Sure mom, but I make more than you and dad ever did doing less, and it's feeding your grandchildren. What do you want from me?
Stopped paying real attention years ago, but it's usually a story where she knows a person who makes however many dollars a year and I could have too. I don't think this discussion would have been any different if I was in one of those jobs.
That person usually works 60-80 hours a week. She leaves out the times when it isn't a great year in that area and they were laid off for 8 months. She misses the toll on your body working like that takes. She doesn't realize the cost of the trucks and the tools, if you need them.
I guess it is easier when you simplify down to $X a year for your best year.
If you were a plumber, she'd have an easy answer when talking to her friends about what doubled112 does. Plumber is a job everyone understands at a basic level; most of the trades are because you can point to a finished product. "He builds things like that."
Sometimes an analogy can help; I've definitely told people I'm an internet plumber and that seems to satisfy their curiosity.
I'm not sure you come out as the winner here...
I agree... one of my relatives hates programming and used to tell me learning to code was a waste of time. Now I get a bigger check at the end of the month despite the fact he's an overworked doctor, and I'm sitting on my arse at home building some CRUD. Pick carefully who you listen to.