As a parent, would you rather have your child follow his talent &/or passion, ha

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   gmwilliamsposted 7 years ago

   As a parent, would you rather have your child follow his talent &/or passion, having
   
   a career based upon that component although such a career doesn't pay very well or would you demand that h/she forego his/her talent &/or passion, telling him/her to have a career that pays exceedingly well even though such a career is in an area that h/she isn't interested in or even hates?
   
   

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   threekeysposted 7 years ago

   It depends. When you first start out in life you believe anything is possible. You dont know what opportunities are out there or what opportunities are going to make it to your front door. You are an adventurer and a risk taker so you follow the path of what you think will deliver your hidden talents or skills. But as life unfolds it just doesnt deliver any talent/ skill or a talent/skill that is commercially viable. You keep doing  jobs that you hate and that dont make sense or have meaning. You practice optimistic patience and seeing what you can learn in every setback thinking its all going to turn around but it just doesnt. And its all too late.
   
   If we take this "what if" scenario, and top it up with hindsight,  I would suggest this approach. You need to follow what everyone has been taught to value at your time in history. If the currency is salt then choose the job that provides a lot of salt  (money). You will  to sell out a little (not completely) and to err on the conservative side. Build up your resources so that you are comfortably set up and then do what you love as a hobby.
   This is contradictory but you will have to similtaneously listen to the beliefs (and falsities) you are being told by your elders .In a sense you have to go along to get along. Then? Later on you MAY (may not) then have the opportunity to do something you enjoy. 
   Personally, the New Age movement fed so many falsities, so may false hopes  and stuffs up your life. But hope is contagious and needed.

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   Alphadogg16posted 7 years ago

   In this day and age, money is King. So I would most definitely tell my child (already have actually) to chase the money first, and when they are set financially, they can chase their passion. Its never to late to chase a dream.

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      alekhouseposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      I agree with Kevin. I became a teacher for economic reasons, not that I made a lot of money but my income was steady. After 65 years old, I started writing (my passion) and recently published my first book. Am now working on the second one.

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   savvydatingposted 7 years ago

   
   
   It is important that we play to our strengths. Forcing a square peg into a round hole is a good way to be miserable for a lifetime.
   
   For example, my son loved dance since he was a kid. His father introduced him to this medium because he also loved to dance. Long story short, my son went to New York on a tiny budget, found a place to live (with lots of roommates), was accepted into Alvin Ailey school of Dance through a scholarship, and later became a professional ballet dancer.
   
   Once he reached age 30 or so, he got a degree in Business and is now a success in his new field in the mortgage business. But he HAD to dance first! Otherwise, he would have been miserable. The point is that if you have true talent, you need to follow that road. Then you follow the road after that.

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      fpherj48posted 7 years agoin reply to this

      How exciting that ur son became a professional dancer! How proud U must be, Yves! I always held the dream at least 1 of my 4 sons would land on "Stage" (singing, dancing,artsy entertainer) Alas, they're all successful & happy but no stage 4 Mama!

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      savvydatingposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Paula....I wish I had 4 sons! That would be totally awesome! But yes, I am as proud as can be. That kid of mine is something else, in a good way. Lol.

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      fpherj48posted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Well, " In a good way"....we know that "The apple does not fall far from the tree."  With a mother like you, your son had no choice but to succeed.

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      savvydatingposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you, Paula. You are very kind. Just like you, I loved being a mom. It's the greatest achievement of my life. I know you feel the same way. Interestingly, he wasn't planned, yet his presence has been my greatest blessing.

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