Raise your hand if you’ve ever been asked “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Now if you had to guess, how old would you say you were when you were asked this question? Three? Four? Five? Sometimes I would like to think that we ask kids what they want to be when they grow up because as adults we are still trying to figure that out of ourselves…
I’m someone who’s had lots of different answers to the question “What do you want to be when you grow up?”. When I was little I dreamt of being a sleuth , a writer, a princess, a mommy or, a combination of all of them. I didn’t want to be a detective I wanted to solve mysteries, like “Nancy Drew” in my eight year old brain there was a HUGE difference… I wanted to work off the grid and not with the “system” or so I had imagined.
When I was in high school I spent an awful summer working as a Chambermaid gaining a healthy respect for that side of the service industry. I went to college taking Early Childhood Education and after graduation I worked in several Daycare settings before opening up a Private Day home in 2004 which is what I have been doing ever since. Now, I’m looking for a change. Apparently wanting to change careers numerous times isn’t that uncommon with my generation… I wonder, would anyone expect the charming house wife was a sleuth ready to crack the heist of the century?
Listen as three of my four kids weigh in on “What do you want to be when you grow up”
And because printables are super cute and a great way to record what their answers were ..
Click here for a cute printable to do with your little ones:
( Printable courtesy of our friends over at The Ladders)
Why does, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” always seem to mean, “What job or career do you want to have when you grow up?” maybe it’s not about the job? How about, I want to be a well adjusted, responsible, emotionally mature adult who builds strong relationships, is reliable and trustworthy and an overall positive individual that people like to be around? Maybe, I’d like to be an intellectual, reasonable, common-sense kind of chick? The point is there are a lot of things worth being “When you grow up” that don’t have anything to do with your job status.
It is interesting to ask our children this question and see how their answers develop over the course of time.
Such a great topic. I am still figuring me out and thank goodness it took me til my mid 30s or so to do so – kids these days have so many choices to make.
When I was young I wanted to travel the world and be a writer. I still want to be that and I’m working towards it.
I have never really thought about this question to ask my son and he is seven. I wonder what his answer would be!
How adorable!! We record the kids every year, and then show them the next year! They sometimes cant believe thats what they sounded like or how they felt at that time! Its great!
I heard that question when I was 3 .. I remember it so well and I said “Doctor ” .. I did all the subjects in High school got great grades .. but last year of H.S i realized I hated walking around with heavy Bio Books and studying extra hard all the time to get competitive grades. I switched to the Arts and I’m so happy
It’s so funny that as parents we tend to ask kids this question. At what age do we really even have any idea of what our strengths are? lol I think I started out saying I wanted to be a Ballerina. Seriously? That is definitely not something I should do (or would ever get paid to do). lol I love your kiddo’s videos!
It’s funny you mentioned that…my friend Lynn, her daughter grew up to be a Prima Ballerina in the Russian Ballet.
Apparently when she was a little girl her mom (Lynn) took her to the ballet and she sat in the seat and wept the entire time…when she was asked what was wrong she said “it’s just so beautiful mom” and it was then that Lynn knew her little girl was going to be a ballerina.
Neat eh!
My kids change their minds every couple of years it seems and my youngest now says that she wants to be “me” as in herself which I think is a great answer. 🙂
It’s nice to learn early, I’m sure. I wish I could figure mine out… I’m tired of being in limbo.
I love asking my kids this question. Their answer seems to change over the years, many of their answers I am glad they have changed! LOL
Aww great answers! It’s awesome that they all have such different interests. Your daughters might team up though!
Can you imagine?!? That might just be the coolest doctor/nurse team 🙂
Though depending on the day the youngest flip flops between wanting to help animals or people.
Love the kid videos. Even the quickest “What i want to be when I grow up” videos will be cherished in the future!
My oldest (who just got his black belt) wants to own his own dojo and my little one wants to be a mailman, but have a route on my street so he can come to my house for lunch lol. so cute.