The idea
In The Prophet (1923), Kahlil Gibran wrote that children "come through you but not from you". Parents give love and guidance, not a fixed script.
Guiding without controlling
- Share your experience as information, not orders.
- Ask what your child thinks before giving your view.
- Accept that their interests may differ from yours.
- Stay available when choices go wrong.
In career decisions
Parents' dreams for a child are natural. The healthiest outcome is a choice the child understands and owns.
Deciding whether it fits you
A field can look exciting from the outside and still be a poor fit. Before committing, talk to two or three people already doing the work, try a short course or project, and notice whether the day-to-day tasks energise or drain you. A structured conversation with a mentor can help you compare options against your interests, abilities and values rather than trends alone.