A suitable vocation

I'd like to think I'm a pretty open-minded parent. I obviously want my children to achieve their dreams but I don't mind what that dream looks like.

I know that the career-decisions of a 5 year old will change by the time they're adults. I wanted to be a Nun. Then I nurtured dreams of becoming a journalist and even went through a very short stage where I considered becoming a Biomedical Scientist.


Still, it'd be nice if Lily showed some ambition. She's already expressed a desire to become a pirate, and stab people with her 'ouchy sword' and has been through a long period of time of saying that when she's grown up she's going to be a 'fairy princess'.

Whatever she says my response stays the same:

I smile and nod. I tell her that's a fantastic idea, that she can do anything she sets her heart on and that if she wants to do that she needs to work hard, be a good girl, look after her body and be kind to others.

You know, all the usual Mummy stuff. If it makes her happy, if it makes other's happy then go for it.

I was flummoxed this weekend however. Whilst watching 'Inside Chernobyl's Mega Tomb' I decided it would be great to encourage Lily to perhaps one day consider a career in engineering.

Her response?

"No Mummy! I'm going to be an ice cream lady!"

Ah. OK.

I'll admit, at first I lamented her lack of ambition as a child of the future. Then I realised, even in the future they'll want ice cream right?

If not, I'll eat it - purely to support and encourage my child. Not because I love ice cream. Obviously.