Following in your parents footsteps

May 11, 2019 Karen 19 comments

I heard on the radio that Romeo Beckham feels that he is letting his dad down because he isn’t very good at football. This got me thinking; should we expect our children to follow in our footsteps and if so are we putting too much pressure on them?

Regular readers will be aware that I  worked as a registered child minder for many happy years, this has definitely had an influence on my children. My youngest son really doesn’t like children ( my husband says that he has scares from all the children that I looked after , but I think that  that they benefited from their mum being a child minder).

This son once told me that he hadn’t inherited anything from me; all his genes came from his dad, I corrected him and said ” Your love of children was passed down from me!” I won’t repeat his response.

Thankfully my other boys  do like children , my middle son has given me 3 wonderful grandchildren, although he works as a children’s entertainer, he insists that he doesn’t work with children, like I did; he is paid by parents to keep their children entertained (  and that is completely different apparently!).

I used to child mind for parents who were both teachers; all 3  of their offspring have followed in their footsteps by becoming teachers

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A boy who I used to care for once asked me if boys could be child minders because he wanted to be just like me when he grew up  and a girl who still calls me her second mum told me she was going to be a child minder or a teacher because I had inspired her, she works for British Airways, so that never transpired!

My granddaughter, Katlyn loves her baby dolls so I tell her that she could be a child minder when she is older.

 

A friend, who works as a handyman told me that when his son was a toddler he used his screw driver to remove all the door hinges; he was following in his dad’s footsteps far too young. He was given a toy tool set soon after.

All I ever wanted and still want for my sons  is that they are happy , I don’t mind how they make a living, but I would like more grandchildren please!

I would like to thank Sarah Knight for sharing her photos of Megan wearing her surgical gloves. while pretending to be a podiatrist like her mum.

Have your children followed in your footsteps or decided to do something completely different? Please share any experiences with me.

As always questions, comments and topic suggestions are welcome.

Until next time.

Karen

x

19 Comments on “Following in your parents footsteps

  1. Another lovely blog Karen. Our children have achieved far more than we did and we are so proud of them and our eight grandchildren. Keep the blogs coming !

  2. At the moment my daughter wants to be a zoo keeper. Her dad is an accountant and I’m a stay at home mum, so I’m not sure she’s planning to follow in either of our footsteps! #kcacols

  3. My mum was a stay at home mum, and I am now predominantly a housewife so you could say I followed her example.

    #abitofeverything

  4. I used to play football for years and years as a child and teen, and my youngest also plays football. 😀
    My oldest is very interested in PC, gaming and electronics etc, he want’s to be an electrician when he “grows up”, so he’s also a bit like me hehe.
    My daughter also loves gaming, but she also loves art and drawing – I can not draw for my life hahaha, but I do love art so…

    I think we all have a bit of everything in the family that is split. 😀

    #KCACOLS

  5. I guess as small kids our parents professions or skills are the things we know most about. My mum is a textile artist and I think it put me off and I never sew anything! #KCACOLS

  6. I think that my mom being a nurse played a part in my decision to enter healthcare and its been very rewarding. I can see my daughter one day taking the same path but I think as long as they know that we will support them whatever they decide, I don’t think pressure is a good thing #KCACOLS

  7. Very fun post. I took care of children when I was a stay at home mom and then worked in an after school center and then preschool. My daughter grew up not wanting children of her own but I am not sure if it was because she had two little brothers, there were always extra kids in my home as she was growing up or because she worked with me at the after school center. My youngest son wants as many children as possible! None of my three children work with kids or drive a train like their dad did. They all chose their own paths and we supported them along the way!

  8. I think it’s quite a vanity to want our children to follow in our footsteps, no matter how successful. They are their own person so should have their own dreams and vision to match them (I know a few people that did medical degrees to then become a fashion designer or something else upon finishing it – I’m guessing that was more to do with proving to their parents that they could do it, just didn’t want to). I think there are so many more interesting jobs out their now, we’re limiting them if we encourage them to follow in our footsteps. Of course if they have no idea what to do, then that is a safe and easy option for experience….#Stayclassymama (I am actively encouraging young people to become DJ’s or musicians as I think youth is the time to at least try at that. If it doesn’t take off, there’s still plenty of time to become something else)

  9. I’m waiting to see what my kids decide to do with their lives. I definitely didn’t follow either of my parents footsteps. I believe kids should be encouraged to follow their hearts desires with a passion. #KCACOLS

  10. My daughter has mentioned journalism … and I could have been knocked down with a feather … but she is only 15 so nowhere near decided on her true path. My son, aged 134?> Not a clue yet. He just loves football and Fortnite! #ABloggingGoodTime

  11. I always wanted to be a teacher like my mum but got a bit lost at uni. I worked as an unqualified teacher for a while. I have no idea what my children will do when they are older! Thanks for linking up with #globalblogging

  12. I think its all about giving your children the attitude to want to follow their dreams. To aim for their personal goals. For us as parents to help guide them and act as a safety net.

  13. In some ways I followed in my mums footsteps as I became a stay at home mum after having a career, although now they are at school I do work for a few months a year during Tax time. As a childI was in awe of my teachers and it is all I ever wanted to do for the longest time, but that didn’t happen. My husband has gone a very different way to his parents, and as for my children they are yet to decide what the wish to be. To be honest I can not even fathom a guess as to what they will choose. My oldest just turned 15 and in 3.5 years will maybe go to university but who knows if she does what she will study is anyones guess, she loves Writing, Science, Art, and Computer Programming at the moment and excels in learning Languages. So I don’t know. It is always fun to wonder though. Thank you for linking up and sharing with us #ABloggingGoodTime

  14. I think you are right. My mum works in a shop as do I and two of my sisters. My daughter has informed me she is going to be an actress so we will wait and see #kcacols

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