To wonder if there are any careers you discourage your kids from doing?

[malificent7]

Dd told my dad and i that she wanted to work in Harrods when she grows up... she is 8!
My dad told her she shouldnt work in a shop. She also wants to be a model, pop star, vet... the usual.
My parents basically wanted us to be doctors and duscouraged anytjing else.
I rebelled and did teaching am now a TA.

Aibu to ask how much you want to influence your kids career decisions.

Also aibu to think there is nowt wrong with working in Harrods!

[Whatsername17]

I'm a teacher. I love my job. Id never discourage dd from any career although the armed forces terrifies me. At 5, she wants to be the tooth fairy, which is also fine by me.

[awayinamazda]

I still feel that it's one thing to feel there are disadvantages to some careers, and talk them thru if your 16 year old is pursuing those single mindedly (whilst remembering that they are I divide, and entitled to make their own choice..). It's quite another to tell 7-8 year olds that they shouldn't dream of working in a shop they like, or being like a teacher they like at school!

It seems very sad that most would push such young children in very specific direction, to suit their own view of what 'success' looks like :-/

[awayinamazda]

'they are individuals', I meant to say

[Ginslinger]

both DH and I tried to talk DS2 out of medicine because it's just not the job that it was - we failed and he seems happy for the moment although I don't know what things will be like when he finishes his training

[rollonthesummer]

Are those discouraging their children from teaching teachers themselves?

Yes.

[Orientalrose]

We discourage anything military. We live in an area with a lot of army influence. training goes on in fields near our village etc. I respect them so much but the fear of my sons going to war means I discourage. We even put them in a school out of area to avoid local primary as it covered the army village and we knew ( rightly so) that it is very pro military and glamorizes it a bit.
It's a difficult balance here.

[Hidingtonothing]

Sad to see how many posters are saying teaching although, having seen my DM pushed to the limit (and early retirement) by the pressures of our education system, I fully understand why and wouldn't want my DC to go that route either. Also agree with those saying the military or police because aside from the danger element they also dont seem to be respected the way they should be which must be pretty soul destroying when you're trying to serve your country. DD (8) currently wants to be a youtuber which I struggle to see as a 'proper' career but the likes of Stampy and Dantdm seem to be doing rather nicely out of so maybe I just need to move with the times!

[BarbarianMum]

Armed forces - for their safety. For the safety of others: Arms dealer. Person who designs/builds/sells/promotes weaponry. Prostitute. Pimp. Far right politician. Concentration camp guard. Terrorist.

Beyond those it's up to them.

[BarbarianMum]

Oh and prostitute is in the wrong group. That would be for their safety.

[unlessyousay]

Well, most of the above are not really careers, Barbarian!

[lovelearning]

I wouldn't want them to do anything that would bring them fame...

mmgirish, oracle.

[aquashiv]

No to the army.

[Livnatmum]

DS has wanted to act since he was about 10. I have suggested many other careers but he wouldn't budge. He is now in his third year of Drama School and faces a very uncertain future! I no longer say anything as quite honestly Drama School is so difficult to get in to and once he'd done it, I felt he needed to get on with it. He is fully aware of the career prospects but it's all he wants to do!

[OhTheRoses]

No. We were worried when DD wanted to be an actress but she changed her mind aged 17 on her own. Likewise when ds wanted to be a war correspondent.

DS now wants to be a lawyer and his father is less sure. DD wants to be an academic.

[missyB1]

Nursing (that was me for 25 years, it's a terrible job now).

Medicine- husband is a hospital Consultant. stupid hours , horrendous stress, pay not great considering the responsibility. Totally unappreciated by management and the Government.

Teaching- see above.
Police - see above
So basically any public sector job!

[Kennington]

Marketing.
Drives me bonkers
And management consultancy
And anything involving wishy washy opinions as opposed to fact.

[FaFoutis]

Is there much left?

[heymammy]

I'd be gutted if any of my dc joined The Forces so, yes, I would actively discourage it. I'd also try my best to put them off going into Medicine.

[scaryteacher]

Ds has thought about teaching, but I have discouraged him, as he doesn't suffer fools gladly, and would find teenagers difficult to deal with. In about 9 years, when he is 30 perhaps, but not yet.

I have no issues with him joining HM Forces (preferably the RN), as that's our family tradition on both sides, or the Police for that matter. I want him to find a job that he is happy in and engaged with.

[hels71]

Teaching. Although DD (9) says she wants to either be a choreographer or a costume designer for theatre. Both of which are fine by me, although the head teacher of her previous school on hearing this laughed and said "Theatre is for hobbies, you should aim to be a doctor instead"..

[BarbarianMum]

They are all ways to make your living unless. Ones I'd rather that they didn't choose.

[littlejeopardy]

I just asked DH this question and his answer was 'sex industry '.

[heymammy]

I will be actively encouraging any sort of trade or apprenticeship, the Arts or anything STEM based. Of course in real life they can, genuinely, do what they want.

[Lostmyemailaddress]

I've always told my dc as long as they work towards their goals and it's legal I'll support them in whatever they choose.

Ds1 is 13 and wants to be a chef and travel to Japan as he loves the culture. He has already started saving his pocket money and asking if there's any jobs I'd like him to do. He also makes 1 family meal a week for me and all 6 dcs.

Ds2 is 12 and wants to be a teacher who works in a school like his. He goes to a special needs school and thinks he would like to teach it or maths.

Dd1 is 8 and wants to be a dancer or a pe teacher. She's started to do after school clubs this year. She has suspected special needs and it's the first goal she has ever set.

Ds3 is 6 and wants to be a police man this will probably change as a couple of years ago he wanted to be iron man as well as a fireman.

Dd2 is 3 and wants to be a mummy dog. Not sure if that is legal so may have words in a couple of years time if this is still her goal lol.

[Solasum]

DS (2) wants to be 'a doctor and a dentist', inspired by Playdoh drill and fill I think. I would be absolutely delighted if he decided to do either of these later on. Stress aside, having opted out of doing a 'useful' job myself, I would be very proud if he decided to do anything that would actually help others.