I’ve Been Lying . . .
It has been brought to my attention (somewhat painfully) that I have been lying to myself and to my children for some time. This realization came after some very honest and open conversations with my middle child. (Conversations I might add that happened very unexpectedly when I needed to give him a ride to an activity that I hadn’t planned on. With your kids you just never know when it’s going to be an important moment!)
The lie that I have told myself, and my children is that it doesn’t matter what they decide to do in life. The three criteria I have said mattered were:
1. Love what you do, be fulfilled in it – you should want to go to work every day.
2. Make enough money to provide for yourself (and your family).
3. Be honest and have integrity in what you do.
However, I now know that’s not true. I do hold some careers above others and I have, without meaning to, let my kids know that. It hurt deeply when my son told me he didn’t want to choose something (he’s thinking video game tester) that would embarrass me.
I am grateful that we can have open and honest dialogue, but boy sometimes it hurts. I still believe in those three criteria, but I’ve got to work on my own expectations. Growing, it never quits.
Then glad you had that moment. (And I think video game tester would be awesome!)
I love it, "Growing, it never quits." Beautiful and true! If you really hadn't been tuned into your son, you wouldn't have acknowledged that you too are "in process" and that is awesome, Sheila! Way to rock being a mom!!! xo!
Video game tester would be the coolest. You never know where that might lead him. But your realization after that conversation, was great.
Hold true to that criteria. It's sound and valuable (even for a video-game tester-how cool would that be?).
For the first in my life, I have a job where I enjoy waking up in the morning every day.
Or…maybe it's because I'm at the elderly end of middle-age and I'm just happy to wake up, period.
Oh I know what you mean. Growing up I thought I wanted to be a nurse. In college I quickly found out that that was my Mom's dream, not mine. I felt sort of like a failure because I just felt lost after that. What a great relationship you have with your son! Talking with my daughter lately is like pulling teeth! UGH!
Blessings, Joanne
Video game tester was one of the things my son always said he wanted to do. It's great that you and your son had that conversation.
nice post thanks for sharing…cute blog blessings
Yeh – aren't kids just great! Sometimes they just pull us back into reality… Nice post!