Parenting according to Wikipedia is defined as the physical, emotional, social, and intellectual development provided by a caregiver to a child from infancy to adulthood. These involve a dedicated process of consistent contribution towards their growth by providing nurture and support. Children are like flowers, beautiful when nourished with water and care but if neglected, the outcome will no longer be pleasant.
Physical support is shrouded in their appearance and physical disposition, and as a parent, their wellbeing is of utmost priority. From the warm meals that grace their bowels to the cloth on their body becomes a need that must be met. The weary look on a parent’s face when a child comes down with a fever to the furrowed brow when the source of provision thins out gives credence to the important role a parent plays in the life of their child.
The role of a parent goes beyond making provision for the physical looks and a balance to be struck, the child’s emotional needs must also be taken into consideration. Does the child have a queer or bubbly attitude, do they express themselves without reservation or shrink in fear when faced with certain conversations? A parent who looks beyond the physical to nurture the emotional aspect of a child will have a full grasp of the functionality of these amazing beings.
Then there’s the social and intellectual development, a phase of mental and psychological strengthening. Here the child is equipped with the courage and undeterred grit to face the world. The child must learn how to interact with the society and adapt to the dynamics of our ever-changing planet and a parent must be there every step of the way holding their hands.
From the very first unsteady gait to the feet strolling down the office hallway, the parenting instilled in every child echo down the hallway of their future pursuit. When a child gets to a point when they must make a career choice, they are often imbued with several options that could be influenced by diverse factors.
So, what’s the role of a parent during the choice for a career path? Smother them with your opinions or provide the support that will help them in making the right choice. A career path helps to tailor their future pursuit into achieving set goals and objectives and most times a child can make a choice that might be a detour from what a parent anticipates. At these crossroads, it could be really frustrating as every parent wants what’s best for their child. Here are tips on how to guide them down the right career path.
BE SUPPORTIVE
Here a parent is like a lifeline, the child is tethered to the years of experience you’ve had and rely on the wealth of knowledge acquired over time. Counselling and support are provided without discarding their opinions and choices. A conversation can be initiated by the parent to help see things from the child’s perspective and in these moments, thoughts are clearly expressed, and ideas are exchanged. This atmosphere will see both parties reaching a crescendo of agreement hence producing outcomes that warms each heart.
PROVIDE MOTIVATION
A parent can provide career guide by acknowledging their interests in certain subjects and showing as much interest in it as the child does. A child loves art and is quite skilled with the paint brush, makes beautiful portraits and proudly shows it to you out of sheer enthusiasm, it would be quite a disaster to just make a grin or dismiss the child with a wave of your hand.
The lack of shared enthusiasm will be registered on the child’s mind and with that act of passive interest, lack of motivation might set in and if compelled to choose a career path that is not in tandem with their passion, the desire to excel in whatever path they will take on might burn out, leaving ashes of unproductivity and unfulfillment.
BE A LIGHTHOUSE
A light house is often seen close to seas, it’s a tower house containing a beacon light to warn or guide ships at sea. They provide a guide and then serve as a warning as well, distressed ships at sea feel a huge sense of relief upon seeing a light house.
They also avoid anchoring on some certain terrains when they notice an impending danger because the lighthouse gives them a good view of the place before they get there. So, the role of a parent can be likened to the above illustration, you are older, and you’ve got firsthand experience, they are young, sometimes full of youthful exuberance, tossed on the sea of perceived modern ideas and trends and so might not share your stance.
On the sea, they could run into precarious situations, immersed in peer pressure, and given to negative vices. A parent becomes a lighthouse, fixed on the spot, watching, and providing guidance. You become a sailor’s compass, sailing on the ship with them and making sure they don’t go adrift.
You alert them when there’s danger by flooding their path with your light of love, towering over them with your touch of safety, and bringing them safe to shores. Every career path has the potential of making something out of the most common man if given the right attention and pursued with diligence. During some special occasions like their birthdays, a parent can tuck in a book amongst the presents, get them a career counsellor or even provide some help if they need clarity on certain issues.
BE A CHEERLEADER
Nothing beats the role of a fan to a team of sporting men and women; they are spurred to reach for heights that might seem unattainable. Clap for your child even when everybody thinks the feat isn’t something worth celebrating, stand with them through the toughest times and walk the loneliest path with them.
Be there to herald their journey and support them in every way you can, even if the career path doesn’t augur well with you, find a suitable time to converse and have a dialogue about exploring other options, but if the child insists on a certain career path, they must be allowed to follow their heart. Provide the support they need and together, the two of you can walk the long road to better days.
