YOUR DREAM? OR YOUR CHILD'S?

I must first say that I respect the hell out of parents. I think it is by far the hardest job out there. Even when you talk to a parent who raised a well adjusted adult they will tell you they made many a mistake along the way. Ask that same parent what they see as a big mistake that some parents make, they will tell you time and time again they see parents pushing dreams on their children. For instance saving money for their child to go to college and never really asking if college is something that child has a desire to do. I know parents mean well when they do this, because yes education is important and it’s something you will always have, however it isn’t required for all career paths. Clearly there are several careers out there that do require college, but does the career your child is interested in require a degree? There are numerous success stories out there from folks who didn’t go to college, heck the reality show The Apprentice did a season with two teams about this very thing, those that had college degrees and those that didn’t but were extremely successful in the business world. Rob is another example for you, he owns his own business and does so successfully and he also does not have a college degree. One of my nieces wanted to be a hairstylist and my sister’s answer to that was ‘well that’s great and all but you are still going to college.’ It sucks the sails right away of a child to disregard what their true talents might be. Hairstylist’s by the way can make a super good living, hell some end up owning their own salons, some go on to do hair for the rich and famous and others work at the same salon for years with a huge client base and are happy and fulfilled.  I think some parents wanted to be that football star for the NFL, the person with a Master’s Degree, a Model, etc… and when those things didn’t happen for them they try and push it on their child. Please don’t take what your regrets are and have your child live out your dream for you. Help them to become who THEY are meant to be, encourage their passions. Look I understand how hard it would be for a  father who is obsessed with sports and wants his kid to play baseball but the kid keeps telling him that he doesn’t like baseball and would rather play guitar, is that the last thing the father wanted to hear,? I am sure it is, but after the dad recovers QUICKLY from the shock without throwing a big stink, he then should take the money he would have spent on baseball stuff for his kid and get him a guitar, who knows instead of his son becoming the next Derek Jeter, maybe he’ll become the next Eddie Van Halen!! When you talk with parents you can see the love they have for their child, they do mean well and they want what is best for their child, but sometimes what you as a parent think is the best career choice for your child, wouldn’t be their choice at all, recognizing that helps this to be A Wonderful Life!!