What do you want to be when you grow up ?

[Shanna-like-Banana]

I just turned 31 and have no idea what I want to be when I grow up. I never have. I like so many things, but nothing exact at the same time.

I'm a kinda SAHM to 3 kids, 2 in elem. 1 in middle school. I work as a sub for the school district, and I do the SAHM gig on days I dont work.

I've had fleeting thought of being a teacher, but then I have many days with classes that I think to myself no freakin way. Other days are perfect and great and I think, I could totally handle this.


Other than that I like to plan things, such as events and parties.

I wonder if I'll ever figure out what I'll be when I grow up ?

 

[Colleen27]

I have the same problem. I'm a SAHM to a high schooler, middle schooler, and elementary schooler. I did a lot of "What do I want to be when I grow up?" soul searching when I went back to school and I'm still no closer to an answer than I was when I started.

Ambition really isn't in my nature and every time I stumble across something that I could see myself doing there's some big downside that I just can't get past - a need to relocate or have a very long commute, or other demands that would mean family time would have to be back-burnered to a degree that I'm not comfortable with. For example, I thought a great deal about going into teaching. I enjoy working with older kids and have a professional background that lends itself to a field where there's still some demand (IT). But then I stopped to think about it. My husband is in construction, so summer is his busy time. If I choose a field where I can't vacation during the school year knowing that he's in one where he can't vacation during the summer, where does that leave us as a family?

But I'm quite happy with what I'm doing now, being home with my gardens and crafts to fill the time when the kids are in school and some off and on freelance work to earn a few bucks, so I've chosen to approach things from a more practical angle... developing skills that fit the lifestyle I want rather than trying to figure out where my still-undiscovered professional passions may lie.

 

[sallysue66]

When I grow up, meaning after I retire from banking in a few years when I turn 50 and DD15 graduates, I want to be either a travel agent, a cook on a sail boat in the Caribbean or The Fairy Godmother in the MK!

 

[superme80]

I want to own my own children's/teen theater company and dance studio. Will I ever get to??? No clue. But it is a dream of mine.

 

[Handbag Lady]

I want to be a veterinarian, a travel agent, a party planner working with brides, or a secretary to a decent CEO. And a horse. I thought being a horse would be the coolest thing. I mean, when I was four.

I'm 45 so I still have time, right!?

 

[worm761]

When other little kids wanted to be nurses, doctors, astronauts and whatnot, I wanted to be a mom. That was it. I am currently a SAHM to a 17 year old and a 4 year old. We have no plans for me to ever go back to work unless finances dictate it.

Don't feel bad though. DH still doesn't know what he wants to be. He has his GI Bill approved but can't decide on a major. He loves what he does and there isn't a civilian job counter part. Well, there is but they are companies that work with the military. DH is currently a DOD employee.

 

[Handbag Lady]

When other little kids wanted to be nurses, doctors, astronauts and whatnot, I wanted to be a mom. That was it. I am currently a SAHM to a 17 year old and a 4 year old. We have no plans for me to ever go back to work unless finances dictate it.

Don't feel bad though. DH still doesn't know what he wants to be. He has his GI Bill approved but can't decide on a major. He loves what he does and there isn't a civilian job counter part. Well, there is but they are companies that work with the military. DH is currently a DOD employee.

My aunt was the same way. When she was a teen, all she wanted was to be a mom. She married at 16 (with parents' blessings) and raised two kids. She now has two grandkids and still enjoys the art of mothering. It's a great job.

 

[LJSquishy]

A mom. I've always dreamed of being a stay at home mom. I've been a housewife for about 7 years but we haven't had any successful pregnancies yet, just 4 miscarriages.

For a short stint I did want to be a forensic scientist but when I realized how much math and science was needed I gave up. I've always been terrible at math!

I did get my AA degree but since I knew I wouldn't use a 4yr degree I did not get my BA. I'm glad I didn't because we'd be paying on my school loans. Hopefully we will be able to afford adoption or be able to have a biological child (we don't care which), otherwise I will just be a housewife and not a SAHM.

 

[garnetandblack]

I was/am a real estate agent (I still have my license) until I had DS4 and decided to be a SAHM. I have always been into art, crafting, party planning, cooking and sewing. I have an embroidery machine and I am currently learning photography. I also bake cakes. Ha. I guess all of those things help with being a SAHM.

Sometimes I feel like a jack of all trades, lol!

I love being a SAHM and would love to have more children (infertility has prohibited that). We are also thinking of homeschooling DS, so going back to work when he starts school might not be an option. I did fairly well with real estate and I really do love it - but in order to be successful I would have to work 60+ hours a week and that isn't ever going to happen again. We have several rental properties that I manage but I would hardly consider that a career.

I used to throw parties all the time before I had DS and I love it. I have always dreamed of buying a big, old victorian house on several acres and converting it into a one stop shop wedding/party venue. We almost bought a place 7 years ago but it just needed way too much work and we didn't have the cash on hand to do it.

 

[garnetandblack]

A mom. I've always dreamed of being a stay at home mom. I've been a housewife for about 7 years but we haven't had any successful pregnancies yet, just 4 miscarriages.

For a short stint I did want to be a forensic scientist but when I realized how much math and science was needed I gave up. I've always been terrible at math!

I did get my AA degree but since I knew I wouldn't use a 4yr degree I did not get my BA. I'm glad I didn't because we'd be paying on my school loans. Hopefully we will be able to afford adoption or be able to have a biological child (we don't care which), otherwise I will just be a housewife and not a SAHM.

I am so sorry for your losses - I have had 3 miscarriages and they are so heartbreaking. I was able to have DS after 3 years of IF treatment and 2 miscarriages. I thought that I would go back to work part time after DS was 6 months old but I just couldn't. We have tried to have more children but it looks like he will be our only.

I will keep you and your husband in my prayers.

 

[AquaDame]

Hi Shanna, nice name, it's mine too!

I have a hard time with this also - just turned 32 on Sunday and still no clue what I want to be. A friend when I was working at Starbucks as a teenager said if you don't know, just go where the money is (he was on his way to being a Dr) and maybe I should have listened to him because in the end I followed references down the path of IT so kinda did that anyway.

I *should* be a housewife... I love puttering, gardening, sewing, cooking, preserving, DIY tasks and can always fill my day happily when I am home and feel stuck when working. I also dig volunteering at our zoo, playing organized sports and running. Maybe I'm just not MEANT to grow up! We wish my husband made more so I could stay home since those are things he doesn't want to do (he's an engineer) and maybe if I could stop wanting to go on vacations more then I could do just that!

 

[pjlla]

I am nearing a big birthday this year (half century) and I STILL don't know what I want to be! Sad, but true.

During my full-time/post-college years (I was a home ec major) I worked in retail for a while (liked it but not the hours), office work (liked it, but not the pay), hospital/doctor's office work and medical transcription (liked it and when I did transcription by the line the pay was really good)... but then I had my kiddos and other than doing a bit of transcription at home, I didn't while they were little.

Started substitute teaching (K-12 but mostly do K-4) when DS was a 1st grader and DD was a 4th grader, 10 years ago and I'm still doing it.... and I do NOT like it... but I like the pay and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the flexibility, so I'm sticking with it for now. I also have a once-a-week regular job with a company I TRULY believe in.... but for a variety of reasons (including the pay) I prefer for now not to expand into more hours.

So.... what does all of this say about me?? That I still have NO IDEA what my ideal job would be!! Good luck discovering your passion!.................P

 

[CupcakeKelly]

I'm not sure! Like a few of you PPs, I'm 31 and not too sure what I'd like to do. I don't think I could be a SAHM, just not for me. I currently work in corporate tax, and on one hand I'm lucky that I make a good living and I'm good at my job. OTOH, at this point there would be no lateral moves and we're not in a position for me to take a pay cut. I think eventually I might like to go back to school and eventually become a college professor (probably in business or accounting)

 

[Shanna-like-Banana]

Hi Shanna, nice name, it's mine too!

QUOTE]

But is your name really Shanna ?

Like Hanna ? rhymes with Anna ? Do people call you Shanna Banana fee fie fo fanna ?

Not Shana, Sheena, Shawna ? But really truly Shanna ?

I was named after a book. "Shanna", it was a trashy romance novel

My daughter was named after a character in a short story, " The Gift of the Magi "

 

[DisneyFansInLINY]

Thank you for this thread! I am a SAHM to 2 kids. I am 32 and always joke about what I want to do when I grow up. It's comforting to know that I am not alone!

 

[Egdisney]

Hi, my name is Ericka and I have the same problem! I am also 31, and currently a sahm to 4. I have never discovered a passion, and have an even harder time sticking with things I find dull(ADD). I like learning when I am interested in the subject, if it is boring I can't make myself touch it! I am with a pp in I get an idea of something I think I would enjoy and then find a reason to talk myself out of it(low pay, bad hours, minimal jobs, schooling is too difficult). My husband has said I don't need to worry about the future and I can always stay at home if money allows, but I want to find something that I would actually enjoy and feel proud of if I do have to work! Before staying at home I had worked in fast food management, as a customer service rep for PayPal and Marriott, a bank teller, and a black jack and poker dealer at a Casino. When I was young I wanted to be a radio dj or a reporter for Rolling Stone. Lol. I really want to be a rock star, but I do not have talent. It isn't fair!

 

[NeverlandClub23]

I'm 32 and have been a paralegal for 6 years. When I grow up I want to be a dog walker/lawn mower (haha! not an actual "lawn mower", but a person who mows lawns. Not a landscaper because I don't want it to be that serious where I have to have all this equipment or it takes all day). My husband (37) is a real estate agent/property manager and wants to be a bartender at a WDW resort pool bar. Our jobs are just a means to an end to pay off our houses, save as much money as possible, get our dream house in FL, and then just enjoy life.

During the spring/summer we mow a couple yards a week for some of the homes he manages. We absolutely love it. I make a big batch of sweet tea, load up the truck, I mow and he weed eats, and we talk and laugh without the stresses of our regular jobs.

I would love to be a dog walker or own a shelter. We have 4 dogs and I just love everything about dogs. Unfortunately, these jobs we would love don't pay well, so we'd rather bust our butts at our current jobs to get to where we want to be.

 

[findmewdw]

When I grow up, meaning after I retire from banking in a few years when I turn 50 and DD15 graduates, I want to be either a travel agent, a cook on a sail boat in the Caribbean or The Fairy Godmother in the MK!

Right there with you! I am a teacher and will be able to retire in four years at 51 and planning travel for other people is fun! Love the Fairy Godmother at MK! I would love that gig! Or the germ-X lady at the buffet for cruises or ushers at Broadway plays. Can't wait for something different!

Cute thread! Trying to help my DD in college decide on this same topic!

 

[richmond282]

Independently wealthy or a mega million dollar lottery winner holing the only ticket

 

[Enchanted Minnie]

I'm 33 and I don't know either! When I was little all I wanted to be was a mom. I became a SAHM when my twins were born but I'm not such a great housekeeper! Plus I love being a mom but I think I'm a better mom when I have some time away talking to actual grown ups! When they were in Kindergarten and my singleton was about 3 I worked in retail just for seasonal work.

Before I had kids I worked as a nurse aide in the medical field. So after the seasonal work was over I went back to what I knew, the medical field. But I didn't want to follow my mom's footsteps of nursing and started going to school to be a teacher so I could have the same schedule as the kids. So of course I figured if I'm going into teaching perhaps I should work at a school to see what it was like. Aaaannnnnddd I hated it! I was so frustrated working with kids whose parents didn't work together with staff. Or kids who wanted to learn but didn't have the support at home. Plus many many other things that teachers have to deal with on a daily basis, they are saints I tell ya!

Then my DH lost his job anyway and I needed a job that paid better then education. So of course, I went back to the medical field. I work at the VA here in town on a medical floor. I'm good at it and it's second nature to me. I'm currently going back to school for my nursing degree. The VA will pay for my school, plus once I'm in nursing school they will pretty much pay my salary while I'm there. I won't have to work, just school. I only need to give them a 3 year commitment.

Is it my dream job? Nope. I love the vets and that's my favorite part. But I don't know what else I would do. I'm thinking I must be undiagnosed ADD because like many others I lose interest or if I find something hard it's difficult for me to stick with it. But I'd be crazy to not take the VA up on their scholarship. The next few years are going to kill me! Nursing school is hard!

My ultimate dream job I think would be to be a marine biologist. I love love sharks and think it would be so cool to study them and be out on the open ocean!