...to ask if you'd be happy if your kids chose the same career as you?

[LorelaiVictoriaGilmore]

And if so, what do you do? I've been thinking about this since a conversation between friends who are lawyers, doctors and teachers. My friends all said that they wouldn't want their kids to do the same career they do... all said they felt some combination of over-worked, underpaid, under appreciated, clobbered by office politics, in an environment unfriendly to women or families etc. And that got me thinking about my parents who didn't want me to do similar jobs to them either - both worked in government jobs and thought the private sector was better.

So who does think that their job is good enough for their kids? Anyone?!

@MeadowHay That's partly why I started this thread... as a lawyer, I always thought that being a doctor would be so much better... but then I talked to some doctor friends and realised that they thought that being a lawyer would be better.

I guess I'm not surprised that a lot of teachers and nurses wouldn't recommend their careers to their kids as they are really under rewarded for hard jobs. Ditto police.

Yes. I am a teacher. I think it is an important and hugely rewarding profession. I would howevet counsel careful selection of school and role.

Research Scientist, not teaching, work at a university.

I'd be chuffed to bits if any of them chose my career, and even went to higher levels, such as lecturing or management.

DD plans on medicine. Maybe she's conventional & will hate it like so many on here or maybe she'll love it (I know doctors who love it). Time will tell.

Yes,I’ll tell them it’s hard going but satisfying
Depends if they’re robust enough for the emotional & academic demands

No because despite needing qualifications the pay is rubbish even with lots of experience, extra qualifications, extra responsibilities within the role etc.

Well my proper career was very interesting (analyst) but I don't think either child will be remotely interested in that. I'm now a school administrator and it's not a career.

Sorry, missed the first sentence out! I'm a nursery nurse.

Nope, my DD is currently under the delusion that she wants to be a teacher over my dead body so once her exams are finished she's coming to work with me to see what we're dealing with on a daily basis.

Hmm...I was a criminal lawyer before becoming a SAHM. The way legal aid is going there won't be any of us for DS to aspire to!

I would support my child in any career he wanted to follow. I am a vet - mainly large animal at the moment. Every job has its pros and cons,and veterinary medicine does come with lots of false perceptions . It’s tough- at times hard, physical, wet, cold back breaking work , on call is tough- power naps in the van in the wee small hours between calls in the throws of the spring rush - juggling it with family life is very very hard. Graduates come out now with huge debt, it can be stressful and all consuming but many jobs are. But there are many days when I do genuinely believe I have the best job in the world- so yes I would support my child if he wanted to go down the same road. ( at the minute though I think it’s unlikely as the smell of cow s**t makes him gag- but he is only 2).

Teacher-I would hate for any of mine to follow in my footsteps. I wish so very much I had done something else.

I'm new to using mumsnet as in posting, although I really enjoy reading others thoughts on issues. Hope I'm not late commenting here?
My two children Thank God will not follow me into having a job not a career.
This is where I struggle parenting, i have no answer to why Law firms might not chose a bright meticulously studious person, with feedback.. wasn't enthusiastic enough. Law is her dream, where she knows if given a break she would flourish & grow in confidence. Always been a little considered or reserved, which is I believe an asset, maybe they see it differently.
Really don't know what they want, maybe interview coaching might help in how she comes across, any thoughts? Week later rang with bad news, my heart sank for her she w