How to Gently Guide Your Child Toward Growing Up to Be a Doctor

Admit it, you would love for your child to grow up and become a doctor. In fact, probably ninety percent of parents dream of their child becoming a doctor. And the other ten percent are looking at the White House.

Well, why not? Doctors earn good money and they seem to command respect. However, being a doctor is not for everyone. Some people are just not cut out to be doctors. So how do you know if your child would make a good doctor? And, how do you gently guide him towards that possible career choice?

Before you run out and buy your child a white coat and stethoscope, consider what it takes to be a doctor. It involves long hours studying, studying, and more studying. Then comes medical school and internship. How does your child cope with schoolwork? It really is true that some kids simply don't like to study. Do you think your child would be willing to put in the time it takes to become a doctor? Even if your answer is probably not, based on how he feels about school right now, don't let that discourage you. Kids do change as they grow. So if you are really serious about guiding your child toward a career in medicine, there are a few techniques you can use.

If you are a doctor or your spouse is, you're already on the way. Many children do tend to follow in their parents' footsteps. If your child has been raised in a home with a doctor, he or she is already accustomed to the medical environment. Therefore, it would seem natural for him or her to continue the tradition. That's not to say that he may not want to be a fireman or a pilot early on in his life. Many children change their choices of careers countless times as they grow.

The main point is to give gentle suggestions as to the possibility of a medical career. Don't shove it down their throat, especially as they enter their teen years. At this point in their lives, most teens are more concerned with their friends, sports, and clothes. If you over push, you may actually turn them against the idea. You can keep talking about it, as long as it comes up casually. For instance, while watching a ball game, you could mention that you read that sports medicine is a great field to enter. By just keeping the idea in their minds, you're providing a subtle suggestion.

Another great way to get him thinking of being a doctor is to have one visit your child's classroom and talk to the class. Check with your child's teacher and see if this would be possible. And when you take your child to see a doctor, encourage him to ask the doctor questions. He could ask him questions like, "Why did you want to be a doctor?" or "Is it hard being a doctor?"

If your child likes to take care of animals, you could talk about veterinarians. Take him or her to visit a local pet hospital and see if the vet will take the time to talk to your child. Things like visiting the pet hospital will stick in his memory much longer than simple words.

As a parent, you can try to sway your child toward a career as a doctor. Keep in mind, however, that ultimately, it should be your child's choice. It is, after all, his life. You don't want to find out years later that your child regrets becoming a doctor. That his real dream was to be an attorney or an astronaut or a fireman, but he felt pressured into becoming a doctor by you. So, when he's old enough to make a decision on something as important as becoming a doctor, talk to him. Find out exactly what his dreams are. Let him know that the most important thing to you is that he is happy. And remember that, no matter what his career choice is.