Walking in the Valley A bi-weekly column, featuring one Christian's (a)musings on life's journey by Barbara Dahlgren

Some Jobs You Can’t Put a Price Tag On Column for the weeks of May 1-15, 2008

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The outside of my card read, “Mom, for all you do, you deserve a Hawaiian vacation…” The inside read, “You won’t get it, but you certainly deserve it.” I guess similarly we could say to all the moms out there, “You deserve a big, fat raise for being a mom…” “But since you don’t get paid for what you do – you won’t get it, but you certainly deserve it!”

Mom’s salary can be calculated at mom.salary.com, but even if daddy does help with the kids, the result will be the same: She’s overworked and underpaid. A multitasker long before there was such a word, mom keeps the home functioning by providing every service imaginable.

And these are the services you can put a price tag on. What price do you put on moral supporter, encourager, biggest fan, or confidant? The passion and love she puts into her job, makes it priceless. How else could a mom keep doing what she does without reciprocity? No salary, no stock options, no health insurance plan, no paid holidays, no pension plan, and not even a “Good job!” or “Well done!” because she’s just doing what is expected of her.

There is no compensation for working overtime or feeling unappreciated. There is no bonus for raising kids to be productive members of society and no assurance this will be the end result. No mom is guaranteed her child will even “rise up and call her blessed” (Proverbs 31:28). In fact, many kids don’t realize what sacrifices were made for them until they are grown with children of their own. Husbands do praise her though – when she gets sick and they have to do everything she usually does. They know a word of encouragement will get her on her feet quicker.

So I say, let’s double mom’s salary this year. Give her two kisses instead of one and several bonus hugs! She deserves it! There are some jobs you just can’t put a price tag on!

Be sure to visit this page often to read the next edition of Walking in the Valley. You can write to the author at bdahlgren@wcgsouthbay.org.