Why do parents tell their kids they can be whatever they want when they grow up, when it's most likely not

Question

true?

Be realistic. Ex. A student that gets C's in highschool has no chance of getting into Harvard.

Why don't parents encourge them to pursue their strength's?

I'm not saying don't encourage your kids but if they have limitations (everybody in the world has limitations (intellect, looks, etc.)) would you encourage them to pursue something that doesn't work with their strengths? Because if they don't have a natural strength they can work as hard as they can and not necessarily make it,
I'm just saying isn't it better to encourage their strength's.

I just don't want them to have unrealistic goals and then have their hearts broken, thats a very hard thing for a parent to see.

Answer 1

What I tell my kids is that they can do anything they want to do - but some things will require lots more work than other things. I explain that being a doctor takes years and years of training and it is expensive, but being, say, a teacher, involves less college and less expense. I have always encouraged them to whatever career or job will make them happy - because a job you like is a lot better than a better-paying job you hate. Kids CAN do anything - it can just be more complicated... If they aren't mentally capable of the study involved, I would tell them to focus on their strengths and things they like and make appropriate suggestions.

Answer 2

My motto with my children has always been, "You can always be what God wants you to be." That way they realize that God has a plan and will give them the talent they need to pursue it. Also, they don't have to be the best at what they do to obtain their goal, they can be good at it and practice and work. They don't necessarily have to have a strong natural talent if they're willing to work. But still, you can't be something that God hasn't planned for you. I mean seriously, I'm a terrible cook no matter how hard I try (my husband always calls my food "pound cake" no matter what it is supposed to be), so I'm pretty sure that's not my calling. But I'm a great artist and very creative. My mom helped encourage both cooking and art, but I flourished at what I was capable of. And a reality check, there are some things that are just far-fetched and even though a child might want to pursue something, things like environment, location, instruction, etc., can really limit their capabilities. Not that those are excuses not to try, but a child just has to be taught how to overcome obstacles and also to realize that they may have to make difficult choices to get where they want to be. It's the parent's responsibility to make sure their children have honest answers to the reality of what they want to be. It's not killing a dream, it's helping them reach a real goal.

Answer 3

If you say it is most likely " not " then it is most likely not 4 U ! and maybe... yours. However If a child grows up w / the the thought that all things are possible (glass is 1/2 full) they are more likely to see possibilities where you would see none...they will learn at their own pace that the world changes constantly and we must be prepared to change w/it always w/ the thought that we will succeed and be OK... Besides a child's dream will probably change many times why not believe all things are possible? The whole world could end today shall we hammer that home too?!!!

Answer 4

They want their kids to have goals and dreams. To reach past their own mind. My sister has a learning disability. She was always told she could not be a nurse like she wanted to be. She failed in school in college and her career. When I became an Adult I encouraged her to do something that she was interested in. She kept trying to quit thinking she could not do it. I told her she could and that she would never know for sure if she did not finish. Now she is a licensed person, and is awesome at what she does. It pays to help people reach beyond what they think they can achieve.

Answer 5

Very negative attitude.Honestly I hope you dont have kids with that kind of attitude. Do you think we should tell a kid what they should be when they grow up and not give them a choice. My son who is 8 said he wants to be a policeman when he grows up. He wants to be like papa. My daughter who is 6 wants to be a ballet teacher. Kids will change there minds many times about what they want to be. I encourage my children to do what will make them happy.

Answer 6

I think you're very wrong. One of my favorite quotes is that "The sky is the limit" and a child should have no limitations to his/her ambitions and skills. Learning is the first step and then loving what you have learned is next. And last comes fulfilling what you loved to learn. There are people that may be disadvantaged in their resources to become what they want, but most individuals that are truly ambitious will make things happen, with what they have while seeking what they lack.

Answer 7

I encourage my children to do their best. I don't expect perfection. They are not really old enough to look at what they really want to do when they grow up. I do tell them they could be anything they want to be. I also make sure they are doing well in school and participate in the activities involved. They care as much as I do.

Answer 8

Because, for the most part, it *IS* true. Every person has the potential in him or her to work hard, learn and do almost anything that they want. They just need motivation, support and education. If you want someone to succeed, one of the best things you can do is to stand behind them and be their cheerleader.

Answer 9

they tell them that so they can try for the best and if u have a goal most kids wanna go through with it like me im 13 and i really wanna become a choreographer and thats what ive wanted to do since i was 3 and im going through it and my mom told me i could b whatever i wanted to b!

Answer 10

Because you want to encourgage children to best the best they can. Sure little Sally may want to be a Astronaut, but she doesn't have the aptitude for it -- so you help her realize her shortcomings and reality and help her move into something else -- like working at NASA. Let them try -- if they fail -- ok -- at least they tried.