Can I pick my child's occupation?
No sooner had we paid off one kids' pre-paid college tuition plan, and gotten within a few months of paying off the other, when the two announced their career ambitions: trash man and
drive-through restaurant cashier.
Creed, who is 12, launched the conversation with his comments about how much fun it would be to work on the trash truck. It was the day after bulk trash pickup.
"I'll come visit you in your cardboard box,'' I said.
I don't know how to write the sound that he makes when he thinks what I'm saying is wrong. It's what I call the Exaggerated Gasp, and it is akin to an asthma attack wheeze into a microphone.
"Garbage men make a lot of money!'' he said. "They make more than teachers.''
I suspect he picked up that fact from one of his teachers, probably someone up high in the union.
"Teachers get the summer off,'' I countered, "but while they're on the beach, you would still be sifting through people's castoff garbage.''
Lily piped in. "I'm going to be a register.''
"What is a register?'' I asked, picturing an accounting ledger, and Lily sitting over it with a sharp pencil and designer eyeglasses. I was starting to feel better.
"You know those people you give money to with the register? They get paid!'' she said.
"You mean like a McDonald's drive-through lady who works on the cash register?''
"Yes!''
I had a flashback to a running discussion I had with Creed when he was about 5. The theme was "Is BLANK a good job?'' And he had asked me after we went through a toll booth on the Turnpike, "Is that a good job?''
I'm not criticizing all the good people who hold these jobs. But we've spent a fortune on college tuitions for these two, already. And if you don't use these pre-paid plans, you don't even earn interest on all the money you shelled out!
Plus, as parents aren't we supposed to push our kids to get as educated as they can? Because I want to live in a nice assisted living facility when I get old. A place with a nice hot tub.
"Lily, you are going to be a doctor who delivers babies,'' I said. "And Creed, you're going to be a veterinarian.''
End of story. Unless, of course, Creed's high school graduation coincides with bulk trash day, and he succumbs to the dream.
Comments
I can't tell, but you're are not seriously taking the ramblings of young kids pertaining to what job they like seriously are you ?
Posted by: Jeff | May 16, 2008 11:02 AM
I think children should be dreaming big. At this point they should be talking about being president of the United States, not jumping off a truck picking up trash.
Posted by: Brittany Wallman | May 22, 2008 10:46 AM
My 9-year-old proclaimed that he's going to be a professional team mascot, and that he's going to attend drama school to become a better mascot.
This is all his backup plan, in case he doesn't become a pro baseball player.
Posted by: Gail | May 22, 2008 7:09 PM
My high school friend became a garbage man directly after graduation. He is now retired living on a pension. I work in the IT field about 50 hours a week and have no pension except what I have saved. He stayed in decent condition. I am overweight.
He got off work everyday at 4. I have routinely worked to 6 or later. He got every holiday off and vacation time with no questions ask. My bosses over the years have harrassed me into working weekends and postponing vacations to finish 'critical' projects.
I got paid better but he made enough to live on. To be honest I am not sure who made the correct career decision. But yes I also have harassed my kids to go to college etc.
Posted by: dave2 | May 24, 2008 1:11 AM
Well, Ms. Wallman, perhaps you want to relax just a tad, and let your kids be kids. At the moment, my son wants to be a drummer. Last week he wanted to join the army. Last year he wanted to be a park ranger. I can go on and on and on, as his mind changed. Think back to when you were a kid, how quickly your thoughts changed, influenced by this that and the other thing. Also - very wise words by dave2 above. I went through that crap early in my career. I hated it so much I swore off large companies forever.
Posted by: Jeff | May 30, 2008 3:20 PM