Homemaker on birth cert but actually still employed

[BubblegumTulips]

My DH went to register our baby's birth today and he gave my occupation as homemaker, as that's what I will be now. However I have not yet handed in my notice at work, because I am being cheeky and holding out for some accrued annual leave pay in about 8 months time. This is the only reason I've not officially resigned yet (it will get me about £2k just because of how the leave year falls). I don't mind my occupation being "homemaker" on the certificate, but is it actually legal? Given that it's a legal document and actually I am employed at the moment. Perhaps I'm overthinking it, but I don't want any problems when we come to apply for child benefit etc... Anyone know?

I also certainly wouldn’t have let my ex-DH go and register the birth for me. I did the pushing FFS! We went together but if we couldn’t have I would have gone alone. This is not Gilead!

Sometimes there is no choice. If the mother or baby is too unwell post birth, for example. My dad registered me as my mum was in hospital for an extended period following serious complications, and my friend didn’t want to leave her very premature baby in NICU.

I’d have been fine for dh to go alone. He’s a grown up and just as capable as me of filling in forms.

Actually yes 'homemaker' probably does define me more than 'retail worker'. I have much more control over what I do with each day than I did when working retail. It's hard to explain but my job made me very unhappy and trapped - low wage so couldn't quit because of bills to pay, couldn't afford to re train for something else because of the low wage and the randomness of the hours made it hard to plan in advance for things. Being a 'Homemaker' makes me feel free and in control.
But that's me. I know lots of folks won't feel like that.

But homemaking doesn’t generate an income, does it?

Ok, yes if someone is too ill to register then their DH can do it. But men putting the wrong NAME for the baby or the wrong occupation for the mum. That’s just plain old coercive control!

Yes Homemaker doesn't generate an income - unfortunatly!
But despite the fact I earned an income in my working life my life was pretty shitty compared to now.
I would love to have more money in my life. But our rent and bills are paid, food and clothes bought, hobbies and interests paid for so more money vs mental health. I pick mental health.

The question is about your occupation - it means a paid occupation not just what you do around the home. That’s the point. For hundreds of years women weren’t recognised for the paid work they did and now we can be!

As a 'homemaker' I do actually do more stuff than jobs around the home! Infact I have a busier community based life than I ever had when working. When working I often felt invisible and pointless - I was easily replaced when I left.

And on the census in the past many women's occupations were listed. It was really only Downton Abbey style wives that didn't 'work'. Homemaker is mostly a post second work war creation.

Second world war I meant.

But on the birth certificate we only counted as the chattels of men and the provider of a womb for the child. I am glad I live in the 21st century and am nobody’s possession.

My children's birth certificates list me differently as nursery nurse on DC1 although I had stopped working at 29 weeks and informed them I wasn't returning. DC2's lists me as 'housewife' which I requested rather than 'homemaker'

It doesn't matter legally but it would fuck me right off. Can you change it? You can change names and add parents up to a year, surely changing job is the same? My DS has my job which isn't the career I ended up in and that bothers me slightly (though it's perfectly correct)

But you will be unemployed very shortly, you have no intention of being a working mum. You just haven’t handed in your notice as you hanging on for more money

Op given you are technically still employed and may well change your mind I would see if it can be changed.

Thinking about your GGGrandchildren doing the family tree. Reading it would potentially make them think your gave up work when you got married.

Our marriage licence asked for our parents occupations. It bugs me that my MIL is down as the occupation she had before children. I wish we hadn't asked her as it not a true record of what she spent most of her active years doing.

I also certainly wouldn’t have let my ex-DH go and register the birth for me. I did the pushing FFS! We went together but if we couldn’t have I would have gone alone. This is not Gilead!
Firstly , he isn't registering the birth for YOU, it's both of yours baby.
Secondly, what the heck has you pushing for to do with it? The birth certificate isn't a prize for a vaginal delivery.
Thirdly, if you think sending your partner up to register the baby is Gieadian i think it speaks volumes about your relationship, not the reason the rest of us didn't register the babies ourselves DS was still in hospital, I wouldn't leave him, I told DH he had to go and register him. I trusted him to pick the we agreed.

Thinking about your GGGrandchildren doing the family tree. Reading it would potentially make them think your gave up work when you got married. or she gave I t up when she had kids, as she is actually doing.

OP I'd it bothers you request to change it and tell him he's paying for it. Only you know if he's I t as an act of control or if he's just thinking we'll she's finished work now.

When I had DS1 I was a clinical nurse specialist. I was a SAHM when I had DS2. When we went to register him the registrar was quite passionate that I used my previous professional title, it didn't legally matter that it wasn't my current job.

It's personal preference really. I put my current role as I don't have a "career" as such but I won't be working for months. It's different from what went on our marriage certificate 5 years ago. If you'd like homemaker then leave it. If you'd rather have your job then ask to change it.

I would be annoyed and get it changed. Homemaker isn't an occupation.

My child will carry that document as their I.D. in the future...I'd like them to know I had a job... anyone can be a homemaker whatever that means.

I find it patriarchal and patronising.