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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to have jobs that I don't want my DSs to do?

81 replies

noonki · 17/07/2008 20:44

My friends and I have an ongoing list of jobs we would prefer our kids not to do....for example being in the army (might get hurt, nothing against armed forces, full respect to those that do) data entry cleric (might die of boredom) etc...

Now, I will completely support them should they choose to do any of these and would never tell them what is on the prefer not to do list but just hope they don't...

do you have any secret professions that you don't want your kids to do?

or on a positive note ones that you would?

OP posts:
MsDemeanor · 17/07/2008 22:40

Missionary, soldier, prostitute, 'glamour' model, televangelist, torturer, a few things I dare not say for risk of offending people and anything they themselves found unsatisfying or soul destroyingly unethical or dull.

OrmIrian · 18/07/2008 08:18

I must admit I'd struggle with any of mine becoming vicars etc. DH wouldn't just struggle, he'd combust

But as DS#1 got a 4 for RE in his report (all the others were 2) I think we are quite safe.

Ags · 18/07/2008 08:40

I think it is truly disgusting to impose your wants and desires on your children.

I have no problem whatsoever allowing my dc to have careers in any of these wide ranging fields :-

professional golfer
top ten singer/band member
formula 1 driver
oil baron
head of major corporation
global superstar
prime minister

And, not necessarily in that order, honestly they can choose!

DontlookatmeImshy · 18/07/2008 08:42

Like most people I Wouldn't want ds's to be a sex-worker or join the army.

Ds1 could join Noonki's ds doing jigsaws, although at the moment he is fascinated with the dustbin/recycling lorry and apparently wants to be a bin-man. He's only 2.9 though so time to change his mind yet.

herbietea · 18/07/2008 08:50

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themildmanneredjanitor · 18/07/2008 09:00

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Blandmum · 18/07/2008 09:02

I want mine to be happy, healthy and honest.

I'd also kinda like them to he helpful too. And I'd have real problems with a pointless job like pole dancing....I mean how much help to men actually need to wank?

themildmanneredjanitor · 18/07/2008 09:03

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Blandmum · 18/07/2008 09:03

MMJ, it is amazing how you learn to cope with the fear and put it into contect. Dh did Gulf war 1 as a tornado pilot and i just told myself that he was 'safe' as he flew the F3 varient, and all the really dangerous stuff was done by the GR1 pilots.

human mind is an amazing thing

themildmanneredjanitor · 18/07/2008 09:08

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Oblomov · 18/07/2008 09:10

I love data entry.
It is the most favoured part of my job.
I find it very satisfying.
But then I would lick stamps/flip burgers if you paid me enough.

Oblomov · 18/07/2008 09:28

For Ds, long list ofthings I don't want him to do.
The obvious. No policeman,soldier, anything remotely dangerous.

kerryk · 18/07/2008 09:53

i am so at the ammount of people who have listed the army alongside prostitutes and sex workers.

my dh earns a really good wage (much more than he would anywhere else as he left school with hardly anything) his wage increases everyyear, he has great job security, a excellent pension and most of all he is happy as are all the other people i know who work along side him.

fair enough he has a higher rist of being killed at work they what a office worker has but i think that spending your life doing something you love which carries risk is going to much more worthwhile than spending 45 years in a safe job that you can stand.

anyway after that my list that i dont want dd's to do is

shop worker
cleaner
bank clerk
mp
bus driver.

noonki · 18/07/2008 10:02

MMJ - I have total respect for all in the armed forces - my DSes grandad was in a submariner for 35 years and his Nanna was a wren

but I would worry deeply for them and couldn't handle it - and also they are then expected to fight for the whim of the government... and not always in the best interest of our country or the one they are fighting in...

OP posts:
wilbur · 18/07/2008 10:03

Ah you see, I am very keen that all of my kids do a great deal of work along the lines of cleaner, shop assistant, shelf stacker (but not lap dance or stripper) data entry, McJobs, I think that kind of work is a brilliant way to learn about the world, to adapt to situations and to work bloody hard - plus it can b v rewarding. I used to clean houses and it was quite zen and satisfying. Certainly I would prefer that those jobs are ones they do to get themselves started in the world of work, or to see themselves through 6th form or Uni. If they are still doing them at 40 I may sigh a bit.

Currently, my happy daydreams of careers for them all are spectacularly poncy: ds1 - architect, dd - opera singer, ds2 - actor, but tbh I'm quite excited about what they come with on their own. Dd wants to be a rock band playing the tigar (sic) and live next door to me with her babies. I can't think of anything nicer .

thelittlestbadger · 18/07/2008 10:05

I would be a bit disappointed if Dd wanted to be a slebrity or WAG. I would also not be very impressed with lapdancer or sex worker.

OverMyDeadBody · 18/07/2008 10:08

a lowly shop worker on minimum wage

anything to do with the sex industry

anything religious

mumblechum · 18/07/2008 10:11

NoNOs:
Deep sea diver/Armed Forces/Double glazing salesman

Yes:
Airline pilot/high up in blue chip co/barrister

He wants to do something which brings in a very good salary, doesn't seem particularly bothered what exactly

Oblomov · 18/07/2008 10:19

I do NOT want ds in a high paid stressful job where he never sees his wife and children.

mumblechum · 18/07/2008 11:01

That's interesting, Oblomov, what sort of thing do you think would be good?

(dh is "high up in blue chip co." and is home every night by six and never works weekends, so sees plenty of his family)

HonoriaGlossop · 18/07/2008 11:04

wouldn't want ds to be an accountant.
Anything but that.

Holly29 · 18/07/2008 11:08

I don't think there is anything wrong with having secret things you don't want your kids to do - I told my DH we were allowed one prohibition each. Mine is the armed forces and his is X factor! We have started brainwashing our DS young (much boo-ing goes on during X factor and anything involving the armed forces on television...).!

Oblomov · 18/07/2008 11:11

Mumblechum, do you think your dh is the exception ?
I only don't want ds working 60 hrs a week, in a very stressful job. And only seeing his children at weekends.
We are lucky. Dh is an Ops manager. Good money. Not brill. But we are fine. He is home at 5.10pm.
I guess that is why I want this for ds.
It upsets me when I see Mn mums and dads at work all the hours god sends. I am sure it is fine for them. But I am glad/grateful that it is not us.

Sidge · 18/07/2008 11:46

Those of you who are anti their children joining the Forces do realise that not all roles are combatant don't you?

I was in the Royal Navy for 7 years and never left the south coast of England

fircone · 18/07/2008 11:52

I've told ds he can be anything except a doctor: I'm not flippin' paying for 7 years' worth of training.