What did your family want you to be when you grew up? Are you doing it now?

Question

While we're on the subject, what do you want your children to be? Don't give me any of that "I want them to do what makes them happy" stuff; I know you have a vision for them.

For the record, my grandmother wants me to be a speech therapist, but I told her that I would be horrible at it.

Answer 1

When I was growing up my parents would praise my siblings and tell them how successful they would be, and they would go on forever and ever about it at the dinner table.

Then they would look at me and say "You will work at burger king for the rest of your life you stupid F*ck up."

Answer 2

They wanted me to be a Doctor, I became a SAP cosultant instead, but I'm happy.

Answer 3

You know no one ever told me to be something.  I think they were respectful enough to leave that up to me.  They just wanted me to be successful in what I did,  work to my full potential and create sable relationships and friendships.

Answer 4

My folks never set strict guidelines, but whatever career path I would choose, they wanted me to be 1) independent and 2) rich. When my brother decided at the age of 10 that he wanted to become an airline pilot, I tried to keep up-- first a teacher, then a neurosurgeon, then a biologist, then a nurse... I just wanted my folks to be proud of me, but they never caught on. I dropped out of college, moved away and took a full-time job so I could get some perspective, and now I'm a week away from graduation. :))

I don't consider myself good mother material, but hopefully I'll be blessed with nieces and nephews. And if I am, I'll do for them what my folks never did for me: to always show my love and support for them, no matter how many times they s***w up, and no matter how lost they may be.

Answer 5

My parents wanted me to be a career woman, rich and successful. They expected me to work hard and never have to depend on anyone else for money, and spent most of my childhood trying to persuade me to be ambitious and driven. I know they meant well and wanted the best for me, but I've never wanted the same things. I work from home now, but as soon as I get married I plan to be a homemaker and SAHM.

For my own children... I want them to have a childhood without worrying about their future plans and pressures, I don't want them to grow up too fast, and I see them all having their own children in turn and being around to raise them. I like to think of them being quite traditional, but most of all I'd want them to have the confidence to live the way they feel is right for them, even if other people disapprove.  

Answer 6

All they wanted from me was to be something that I would be satisfied with and that would bring success in my life. I don't recall any of them actually going into specifics. I think the only person who actually wanted me to be something specific was my dad, he wanted me to go into business.

As for kids, I don't plan on having kids so I really can't give a satisfying answer to that question. But IF I do have children one day, likewise I would want them to be something that's going to equal a successful and rewarding life, not one where they are struggling to get by, living off paycheck to paycheck at some minimal wage job.

Answer 7

My family has never pressed me to do anything. They have never put constraints on me. They have let me make up my own mind and supported my decisions.  

Answer 8

My mother wanted me to be study musical theatre at a conservatory and move on to broadway acting. I did that for awhile-not broadway but studying at the conservatory- but then decided to go the more practical route and interestingly enough, along the lines of my fathers dream for me. He wanted me to be a doctor. While I won't exactly be working with people, I will be a doctor of animals.

I don't have children right now and honestly I just want them to be good, honest, hard working people. What careers they choose are secondary to that but I guess if I could pick a dream job for them, I'd like for them to make it on broadway.

Answer 9

Whatever I wanted.  Yes.

I'd like them to be honorable people and I'd like them to have lots of kids.  

Answer 10

My dad always wanted me to be in a doctor. I became a forensic investigator so I did in some way do what he wanted me to do. My twin brother became a doctor though.

My grandmother wanted me to be a hair stylist. I did go to school to be a hair stylist. For a while when I was18 I was doing the job while studying Forensics.

My friends get free hair styles from me though. They come to me and I do it for free,instead of going to a Solon and paying someone to do it.

To be honest I never wanted kids even though I love children. If I do have kids I want them to be successful.

Answer 11

My family never really seemed to have a specific plan for me- my mother was glad when I finally went on antidepressant medications and I think both of them were just glad I didn't kill myself.  Three months ago I dropped all antidepressant medications and am doing fine, but I don't think they like that and think I'm more protected with a medication that has nasty side effects.  They were also relieved when I did graduate high school and then I did manage to keep a part time job for 3 years and graduate college without ever becoming a drug addict or having a pregnancy.  They encouraged me to do what I wanted to do, but now I know that they meant go have a career and make your own money at a hard working job.  Because I've decided to be a homemaker (I want to and am happy that way), but they still talk about the future, always mentioning a time when I will "be working again."  They can't accept my decision to not bring home a paycheck and keep house instead.

Answer 12

My dad wanted me to be a lawyer. I am most definitely not doing that now lol.

For my children, honestly, I don't have any expectations for them. I hope that they find a job that they truly love but can make enough money at it to live a comfortable lifestyle.  

Answer 13

They wanted for me to be a chihuaha, but check out what happened.

Answer 14

My dad wanted me to be a lawyer, because according to him, I have a smart mouth (not necessarily in a good way), and my mom wanted me to be a nurse.  I just found out that this is what she was supposed to be, but  it didn't work out because she was too young to be admitted in that program... weird communist Romania.  Her dad decided for her, that she should do something else rather than wait a year.

I don't know that I want kids, Rio.  I mean there are so many who need help already... maybe I can adopt an older kid one day.  Or foster, as Blah suggested to me on the phone the other night.  I don't have the need to leave my mark in the world, not in that way, and not unless I meet a very, very special someone.  And chances of that happening are slim to none.  

If I did have them, I wouldn't really care what they do as long as they don't hurt themselves or someone else.  If one cannot realize that a child, is another person, independent of their parents, one should not reproduce in the first place.  The moment you admit you want your kids to be this or that you basically admit that you did a s**+tty job as a parent in my opinion.  You're supposed to teach them other things to survive in life, not live vicariously through them.  But what the h**l do I know, right?

Answer 15

What ever i wanted to be,Coming from a pretty typical working class family i don't think me Ma or Da ever really had any great expectations for me so they just told me do your best,and try your hardest to become whatever you want,and i am,I'm currently in College doing Media and Communication majoring in Sound Engineering

as far as what i want my children to be,i will teach them to be decent human beings and that's what i want them to be

Answer 16

My family just wanted us all to grow up to be be good people in all honesty. All though they did not approve of it when I joined the Army my Dad said woman didn't belong in the military especially not his daughters.(they later changed their minds) I want my daughter to be something she enjoys and is good at, she loves animals and writing, and thinks if she plays music for the whole world they will stop fighting. Also she wants to adopt Iraqi children so they don't have to see war. So I would love for her to be some sort of humanitarian.

My son is still to young to see what his likes and dislikes are.

Answer 17

I was lucky to have a family that let me decide what I wanted to do with my life. I was given good advice and moral guidence, but the choices were mine to make. I don't have children yet, but when I do I will try to guide them and steer them clear of trouble. Career choices are for them to make.  

Answer 18

My mother never had any set idea for me, at least none that she told me of. However, when I found an interest in something, such as being a doctor, she was sure to encourage the thought by buying books and a clear human body doll that had all the organs and such that could be viewed through the doll and removed to learn! As for now, I still love the human anatomy and all that goes with it, but hate how the medical industry works. Such as I prefer natural healing vs. pharmacuetical techniques, homebirthing vs. hospital birthing, and listening to your own body vs. believing doctor knows best! So now as a mother, I do love how much of a "doctor" I have become!!

As for my children, knowing their personalities (though still young at 4 and 2), I can see things they would be great at, that I could help them embrace, but never would I choose certain things I'd prefer them to be. For example, I can see my son being in either sports or a construction worker/ carpenter of sorts. Which would I prefer? Neither, I really would rather them be happy in their field than a slave to money, so if my son chooses construction over a sport draft, than so be it!  

Answer 19

Dad wanted me to be whatever I wanted me to be, Mom wanted me to be an office worker, Grandma wanted me to be a dental assistant or a hairdresser.

I ended up being a generalist, with experience in different industries. I like it that way.