The conclusion of an investigation by Salary.com, a company based in Waltham, Massachusetts, reported its findings this week. Salary.com specializes in determining compensation.
Forty thousand (40,000) mothers responded online to Salary.com explaining their job duties and how many hours they worked each week. It was reported that the typical mother has a 92-hour work week and works at least ten jobs. In order of hours spent per week in these roles, they are: housekeeper, daycare teacher, cook, computer operator, laundry operator, custodian, facility manager, van driver, CEO, and psychologist. Salary.com calculated median salaries for each position and calculated the average number of hours worked in each, and the company earned $138,095, which they said was three percent more than last year’s results.
Gospel artist Shirley Caesar covered a country gospel song in 1975. I was reminded of the following lyrics while reading this report.
“For the nine months I’ve held you inside me, free of charge. For the nights I’ve sat with you, cared for you, and prayed for you, free of charge. For the time, tears, and cost through the years , there is no charge. When you add it all up, the full cost of my love is free. For the nights full of gray and the worries ahead. For the advice and the knowledge and the costs of your free university. For the toys, the school And the clothes. And for wiping your nose, there’s no charge, son. When you add that in, the whole total cost of my love is no charge.”
Credit must be given to Salary.com for their wisdom in not trying to put a monetary value on a Mother’s love. Positions that the survey did not include in a mother’s job duties were: doctor and nurse, peace ambassador/referee, coach, personal shopper, seamstress, hairdresser, and liaison specialist. The survey said that even a mother who works full time outside the home spends $89,939 working as a mother.
We pay tribute to all mothers everywhere. It is not necessary to have conceived and given birth to be considered a mother. There are men who are fulfilling the role of “mother” today. There are mothers who gave life to their babies, only to give up their babies in the hope of a better life.
If your work is your family, your contribution is immeasurable. Moms wear a lot of hats. They just do what needs to be done. He sets aside a day to give honor where it is due. Phone companies have reported for years that Mother’s Day is the busiest calling day of the year. This seems quite appropriate to me.
All the listed job duties are not done by a mother. It’s what’s inside her heart.
The gospel song, No Charge, ends with these lyrics:
“Well, when I think of that, I think of the day that Jesus went up to Calvary and gave his life as a ransom for me. When I think of the words, ‘If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature.’ I like to think of the moment. He shed his blood. My debt was paid in full and I want you to know today, when you add it all up, the full cost of real love is free.”
A mother’s love is priceless. Mother’s Day is every day!
Copyright © 2007 by Avis Ward of GeoVi’s Home for Life
