|
Your Kid's Career - Whose Choice?
A strange thing happened to me today. Or more precisely, a
strange thought occurred. You see, my eldest son
helped me install a new kitchen. He was the expert handyman.
Me? Well, I was the 'gofor':
"Dad, could you go for this?"
"Dad, will you go for that . . ."
And you know, it took me back to my childhood. I used to
stand by MY dad's side, helping him mend this and build
that. What a pride I took in those days, holding a plank of
wood at one end while he measured it, or going into his
toolbox to fetch a bigger screwdriver. The master and the
apprentice!
Yet despite all my admiration, I never quite mastered the
secrets of DIY. In my own house, I muddle through jobs as
best I can, or just leave them undone. Occasionally I'll
send for a tradesman.
Yet somehow I raised a son who, like his Grandad, can turn
his hand to anything - while I STILL stand and watch!
This particular creative talent managed to skip a
generation, only to re-emerge with a flourish in my boy.
There lies the crux of this article.
We each discover our own talents, leanings, and strong
points. As a teacher I hear so many kids complain about
their parents, who - with the best will in the world! -
force their kids into curriculum choices or career paths
which say more about the parents and their
aspirations.
Why do so many of us insist on directing, or even
dictating, career choices for our kids?
Many possible reasons spring to mind:
- perhaps we compensate for our own lack of
achievement
- or we want to bask in the reflected glory
- we fear that if we don't push them, their talents will
remain unused or under-developed
- maybe we think we'll lose face with our neighbours,
friends or family if our child doesn't enter a high profile
or glamorous 'profession'
- or maybe we just feel that as parents we know
best
Talk about a recipe for disaster!
Trying to live our own lives through our kids tends
to fill them with resentment. Go along this path and we'll
soon encounter a breakdown in relationships, and our kids
will seethe with unhappiness and a lack of fulfilment.
Sometimes our children may even go along with our wishes
because they want to please. They feel grateful for all
we've done and don't want to disappoint us. The outcome here
can be even more insidious: if a child or young person
lacks one hundred per cent commitment to the path we choose
for them, it can manifest itself in low achievement,
depression and even physical illness.
What a waste of everyone's time, energy, talents and
resources!
On the other hand, we do want to guide them, don't
we? We instinctively know we should give them the
benefit of our experience.
So how do we go about it?
The key lies in ENCOURAGEMENT.
From the earliest possible age, encourage your child to be
confident, positive, and optimistic.
And observe them in all they do. Cherish their uniqueness,
and enjoy seeing their individual talents unfold.
Avoid forcing any issues; concentrate on encouraging growth
and development, even if - especially if! - their talents
take them along a road unfamiliar to you. Often, what a
parent least expects develops into a major plus in their
child.
Strive for open and unbiased expectations. If ballet dancing
interests your child, encourage him or her to research that
activity, try it out, and make a confident, realistic
appraisal - don't try to force them into medicine or the law
instead!
In high school some teachers encourage kids to make their
curriculum choices to suit future career aspirations. But
this stresses many unsure kids. My advice has borne fruit
over the years: "Choose what you're best at and what
you enjoy most. The rest will take care of itself!"
And it does.
Again, encourage confidence and optimism.
Because today and in the future, most of our kids will not
enjoy the luxury previous generations enjoyed - a job for
life. Our kids need adaptability in order to face change
willingly and without fear.
By encouraging them to follow their hearts, we can do much
to help them.
Happy parenting!
Why do some parents and children succeed, while others
fail?
Frank McGinty is an internationally published author and
teacher. If you want to develop your parenting skills and
encourage your kids to be all they can be, visit his web
pages,
http://www.frank-mcginty.com/peace-formula.html
AND
http://www.frank-mcginty.com/for-parents.html
Frank McGinty
More Articles
Do you satisfied with your job career now? - Cecilia Chang
Copyright © Cecilia Chang Maybe you should think about this question first… What job are you doing now in your daily life? Do you ask people this question or are you the one being asked? If you are found hanging around at home every weekday,...
The Advantages of Attending a Career College. - Max Stein
There are many educational choices for this year’s crop of graduating seniors. Traditional colleges, both four-year colleges and community colleges, are becoming less and less of a “fit” for students. Long times to graduate, waiting lists for...
Learning A Career In Freight Transportation Brokering. - Maria De Suz
Training individuals the "Freight Transportation" business. Whether a driver wanting off the road or a mom wanting to stay at home with the children. This is how I got started in training others. In this business it boils down to you and if your a...
Got the Career Blues? Step Outside the Box! - Claudette Rowley
You have permission to publish this article electronically or in print as long as the resource box is included. Please notify me of publication by sending a website link or copy of your publication to claudette@metavoice.org. Word Count: 511 ...
9 Secrets to Career Success - Bill Dueease
Are you miserable at your job (or what you are doing) but go anyway to earn a living? Do you feel you are unable to use your talents and are doing things that are stressful? Do you find yourself in a career rut? Wouldn’t you rather be in your ideal...
Business & Career Success: Know Your Ruling Star! - James Clayton Napier
Business and Career Success: Know Your Ruling Star! by James Clayton Napier "Know your Ruling Star. One man is better received by one nation than another, or is one welcome by one city than another. He finds more luck in one office or position...
Rethink Your Career Transition - Richard Hanes
Are you going nowhere in your career? If you’ve decided it’s time to change your career completely, here’s a new way of changing! Before you jump ship, think about what’s been happening in your career. Have you been making little or no progress for...
Career Track: Application Developer - Free Oracle Aps net C Oracle Apps training
Article:
Application Developer Roles and Responsibilities:
As an Application Developer, you will create programs that run
on the Internet, specific operating systems or hand held
devices. This career has evolved considerably over the...
Planning Your Career - Stefanie Spikell
Planning your Career - What are the Fastest Growing Occupations
? There are jobs everywhere, that's for sure. But are they jobs
that you want? And will they offer the kind of growth
opportunities that you are looking for? Review the list...
Four Sure-Fire Ways To Kill Your New Real Estate Career - Fred De La Riva
Whenever I open the mail, or read the real estate ads in the newspaper, or even surf real estate websites, I much too often come across agents who I know will fail in their new careers. The reasons are many, but in this lesson, I will only focus on...
Juggling a Career and Work - David Pierce
Finding the time to do it all - career, family, continue education? Having trouble jugging? Some problems in this area that people face are very similar to those of the beginning juggler. According to The Instant Jugglers' Manual,...
Change Your Career, Change Your Life! - Marilyn J Tellez M A
Lots of times I see and talk to people who are tired, bored and burnt out of their current jobs. I'm not sure what causes this dis- satisfaction. One reason, though, that I've thought about is that the work they are doing is not their life...
|
