To tell my son he should do something that earns more than teaching

[NameChangeAgainAgainAgainAgain]

My son is good at everything. Parent's evening yesterday and all the teachers said he could easily get 9s at almost all his GCSEs but he's a bit lazy as he finds things quite easy.

He plays 2 instruments to grade 6+ standard. He learns fast. He's great at sciences, maths, computing.

He wants to be a PE teacher.

AIBU to tell him to think about doing something else? He could literally do anything and has chosen this. I am a bit disappointed I suppose, thought he might go Barrister/Actuary/Doctor or something.

There’s a long way to go yet if he hasn’t yet sat his GCSEs, he may well change his mind but if he doesn’t, teaching is an important profession and he could have a very good career.

Teachers are well paid. I don't see an issue with him wanting to do that.

So what you want is more important than what he wants?

So he's 16 (or younger)? I wouldn't worry OP. He's got a long time to change his mind!

Well it’s his life….

He's better doing something he's happy with isn't he

It’s very early days, and he is likely choosing a possible career path based on roles he can see and understand. Teaching is a good career but it would be as well, if he does want to be a PE teacher, to be qualified in other subjects too, as I think there are lots of people wanting to be PE teachers compared to eg science teachers. So a teacher who can do both would be more competitive. This may encourage him to continue with other options for a while.

Is it his life? Or yours? Will you be doing the day to day grind of whatever job he ends up in? Or will he?

I’m a literal genius. My IQ is around 170, because apparently my parents though it important to test that when I was in high school and push and push me to “do more.” I went into the arts, because that is what brought me joy and fulfilment. My relationship with them has forever been strained because I didn’t do what they thought I should, I’ve wasted my life, I could have been so much more. I’m not doing what they would have if they had the brain I have etc. But it’s my life. I’m the one living it. So I’m living it doing what I want to do and what makes me happy.

Leave your kid alone.

Seriously?

His life, his choice.

Our children have to make their own decisions. People who are forced into a particular career by parents aren't happy. I've seen it happen. If they ask for advice, point out the pros and cons, but ultilmately it's their choice, not ours.

As others have said, there's a long way to go before he has to commit!

You might, however, gently advise that there are far more PE teachers training than there are jobs available (it's been like this for a long time) and to make himself more employable, he should ensure he has an in-demand second subject - maths or science would have heads very interested, but quite a few other subjects would, also.

That might ensure he continues to focus on his other subjects and keep his options open.

A little insulting to teachers.

If he's as bright as you think he could make good money in the sector through progressing into leadership roles. That's what the more academic teachers I know have done (including a couple of Oxbridge graduates. All sorts of people go into teaching!).

Dad, is that you?

You need to realise your children are not your accessories.

If you're already looking at your child as a teen, deciding only certain high paying professional roles are acceptable to you and you'll be disappointed if he has different lower paid professional role then you need to get a grip I'm afraid.

He doesn't need to commit to anything just yet. There's a lot of issues in teaching at the moment so when he's older and considering his options he will want to go in with his eyes open and get some work experience.

YANBU. PE teaching jobs are competitive as PE is a less academic degree which most polys do and churn out PE teachers (flame me, go on). I’d advise against it.

There are plenty of better degrees, numerate ones, anything with a skill most employers want. Hardly any other employers other than schools would find use for a PE degree….

I find posts like this really offensive! I’m a teacher and have some amazing qualifications - as do many of my colleagues. Many of us could have done the things you suggest for your son. Good job we didn’t, eh?! Personally, I like the holidays. It was brilliant when I was younger - I travelled the world!

What is it you do, OP?

It's his life and a way off yet. But it is worth helping him get his head around what kind of salary will get him the life he wants to live.

My parents were always broke so having a well paid job was a definite part of my choice of career.

It’s early days and he might change his mind as he carries on throughout school.
He clearly tries hard and studies, just continue to support him and encourage his enthusiasm for learning.Don’t be negative about whatever he wants to do as that’s demoralising. Its his life!

Also as a teacher myself, I find your post quite insulting. I may not have the most well paid job but I have job satisfaction and can spend some fantastic quality time with my children during holidays which makes it even better.

Happiness in life is not all about money.

FYI - my DB has a PE degree. Spent 10 years working in a gym. Is now a chartered accountant. It isn’t a life commitment!

I had much the same conversation with my daughter who’s training to be a paramedic. She’ll earn peanuts, work like a dog and be treated like shit by the NHS for her efforts but it’s what she wants to do

I’m not sure why anyone would encourage their children to become a teacher or nurse today. Their working conditions seem bloody awful! I guess we have to be thankful though that children do still want to do these roles as we’d be pretty fucked if they didn’t!

They really, really aren't. One of the reasons there is a teacher recruitment and retention crisis in the UK is because teachers are so undervalued and underpaid.

He could always teach other subjects as well. My favourite teacher at primary school taught me maths, history and PE.