Why the Zoo Keeper? - Mouths of Mums

“Are you really a Zoo Keeper?” I hear you ask. Well, kind of! Let me explain…

I was super lucky to have some ME time recently, on a brief, but blissful Bali getaway with my sister. After having two kids so close, the past couple of years have been a roller coaster to say the least (hands in the air, here we go!). My hubby was adamant that once I finished breastfeeding I should take some time away – bless him! Days were spent indulging in massages, scrolling through the cocktail list and peacefully gliding through the pool (or doing bombs, depending on our mood) – generally just doing things as we pleased.

I was often asked “What do you do with yourself back home?”

With a big proud smile, I’d go on to explain my full time Mum duties and all about my two small kids… blah blah blah… their eyes were quickly glazing over, I was losing them… they were BORED.

Their attention would dart to my sister who would go on to tell her story. A blooming artist with a love of beautiful things. A creative mind, a traveller and so on. Well the difference in response was amazing. She almost got a cheer people were so thrilled. And rightly so, she is a clever cookie that girl.

Got me thinking though… a ‘Mum’ can sound boring, and more so, a full time ‘Stay at home Mum’.

I know its not, it is full of craziness, laughs, tears, achievements and cuddles (my daily highlight). It’s also very important and rewarding and so on and so on.

Anyway, to spice things up I started changing my job to ‘Zoo Keeper’.

I never mentioned my little monkeys were my own two kids (Mac 2, and Lila 8 months). This excited people – they wanted to know more.

The two jobs are similar; we both cook, clean, look after, entertain and nurture these little monkeys everyday. Needless to say my eldest is mildly (OK, massively) obsessed with anything “banana” related.

From there it only seemed fitting to establish myself as ‘The Zoo Keeper’

What do you call yourself? A doctor, nurse, chef or even a cuddlemonster?

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21 Comments

- - ella12 said
  - 17 Oct 2017
    3:47 pm
Hmm, now there is something to think about.

- - mom81879 said
  - 21 Nov 2015
    3:36 pm
That is a really funny story! I just call myself mum, that covers so many things with just one word!

- - smiles said
  - 30 Apr 2015
    9:03 pm
Hahaha very funny glad you had a nice relaxing time with your sister. Not sure I can come up with a job title.

- - christial said
  - 23 Feb 2015
    8:38 pm
Love it! Fun and interesting way to look at your ‘job’.. I need to come up with my own..

- - mom94125 said
  - 12 Jan 2015
    4:37 pm
that is really funny….i don’t know what i would call myself

- - mom113991 said
  - 11 Jan 2015
    5:34 pm
ha ha too funny. but a very fitting description

- - mom57808 said
  - 08 Jan 2015
    7:16 am
great ideas , great imagination

- - matildaspice said
  - 07 Jan 2015
    10:41 pm
I must admit I have often felt the same way.

- - mom117219 said
  - 06 Jan 2015
    10:03 pm
professional mother

- - neenee said
  - 01 Jan 2015
    12:06 pm
Like you post. Personally I say I’m a nurse. Cleaning the forever damaged three in my care. They climb trees whenever they can.

- - kazjl said
  - 21 Dec 2014
    7:01 pm
I call myself mum, little miss calls me mumma and everyone else in the house calls me “the boss” lol.

- - zenbart said
  - 21 Dec 2014
    2:59 pm
Hahaha. I used to call my children that too. When ever someone ask me, I say I’m looking after five monkeys and an older one. Maybe I should change it too Zoo keeper or a Vet. That will make it interesting. We can all have a laugh once in a while.

- - mom71735 said
  - 21 Dec 2014
    1:52 am
domestic engineer

- - mom58162 said
  - 18 Dec 2014
    6:02 pm
I used to fill in forms and put R&D. Research and Development, well with 3 young children it was both of those and perfectly summed up what life was about. I always felt a bit looked ‘down on’ for staying at home and so I spiced up my title. I’m older now and so are my children, but I shouldn’t have felt that way, because it is one of the most important jobs in the world. Heads up mums everywhere, don’t hide your job, shout it very loudly. Because your worth it.
- mom93821 replied
  
  18 Dec 2014 , 9:56 pm
  I agree; be loud and proud!
- - maurya said
  - 17 Dec 2014
    5:39 pm
Thanks for sharing this interesting article.

- - stepmom107932 said
  - 17 Dec 2014
    5:27 pm
that is the most genius thing i have ever heard and kids can be worse than animals they can be monsters someday

- - rovermum said
  - 17 Dec 2014
    2:06 pm
Hubby refers to me as The Boss in jest! I like it! And I’m pleased he understands that’s the way it is!!!

- - meedee said
  - 17 Dec 2014
    12:51 pm
Phft….ask someone who is unable to have children and they would love the opportunity to be called a Mum.
I am a Mum and its all I ever wanted to be. Im a stay at home Mum and proud of it. I really dont give a fig who thinks its boring…its my life and I dont think its boring at all. I am here for my kids 24/7 and Im so glad that I am able to do that.
- cherz replied
  
  17 Dec 2014 , 9:39 pm
  me tooo ..well done..
- - mom93821 said
  - 17 Dec 2014
    7:32 am
Thanks for sharing this article; pity that these people were not interested and that their eyes glazed over; being a mum/parent is one of the hardest jobs in the world! You are an artist(maybe with finger paint!), traveller(taxi!), chef(hiding those vegies in food!), event management planner(parties!), counsellor(upsets and tears!) and so much more! Zoo keeper is a cute name! Being a mum can be one of the most rewarding(maybe no money!) jobs in the world!