When you were five, what did you want to be when you grew up? I know that I wanted to be a veterinarian when I grew up, but my mom would remind me quite often how I was going to have to look at a lot of blood and, well…that didn’t seem like the kind of fun I was thinking of when it came to working with puppies and kittens. Fast forward to high school, I took Mechanical Engineering and Architectural Engineering, hoping to follow in the footsteps of my grandfather who was an Engineer (a genius , in my opinion). This man was, by trade, a Mechanical Engineer, a Nautical Engineer, an Aerospace Engineer, and a Boat Designer. I did not get much encouragement at home, though, on any of these trades and was told I would have to be able to get good grades in “really hard math classes” such as Trigonometry and Calculus. Well, at that time, I was no math whiz, so I figured I wasn’t good enough to pursue a career in any of these fields. Even though I graduated high school with a 3.87 GPA, I still didn’t think I was smart enough or good enough to pursue anything of true value (in my eyes), so I took on my first job at 18 years old, and followed that path of changing jobs every few years until the birth of my first child.
I cannot explain why or how, but I found myself enrolling into the local community college when my first child was 10 months old. I had no idea what I was pursuing, just simply an Associate’s degree because I was told I needed one in order to “make something of my life”. I paused after 3 years of taking classes with no real purpose other than to get experience for the field I eventually spent several years in, working for two major companies. Now, almost twenty years later, I am finishing my Master’s degree in one field, and beginning another Master’s degree in another field (both, of which have taught me much more than I even thought I possibly needed)!
Today, as a momma of five children, I believe it is vital for me to encourage whatever vocation my children desire or show interest in. That is the beauty of homeschool—to be able to encourage and nurture whatever vocation they have in mind. Even though their interests might change over the course of their youth, I want to be their cheerleader, whatever they choose. Currently, one has the desire to go into fitness and nutrition, one has a desire to go into veterinary medicine, and three have the desire to go into the priesthood! Why wouldn’t I want to encourage my little chicks in whatever it is their vocation may be?! So, take time today, momma, and talk to your child(ren) about what it is that they might want to be when they grow up. You might be surprised at the adventure they have in mind, so get onboard with them and enjoy the ride!
