Help Wanted: Terrible pay, great rewards

One of the problems with parenting is the lack of training prior to becoming one. Even with extensive training, being a parent is challenging.

A local reader shared the following, a parenting "help wanted" ad. If it had been presented this way, I'm not sure any of us would have applied.

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. 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 $20. 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 m.p.h. 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, unstopping mysteriously sluggish toilets, and releasing 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 hundreds of 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. (Please read exception in the addendum below.) 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! You also provide 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.

Another balloon payment is also due to pay for your daughter's wedding.

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

Addendum: If fortunate enough, you will become a grandparent! That's your promotion and your reward.