years, I have been changing diapers, making bottles, telling bedtime stories and playing Barbies and Legos.

Reporter: Barb Valesco

Email: news@momseveryday.com

My New Title

I am a stay-at-home mom of a school-aged daughter and not-quite-school-age son.  I am passionate about my family, friends, writing, running and crafts.  I'm a regular mom trying to survive the crazy world of parenthood.

Paul and I had dinner with a visiting faculty member. For the non-academics reading this, a visiting faculty member is a professor so talented and intelligent that they are asked to spread their knowledge over many universities. They are so brilliant at their profession that other universities seek them out and pay them to leave their sunny locale and brave the February wind, cold and snow of South Bend to share their wealth of knowledge with other academic nerds. And they readily agree to it. Maybe they aren't so smart, after all.

So, I lined up a sitter, put on dress pants, Spanx, makeup and jewelry and headed out. This professor is very charming, kind, intelligent and gracious. I've met him many times and was looking forward to the night. He does not have an arrogant or rude bone in his body. Otherwise, I would have been in my jammies and watching bad re-reruns while Paul schmoozed with academia aristocracy.

Nope, I suited up and planned to enjoy my free meal, thanks to the Notre Dame expense account. "We" sipped wine and chatted about business practices, executive education and corporate strategy.

Ok, I'll confess. They chatted about those things while I studied the specials menu.

The professor turned to me and commented, "Paul tells me that you are a writer. What do you write?" Gulp. "I write a blog about my life - parenting challenges, being a stay-at-home mom, sibling rivalry, potty training, homework. What does your wife do?"

His reply? "She is a dean at (insert fancy university name here)." Conversation screeched to a halt. What could I possibly say to that without sounding like the world's biggest moron? (I really want to know because I know this situation will happen to me again).

Ok, I didn't just fall off the turnip truck. I attended and graduated from college. I worked in professional capacity for 10 years. I wore suits, attended meetings, collected a paycheck, had billable hours and gossiped around the water cooler.

But, for the last 8 years, I have been changing diapers, making bottles, telling bedtime stories, playing Barbies and Legos, and reading "Goodnight Moon". Maybe next time I am asked what I do, I will reply that I am the Dean, Director, CEO and COO of the Velasco organization. I'm in management and everyone else is in labor. And they better not even thinking about going on strike. And maybe I'll think twice before agreeing to a "free" dinner.

To read more from Barb, visit My Crazy Life - Live, Laugh, Love

Recent Comments

  • Posted by: Debra
    Oh, so true ... I too went to college, worked in my profession for about 6 years, then "temporarily" became a stay-at-home mom to my first child. I now have 3 kids & I've been at this for 10 years! When I'm in this situation & am asked what I do, I always start with "at-home mom" but then add, "in my 'former life' I was...". I guess it makes me feel better to do this? Your blog is so timely for me because my youngest will start kindergarten next year - and then I will be back at work part time. I keep having this dream that I'm back at my old job, but I know absolutely nothing - not even how to turn on my computer! I guess I'm having a little anxiety about it! ;o)

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Posted by: Debra
Oh, so true ... I too went to college, worked in my profession for about 6 years, then "temporarily" became a stay-at-home mom to my first child. I now have 3 kids & I've been at this for 10 years! When I'm in this situation & am asked what I do, I always start with "at-home mom" but then add, "in my 'former life' I was...". I guess it makes me feel better to do this? Your blog is so timely for me because my youngest will start kindergarten next year - and then I will be back at work part time. I keep having this dream that I'm back at my old job, but I know absolutely nothing - not even how to turn on my computer! I guess I'm having a little anxiety about it! ;o)