What would you want your child to be?

Philippines
October 2, 2008 3:16am CST
As mothers, we all want what's best for our child. We visualize them to be successful, we envision them doing the profession we think would be best for them. However, what if your child wouldn't want to be what you want them to be? Would you push your way until they give in to what you want or would you let them be what they want to be and support them even if you think they would not be as successful as you want them to be?
3 people like this
16 responses
• Canada
2 Oct 08
I want my children to be whatever it is that will make them happy. There's no point in pushing them to become what I want them to become, it's going to be their life and their career and if they don't enjoy it then they aren't going to be happy. I will support them in whatever decision they chose.
2 people like this
• China
2 Oct 08
my willing is simple. i want my child to be responsible for his parents, responsible for his family, his child, his wife. i wish he has the ability to support a good and sweet family.
2 people like this
@shell94 (990)
• Canada
2 Oct 08
I have always wanted my child to be a caring and responsible individual. As long as they try their hardest at whatever they do I will be happy for them. I do also wish them to respect other people as that is how they will be respected by others as well. My daughter is the love of my life even when she is a moody teen ...
• Canada
2 Oct 08
I just want my children to be happy and successful in whatever they decide to do. Being a young mother I remember my dreams for myself and changing them all the time andrealizing how much harder somethings are than others and how life seems to get in the way of some dreams. I will support both my girls in whatever they pursue. I know they will change there minds several times over the years but they must try things first. thats why I love the girl guides. They get them out there trying new things so they can develop there true potential.
• Philippines
2 Oct 08
i agree with you. i think all of us, including us adults, change our minds and what we want out of life. it is best that we support our children and love them whatever they want to be.
1 person likes this
@bamakelly (5191)
• United States
2 Oct 08
A boy in a fireman hat. -  A picture of a little boy in a fireman's hat.
My son is pretty young right now and not ready to take on the world as of yet but this has been a thought for me as a mother as to his upbringing. I would really like my son to be happy and that is all that really matters to me. I will be supportive of him if he has a certain aim or goal and if he comes to me for help of course I will be there. He is only five but he mentions that he wishes to become a firefighter one day.
@bamakelly (5191)
• United States
3 Oct 08
I am happy that you liked my photo of the boy in fireman's hat. Have a good day.
• United States
3 Oct 08
I have told my daughter that she can be whatever she wants- as long as it makes her happy. I'm never going to push her to become a doctor, a surgeon, a lawyer, or an astronaut. If it makes her comfortable and happy, who am I to tell her "no?" The only thing I will push her to be is a responsible adult. I want her to be the kind of person that will be responsible towards her own children and family one day. I want her to be the best she can be.
• Philippines
4 Oct 08
thank you all for the response. we all agree on one thing, we want our children to be happy and responsible and we are all supportive parents. i'm happy to know that there are a lot of mothers like us..
• Saint Lucia
7 Oct 08
Definately help my childrena nd support them in anything that they want to be as long as it's not illegal. You push them to be what you want and both of you end up being miserable.
@tessah (6617)
• United States
3 Oct 08
i was pushed,.. or rather quite literally FORBIDDEN to be anything at all other than what my parents dictated i be. big mistake. the only thing you succeed in doing by trying to force yer children to live out YOUR dreams.. is making them miserable. with my own. ive never even fantasized about what they will be.. what they will choose. i let them guide me as to what i will encourage and nurture i them.. because real "SUCCESS" is doing what you love and supporting yerself with it. and the only goal i have for my babies.. is that they are HAPPY.
@quinnkl (1667)
• United States
3 Oct 08
Happy. That is all I want. For him to find a job doing something he actually likes to do would be wonderful. He talks about the things that interest him and what he is thinking of doing and I support him all the way!
@bellis716 (4799)
• United States
4 Oct 08
My wishes for my children are that they be honest, hard working, dependable, loyal to spouse and children, God fearing, and a good citizen of our country.
@avrooi (22)
• Namibia
3 Oct 08
I would like my child to decide on a career that will make them happy in the end. If I'm going to force him/her to do what I want, then he/she will only resent me later.
@censae (72)
• United States
3 Oct 08
I want my children to be what I consider the ultimate success. They are adults now and I do not feel that they are finished developing as human beings. When they were small I was able to recognize certain talents and interests. I tried whenever possible to support them by providing opportunities for them to explore and participate in some of them. Success to me relative to my children and anyone else is the same. Believe in God and live according to his truth. Care about yourself and others. Above all be persons of integrity. Everything else will come and assuredly have more meaning and value.
• Canada
4 Oct 08
If we teach our children by example, I believe they will choose a profession that will make us proud of them no matter what it is. If we try to force them into doing what we want, will they be happy and do well, or just plod along and always do what others want even if they do not enjoy it, do not work to their fullest potential. I believe that if they end up doing something they are not happy with, not fullfilling to them, they will not be happy nor do well, so if they have an interest in something, encourage it, support it and you may be pleasantly surprised.
• United States
3 Oct 08
I beleive that a child has a right to choose their own direction in life. All we can do as parents is teach them the difference from right and wrong and provide them with the tools neccessary to succeed in life. Ultimately it is their decision not ours. If they want to be a doctor instead of a lawyer then let them. It might make them happier. And all in all life is way to short to be unhappy. Pluse we live about 60% of our lives at work, it might as well be something they want to do and will enjoy getting up in the mornig and going to work.
@AbbeyB (670)
• Spain
3 Oct 08
I would want them to be whatever made them happy I would never force them into a job, I would encourage them to do well in whatever they set their minds to.
@Shar1979 (2722)
• United States
2 Oct 08
my husband and i have talked about that already. we are going to let our daughter decide whatever she wants to pursue in her life. we'll just be there for her to give support and guidance but we won't push her to do something she doesnt want to. it won't make her happy