What would you like to be when you grow up?

I give a lot of parenting seminars all over the country.

I would start the session by saying that I make no claims of being an expert when it comes to the topic of parenting. And neither should the audience believe anyone who claims to be because parenting is a lifetime learning process.

The only claim I have is that my kids are all grown up. “Been there, Done that?” Not really but I certainly carry with me a wealth of experience on the subject matter.

Just think about this. How many among us parents have ever asked our kids at least once in their lifetime this question: “What would you like to be when you grow up?”

One enterprising father decided to do things differently. He prepared a table and put four items on top of the table. He told his wife: “Sweetheart, I have a way of knowing what our five year old son will be when he grows up.”

Excitedly he placed the four items on top of the table. His theory was that the item that the son picks up will indicate the career or profession he would enter. And so he placed a Bible, beside the Bible is a pile of cash, beside the cash is a bottle of whiskey and beside the bottle of whiskey is an unloaded gun. His hypothesis? Quiet simple actually, if the boy picks up the Bible then he would become a minister of the gospel one day. If he picks up the pile of cash then he would become a businessman. If he picks up the bottle of whiskey then he would become an alcoholic and if he picks up the gun he would either be a policeman or a goon. And so the parents hid themselves and watched the process.

The boy entered the room. He surveyed all four items. He stood in front of the Bible foe two solid minutes. The parents were delighted. And then the boy picked up the bible, he also picked up the pile of cash. Then he picked up the bottle of whiskey and finally he picked up the gun.

The father was so disappointed. He looked at his wife and said, “My goodness our son will become a politician!”

Most people find this story funny. Others hate it. (I wonder why.)

But the key to the story is that there are many children who graduate high school without knowing that course they will take in college. And worst, there are many college graduates who take up courses that are not meant for them. I have always pointed out to the educators in our country that conducting career orientation programs for high school students in their fourth year of study is an exercise in futility.

Parents need to help their children develop their career, college and course orientation by first being equipped and educated themselves.

What are their personality types?

What are their natural born talents and giftedness?

What are their strength zones?

What are their areas of weaknesses?

Parents need to understand that there are many jobs that are no longer around these days yet there are many more new high value jobs that are available for those who are skilled and properly trained. Most students will say that they want to do jobs in areas that interest them, but are not be able to articulate what those interests are. And obviously, they do not know the actual work entailed in a particular job, even in those career areas where they claim they would like to work.

And worst, parents may be forcing their children to take up courses or career that are not aligned with their personalities and talents.

We need to understand that our talents and giftedness are provided by God our Creator but our skills are acquired through training and education but in all these, our character should be built on values so that we can Do things successfully and BE better person in the process.

Read books. Listen to tapes. Consult the experts.

Our kid’s learning depends on the learnedness we as parents should first have. Make sure that learning is a cultural trait in your own homes.

The Bible says: “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”

The best way to keep children home is to make the home a pleasant atmosphere—and let the air out of the tires of their cars.

(Attend The 21st Career Counseling Exhibit of Sept 17th & 18th at the SMX, Mall of Asia Complex. This is aimed at showing high school students (14 and above) courses available and the careers that they lead into at local colleges and universities here in the Philippines, and at a range of international colleges from Australia, NZ, Canada, USA, UK and Singapore. More than 10,000 high school students will be attending and 50 colleges exhibiting.

Parents and teachers will also be attending a “Career Counseling 101” seminar/workshop, delivered by Mr. Roger Bartholomew and Dr. Joyce Dy to help them to counsel and advise their own children/students on how to choose college courses and career paths.

For inquiries call International Education Specialist 819-1001 or send them an email at [email protected].)