Help Your Child To Achieve Their Ambitions

7th December 2007

Parents often have lofty career ambitions for their children but a new report by The Children's Mutual shows that the kids are equally abitious.

A career as a doctor was most popular with parents when asked what they wanted their five-year-olds to be when they grew up, and doctor was also the top career choice for their youngsters.

While most parents just want their child to be happy in their chosen career, they tend to favour the traditional professions - doctor, teacher, lawyer, vet and nurse are parents' top five ambitions for their children.

As well as wanting to become doctors, the UK's children also had other traditional vocations at the top of their career wish-lists: firefighter, teacher, vet and police officer.

This is refreshing in a society dominated by celebrities and reality TV, but that said, the odd flight of fancy did creep in: becoming a princess sneaked into third place for girls, while some boys were more interested in donning a cape in search of 'super hero' status, listing it in fifth place on their career chart, suggesting it's not just parents who have high hopes for the future.

The Children's Mutual has teamed up with parenting skills expert Dr Pat Spungin, to put together some top tips to help parents and children succeed in turning their career dreams into a reality.

1. When they are young, develop a positive attitude to learning by encouraging your child's curiosity about the world.
2. With pre-school children, encourage active play, read to them and give them toys and games that encourage their creativity and imagination.
3. Limit the amount of screen viewing in favour of more active activities, which stimulate the child's imagination and build their inner resources.
4. Always answer your child's questions if you can. If you don't know the answer, you and your child can look for the answer in books or on the internet.
5. Education is the key to getting a good job, so always support and work with the school to help your child realise their potential.
6. Show an interest in what your child is learning at school and praise their achievements.
7. As your child gets older make sure they have the correct information about their potential career choices, so that they make the right decisions about school subjects at 16 and 18.
8. Children's career choices may change over time, don't pressure your child into following a career path that you want but they are not fully committed to.
9. Don't put pressure on your child to succeed academically beyond their abilities. There are many ways to succeed in life other than by getting top marks for all subjects. Identify your child's particular abilities and look for career choices that match their unique talents.
10. Motivation and determination are important in achieving career goals. Encourage your children to persevere with things they start and praise their achievements when they overcome difficulties.

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