The temperamental climate at work has meant that I’ve been thinking about my ‘career’ a lot lately. I say ‘career’ because I abandoned the notion of a Career the instant I clapped eyes on my firstborn. While once I thought ‘climbing the ladder’ was a purposeful and interesting way to spend my time, nowadays I have a job and I’m happy with that. But sometimes I think ‘coulda, shoulda, woulda…’
I’m ‘in advertising’, I used to be ‘in marketing’ and then at one stage I was ‘in PR’. What I really want for the Tsunamis is that they be A Something. A plumber, a delivery driver, a doctor, a farmer, a zoo keeper, a researcher… just A Something. A Something that has a bit of meaning, that’s a Career, a Vocation.
At my work the expression ‘we’re not saving lives’ is often raised to try to quell the hysteria that builds when we are behind on our mega-urgent, mega-important drop-dead oh-dear-god-are-we-going-to-make-it deadline… to put an advertisement into a newspaper. (Hmmmm… I wonder what the neurosurgeons say when they are equally as Stressed Out with Very Pressing and Important Matters?)
I’d like the Tsunamis to be able to say “Me? Oh, I’m A…” and launch into a riveting account of their day doing something important. “I saved a woman’s house from flooding” or “I helped birth a baby elephant” or “I introduced three new people to the artwork of Bugalugs”.
Maxi used to want to work in a museum but now he wants to be A Film Maker and make films about animals (or Zhu Zhu pets judging by his debut film which wrapped about a month ago and is currently in editing). Cappers wants to assist Maxi to make films about animals (not surprisingly she used to want to assist Maxi at the museum). But in her spare time she wants to be An Artist. The Badoo is practicing to become A Kickboxing / Headbutting / Martial Arts Expert. She’s but moments away…
Jane says
My daughter wants to be a vet or a zoologist. She understands now about uni and all the time it takes. Hilariously (or not depending on your point of view) she tells me that she can’t ‘be a vet and also have children’ ‘Why not’ I ask, as a person with a job and children, and she looks at me as if I am insane and says ‘Mummy you can’t possibly do both’. I may need to work on that one.
The thing I want most of all is for my children to be happy, fulfilled and not bored in whatever they do, whatever that may be.
Joni Llanora says
What a nice post. When I was pregnant with Anya, I hoped she would be able to do the things I regret not doing – sports, dance, swim & even karate. But when I found out she had a disability, I threw them expectations away so as not to disappoint me and her. I just support her interests now and as of today, she’d like to be a rock star AND an opera singer AND a scientist. She often gets overwhelmed just thinking about the options of what she’d be. I just hope she finds her ultimate passion in time for uni.
Cat says
I feel the and felt the same way about the career thing. Work is well, ok, but not the whole “me” in the way it was. I would LOVE the Bebito to have a vocation too but mostly I want him to be well rounded in his interests and that unlike his father, he be able to be great at what he does for a paid job he hold firm to the other things that he loves too. Sport/art/music whatever it is. I know so many men who just become their jobs, my darling husband included. Just quietly though I’d love the Bebito to do something creative. Ultimately if he’s happy that’s the most important thing but his mama sure would like to go to a gallery opening or two on his handsome arm 😉 though I think his Dada holds out in hope if him being an F1 driver! 😉
MomAgain@40 says
I am in exactly the same space as you – my babies come first!
But I still want be something 😉 Someday…
I don’nt have any aspirations for them, except that they do something that they enjoy!
(I try to tell my teen that it helps when there is big salaries involved, but it doesn’t help! She also wants to Save the World!)
april says
I love when I tell people I’m an actor infront of my kids and they turn around and go “Really!” – yes, am obviously making a strong impression on them :s
My son wants to design computer games and my daughter wants to be an artist or a zoologist as she doesn’t think she’d deal with putting animals to sleep…Love how they both are passionate about it 🙂
Naturally Carol says
I think I’d just like mine to ‘grow up’, they are in their twenties but sometimes I feel they were more grown up when they were children! (love your new look!)
BabyMac says
I have DESPERATELY wanted to be “a something” and never quite have. Always been “in” something. I am very jealous of my husband who is A director/producer/film maker/editor/director of own company. Surely he can only be all those things because of me right?!
Daisy would quite like to be “a” doctor. Which is awesome. Although I would quite like her to be “a” hairdresser so I can finally get my foils for free and not have to make polite chit chat with someone and then hand over hundreds of dollars. Harper I think will be “a” boofhead who likes to drink rum and coke and drive utes. She is 13 months though, so maybe a little early to tell.
In any case I think you are “a” star!
Liz says
I think the best thing my father ever said to me was “I don’t care what you do, as long as you’re happy”.
Watching classmates struggle under their parents expectations made me realise how important that was.
Mrs Woog says
I used to be “in publishing” before I became “in mothering” . My kids already know what they are going to be. Jack is going to be a fairy and Harry is going to be Bondi Vet.
ClaireyH says
I have the same thoughts about being ‘in Marketing’
I was supposed to be An Economist, did a second maker in marketing and ended up in finance marketing which lead to just being in Marketing. I love it, but I also hope my girls have a desire to be a something rather than in something.
My Dad recently started a sentence with “people like you in jobs that don’t really do, make or provide anything, don’t see the real world very often…and fail to understand…
I took it to heart, which was not his purpose, but still a reminder that we are not saving the world, or even the old lady next door,…until you need a fundraiser to rope in a few bucks, then watch us fly!
flowerpress says
What a great question. I want mine to find the thing they are really passionate about, I think you have to be lucky to find that.
Mr D said this afternoon he was going to be an artist or soccer player, or both. Gotta love that 🙂
Bronnie and family says
My daughter wants to be a ‘massage girl’ or a ‘police’. My son wants to be a fashion designer/makeup artist/hairstylist and/or writer.
I will be happy as long as they are happy.
littlebetty says
You sound a little like I used to – I used to work in advertising, then marketing, then communications in the music industry, then I got made redundant on maternity leave (yep they can do that!). Now I am studying to be a teacher – couldn’t be happier! I’m hoping I will make a difference.
fairchildstreet says
I don’t want my son to do some waste of time new age degree. I would like him to do a degree or apprenticeship that gives him skills that he can travel the world with. Medicine, Law, Accounting, then there are all the trades. Most importantly though do something that makes your heart sing. Then you can do it for the rest of your life. Charmaine
brismod says
I totally understand about “not saving lives business” having done the marketing/PR thing many moons ago. For my children, I just hope they are smart enough to know right from wrong, are decent people and find something or someone that they love. xx
Kymmie says
I’ve been In and I’ve been A. And now I’m another A – A mum. It’s my favourite vocation/career choice so far. As for my boys, I think that Madison has stopped wanting to be a fireman and has replaced that love for being a superhero. I guess they are both A’s hey (and life saving in different ways)? And Noah? Hmmm, so far I think he is going to be Evil Kinevil. That’s neither In or A… Just a Noun. xx
Kymmie says
So my word verification was “redness”. Is that In Redness or A Redness? Hmmm…
Mrs BC says
My big wish for for my children is that they are happy & healthy. They can be anything they want as long as they are happy in their own skin. I feel the concept of ‘Career’ has changed so much in the last decade that you can be several ‘A’s; or ‘In’ lots of things at once – which is great, because I don’t think anyone should be defined by their career. Note to self – write blog post about this personal lesson!
xx
Rachel says
Bip wants to be a race car driver…. and Bop wants to be a cowgirl…. but this can change at any given point
Glen says
Do Rocket Scientists say “It’s not exactly Rocket Science” when trying to explain something easy to their apprentice?
I’d like my boys to be Sandra Bullock’s step kids.
Lucy says
A friend of ours is a doctor (a radiologist, working predominantly with nuclear medicine).
He frets it is now the ONLY thing he will EVER do. That he has no opportunity to change.
(I suggest to him that he is in golden handcuffs financially, but you can still see the wistfullness in his eyes.)
Good Golly Miss Holly! says
We muck around and say that the Bug will win an Oscar for best actress in a drama, and the Boy is going to be a doctor. Doctor by night, chorus boy on Broadway by night! Hahahahaaa
Jacki says
This is a really timely post, as I’ve just started thinking that maybe I’m ready to figure out what I want to be when I ‘grow up’ (I’m 31!). All I want for my kids is that they enjoy their career and it brings them happiness. I can’t wait to see what they’re interested in.
Anne says
My 8 year old wants to be a writer and a vet. My 6 year old wants to be a rock star, a vet and a fireman. I tell them these are all wonderful aspirations. I feel like if I support them and help them to grow up to be confident women they will find success. I worked in the film business in Hollywood and we used to say “it’s not brain surgery” all the time. The amount of stress and madness that goes on in that business is truly insane! At least if you’re a neurosurgeon you actually have a reason to be stressed. But then again, neurosurgeons need to be entertained so they can relax, recharge and be ready for a day of operating on brains…..
Becky says
My girls aren’t yet old enough to want to be anything in particular, but I hope they become ‘a something’, too as I wish I had become ‘a something’ before I got pregnant.
Curvaceous Queen says
My youngest son changes almost daily but my daughter wants to be a unicorn. More power to her. Me, I want them to be happy. If digging ditches float their boats then I’ll buy them a shovel.
_vTg_ says
An interesting perspective! Especially as my big career change involves moving from “a” to “in”… oops! As far as my children- I hope they find a passion that keeps them going for their whole working life. Yep, projecting my wishes onto them 🙂
life in a pink fibro says
Oh you know us, we’re all about a Slashie over here. Look forward to the Zhu Zhu blockbuster.
Stacia says
Lollipop wants to make pink dresses. Giggles wants to drive a garbage truck. And I’m okay with that, or whatever else they happen to decide on.
PS: I’ve missed you!
Vanessa says
I used to be a Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse. Very passionate, very capable and very giving. Then I had my own baby and my career did not matter. I have been a Stay at home Mum for five years after juggling two nightshifts a week (for two years) to try and keep the work life balance. No balance for anyone in working nightshift!
Miss 11 is wanting to be a lawyer only until her first best seller is published, miss 9 is setting up her own French restaurant in France, marrying a French man and having three children. She already has two friends wanting to be her staff. Master 20 months is envious beyond belief about the rubbish truck man whom he waves to over the fence each week.
Bubby Makes Three says
This post has kinda apt timing.. I resigned from my very serious government marketing officer role just last week after 2 years of maternity leave. Its not the job I’ll miss, but that feeling of knowing my place in the world — having an answer when someone asks me ‘and what do you DO’ that isnt ‘well, actually I tear around after two children and wrestle with my washing basket full-time’. But what to do next?!!?
My children? Who knows… hopefully they will be happy with whatever they choose though. An architect might be handy for their poor old mum who is desperate to design a house one day and failed to marry an architect despite her best aspirations!!!
Jaclyn says
love this post – somehow as i get older the ‘climbing the ladder’ part of me takes a back seat and the ‘work to live’ out weighs the ‘live to work’ mentality of my 20’s…
Anonymous says
Lovely scharfe Post. Hätte nie gedacht, dass es so einfach war. Hinsicht auf Sie!