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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

What jobs would you not want your kids to do?

255 replies

Pointlessfact · 25/02/2018 11:16

I saw someone say on the other thread jobs they wouldn't want their kids to do there are jobs they wouldn't want their kids to do so thought I would start a thread on it

For me - I wouldnt want my kids to become reality TV stars - especially big brother stars

OP posts:
TakeThatFuckingDressOffNow · 25/02/2018 15:09

Keep my baby off the pole!!!

TeaBelle · 25/02/2018 15:11

Why not social worker or big pharma?

SpringEquinox · 25/02/2018 15:13

All this ' oo, not an evil banker, oo, not the City' makes my eyes roll. How do you think pension funds pay out pensions to retirees ? It's not from the money that people contribute or from the money that the employer puts it, its from investments. One of my children is working in the City, in investment, works hard, is also studying for very difficult professional exams and is surrounded by lovely, kind hyper intelligent people. He worked for a charity after graduating and was seriously demotivated by the whinging, superior, 'we're so virtuous' mentality of his co-workers. Does actual hands on charitable work as a volunteer at weekends now, when not swotting.

Eilasor · 25/02/2018 15:28

Armed forces - My brother was killed in Afghanistan so feel I'm allowed to be a little more forceful with that one. My personal beliefs are generally against foreign intervention, especially but not necessarily when it leads to war and increased conflict. It's bloody dangerous for them and a lot of the people they encounter. Definitely been swayed by personal experiences though, I know that. I still wouldn't want my DC doing it.

Anything that bored them. I'd absolutely hate for them to have to do a job they didn't like or didn't excite them, or even worse for them to do as degree just because it lead to a 'well paid' job that ended with them being miserable. I want my children to be happy and fulfilled and I hope that DH and I will be in a financial situation to help our children can be (obviously you can be happy without a job you love - but it helps bitter experience).

cariadlet · 25/02/2018 15:35

Teacher (my job) - I'd have recommended it 20 years ago, but not now. I managed to put dd off when she was at primary school and showed an interest, but she's recently started talking about it again.

anything with a zero hour contract

anything where she was constantly bored (most jobs have dull moments or aspects, but I wouldn't want her to have something that left her unfulfilled every day).

anything that is understaffed and with ridiculous work loads (which cuts out a lot of careers like social work that I think she'd be really good at and which I'd have recommended in the past)

Shen0102 · 25/02/2018 15:44

I second..drug dealer or any illegal jobs.

Thingywhatsit · 25/02/2018 15:49

Eliasor- I'm sorry about your brother. Your brother gave the ultimate sacrifice for his country and you should be very proud of him.

My own brother was injured in Afghan and I have a teen ds who is adamant he will be joining the military in 3 years time. On one hand I am happy with his choice - as he has a clear direction as to what he wants to do with his life and I want him to be happy. On the other hand I have no idea how I would cope if he ever went on an op.

As to others careers for my kids - I don't really mind as long as they are happy in what they choose. Obviously as a parent I would love them to be financially successful but considering you spend most of your adult life in work - I want them to do something they love as it makes getting up on a Monday morning so much easier!

BusterGonad · 25/02/2018 15:53

I hold my hands up to being judgmental about bankers, I think it's to do with all the stuff about them on the news etc. it's a silly view to have but I just can't help it! Blush

demonchilde · 25/02/2018 15:59

Armed forces. I don’t want any of my DC’s killed in pointless, unecessary wars. W

swimster01 · 25/02/2018 16:03

Youtuber/gamer

CarefullyDrawnMap · 25/02/2018 16:03

Something in the mime artist/puppeteer/ventriloquist line. It could get irritating. Apologies to any around.

Julie8008 · 25/02/2018 16:05

Manual work and anything low paid.

corythatwas · 25/02/2018 16:06

Why not manual work, Julie? Some of it is quite well paid and very useful for society.

ivehadtonamechangeforthis · 25/02/2018 16:07

Julie why not manual work? what jobs are you referring to?

demonchilde · 25/02/2018 16:07

Oops .. posted too soon

Unfortunately my eldest DS (26) decided to join the forces as a helicopter engineer. Can’t say I’m delighted of his choice of career, but I am proud of him regardless. Gotta let them do their own thing.

Does make me laugh that I never let him play with toy guns, yet now I have to watch him on parade spinning a bloody great bayonet/ AK47 Smile

I’m hoping none of the rest do the same, but would never try and shop them either.

The police force however I’d hate them to join - far too many corrupt ones on a power trip IMHO.

ivehadtonamechangeforthis · 25/02/2018 16:08

and Julie is that based on experience or snobbery?

Zeelove · 25/02/2018 16:08

Army or retail

demonchilde · 25/02/2018 16:09

Yes - and you tubing etc - they all seem fascinated with that Blush.

I’d tell them to get a proper job!

MardalaRhyme · 25/02/2018 16:13

Teacher
Doctor
Nurse
Anything NHS related

Quite happy for them to go into banking, corporate law or other city type jobs. Would much prefer it than them going into education, the military or healthcare - basically professions that are essentially political footballs fucked over by each subsequent government. The only way to survive if you were in one of those professions is to work abroad, and I would rather have them a bit closer to home.

Roomba · 25/02/2018 16:20

DS1 wishes to pursue a career in the City - not my idea of fun but I actively encourage him at every step, why wouldn't I? Yes it's long hours, but so are many other jobs like care work, teaching, medicine , and they don't pay anywhere near as much money to compensate! I'd far rather my children were able to build up a decent pension, pay mortgages off and make investments when they were younger, then move into something with more time for family life than the other way round - because it's just not possible to suddenly decide to take up a City career and start saving when you are 45, let's be honest. These jobs are essential in a capitalist society, the rest of the system doesn't function without them.

Jobs I really would not want them to do - Armed forces (don't want them being killed/maimed/severely psychologically damaged by their job), Sex Work (again, see being killed/maimed/severely psychologically damaged), bailiff/debt collector, Teacher (experience!), Tory/UKIP/BNP politician.

madeyemoodysmum · 25/02/2018 16:23

Retail
Hotel or restaurant work. Unless a stop gap student type job

Photographer. I'm one and it's very very competitive now. I just can't get the money I used to get. Luckily end of career and husband is paid well!!!

TableShack · 25/02/2018 16:31

Teacher, social worker, nurse, police officer, retail, hairdresser - anything "low status"

Chrisinthemorning · 25/02/2018 16:38

Dentist or doctor or any healthcare. Too much stress
Teacher (as above)
Police/ army/fire or anything risky
Hoping he likes computers...

Julie8008 · 25/02/2018 16:39

Why not manual work, Julie? Some of it is quite well paid and very useful for society. Nothing against manual work in general but not for my children as they are highly educated and I wouldn't want them to waste that.

Graphista · 25/02/2018 16:42

Armed forces - but not just obvious reasons. Family on one side all military but it's not as well paid/supported as it was and the training isn't as good as it was.

Emergency/health services - dangerous, thankless, again poorly supported plus own and brothers bitter experience. Also yes prison service - again used to be an ok job but nightmare at mo according to a couple of dds friends parents who work in it.

Hopefullyanonymous - my brothers an officer he loves it but with recent changes to contracts and lack of resources and support he wouldn't recommend.

Tory MP - would never happen

Social worker - something dd seriously considered at one point but she was young and thought it would be playing "heroic rescuer" all the time. It's a damned if you do... Job in my eyes

Mainly though as long as she's happy and not struggling financially I'll be happy.

Strangely she has an amazing singing voice that only I and her bf and bf mum have heard that is going to waste - she's far too shy to be a performer.

A friend's daughter has gone into acting with her full support and blessing, she's starting to have some success too so maybe I'll have a tenuous claim to fame in the future. Other people asked her if she was worried for her dd with it being "unstable" etc but her dd is a grafter and quite happy to do behind the scenes stuff as well as temp jobs, waitressing etc to keep her going.

Sallyandherarmy far from being snowflakes they're judging based on the reality of those careers now! In the past those roles were respected and pay, conditions and resources reflected that - they don't any more. To the point that in certain roles it's making them far more risky than they need be.

Looking back some of my happiest jobs were nmw type roles, waitressing, retail and factory work. I stated on another thread factory jobs were my happiest. Actually wasn't that bad pay once bonuses included (i was fast and dexterous) and I had fun friendly colleagues and we were allowed to have radio on (upbeat music helped speed us up) so we'd sing along while we worked sometimes, blether and no high stress once we'd left for the day.

"I wouldn't be keen on ds being a bouncer either. Just because I imagine it would be fairly dangerous, regularly getting hurt breaking up scraps." Not necessarily - my cousin does this, now to be fair he's HUGE so most know better than to start anything but also the job mainly involves talking people down rather than physically dealing with them. Occasionally necessary but not as often or as bad as you might think.

Eilasor sorry for your loss

"Youtuber/gamer" the YouTube thing I get but game developers get really well paid if they're good and the companies are quite good to work for in terms of pay and conditions (yep another cousin - I have waaaay too big a family).