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What if my child wants to do what I do?

A recent survey by the University of New South Wales in Australia found that students are more likely to select a career similar to their father or mother’s occupation. But sometimes it's hard to know what to tell your child about whether or not they should follow in your footsteps.

What if I want better things for my son or daughter than I've achieved?

  • Be realistic about your child’s abilities and strengths and how they differ from yours.
  • Be careful you are not trying to live your dreams through your child.
  • Remember success can be measured in many different ways.
  • Be encouraging but remember too much pressure may damage your relationship with them.
  • Provide incentives for them to do well.
A motorcycle engineering apprentice is being shown how to work on a bike in a workshop.
Your child may be able to learn great skills in other areas first

I want my child to run the family business, but they have other talents

  • Leave the door open for them – you never know, they may change their mind about the family business over time.
  • As they acquire skills in one area, they may find they transfer well to the business world. For example, a marketing degree can be applied to many different areas, and later on in the family business.
  • Talk to them about your business and keep communication open; that way they are familiar with the current issues, should circumstances change.
  • Show interest and support as much as you can in their own enterprises, just as you have probably had support in establishing yours.

What if I don’t want to influence my child, one way or the other?

  • Expose them to experiences that could open a door to a different career.
  • Encourage them to pursue a wide range of interests, not just those similar to yours.

I want to warn my child, as I know all the negative sides of the job

  • Think about the benefits of them following you. You can give them a head start in the industry, as the job has been modelled to them from a young age.
  • Perhaps let them do work experience or work during the holidays so they can explore the ups and downs of the job.
  • It was okay for you, but it's not okay for them? Talk to them more about why you don’t want them to do it, but leave the choice up to them.
  • Make an offer to leave the door open for them, as long as they go out and try something else or get qualified first. That way they have another option to fall back on.