I mean, they are 8 and 6 years old now. Totally an advanced enough age to have a rational change of heart about their futures. 

I’m not trying to guide them in any direction. Not yet.

Mind you, I don’t see myself as the kind of person who will try to force her kids into one job or another. 

I had some dreams as a kid, and they didn’t work out for me. Mostly because I didn’t have my parents’ support. They didn’t think my choices were the right ones, and stood in the way. They were doing it to “help” me.

I know I’m not the only one who experienced this. 

It just took me extra time and effort to get where I wanted to be, and to accept that some of my dreams might not ever come true. I had to pick and choose as an adult, and I won’t complain about the dream I chose. I’m busting my butt to make it come true, every day. Fighting to make it come true is making me happier than I’ve ever been.

Yet, I hope when they day comes when my own kids have their most fully-formed dreams, they will trust my judgement when they ask my opinion.

I know them better than they know themselves, sometimes. 

Whether I tell them how to reach those dreams or think there is a similar dream they might be better suited for that they didn’t even know existed, I hope they hear me out and I hope I handle it the right way. I hope they feel encouraged, supported, and heard.

I hope they work hard to prove me wrong, if I am wrong.

I don’t need them to be something I’m not or fulfill a dream of my own that I didn’t get to achieve. I just want them to find what’s right for them, and do whatever it takes to make it happen. 

Well.

Maybe not quite yet. 

But some day.

~ ~ ~

Me: What do you guys want to be when you grow up?

6yo Daughter: I know! An artist, work in a pizza place, and be on SpongeBob.

8yo Son: I can’t decide. I want to work in a pizza place, too. And be a game show host. And be a cat burglar like on theNationwide commercialbecause that means I can have as many TVs as I want.

6yo Daughter: ME, TOO! ME, TOO! I wanna be a cat burglar, too! We can wear all black and do flips and have TVs in our rooms!

Me: Well. I guess everybody’s gotta have a dream…right?

So, what are YOUR kids’ dream careers right now?