Parents Know Best?

 

I have learned a very long list of things by raising two kids.  I can't say it was unexpected, but some of them came as a surprise.  One that I've come to realize recently is that it's OK to stray from accepted preconceived paths or ideas.  

 As I grew up the accepted norm was school, college, white collar.  Pretty straight forward.  I always enjoyed being at school, but not so much the actual schooling.  But since I never really considered a different path, I soldiered forth as needed...to a point.

My two, now teenage, boys as so similar in many ways and SO, SO unique as well.  That was weird to get used to at first, but I grew to relish it.  The older is following what I'd consider the more traditional path that I assumed to be on at his age.  He was very studious in high school, is now attending college, studying engineering, and knows that is what he'd like to move into after getting his degree.

The curve ball here is my younger son.  He is very creative and intelligent, which is to be expected...cause, let's face it, look at his dad.  However, he is not a lover of school, doesn't necessarily want to attend college, and is still scanning the horizon for that inspiration of what to do "when he grows up."  It took some getting used to, but I have found that I'm completely OK with all that. 

It was a very hard thing to step back and let one of my kids choose the path that I feel like I would never have considered for myself or for him.  But I think the lesson is very well learned.  He has taken a bit of control of where he wants to go, and I feel like he'll be happier and more prosperous in the end for doing it.

As parents, as flexible and cool as we all think we are, the urge to get the kids on a familiar path is nearly overwhelming.  It's been drilled into all of us that there is a safe, effective, and normal way to grow up and into and career.  At fifty, I am finally and truly comfortable with the fact that that does not need to be the case. 

And maybe more importantly, I am proud that he has had the courage to not toe the line.  I know it's not scaling Everest, but to a teenager it is a daunting task to not follow the herd.  The herd is comfortable but not always right.  Take the path less travelled (yep) if it calls to you, and do what will lay out your best future. That could make all the difference.