Being a parent is a magical experience and one that can not really be put into words.
When we became pregnant at 17, most people asked us ‘are you ready for a baby’ and for the most part, this sassy 17 years old thought (and often said) ‘well its a little too late to ask that question’… The focus was on having a ‘baby’ on the crying, the sleepless nights, the nappy changes etc… No one warned us that the hard bit was to come, the bit from 10+ when they have their own fully formed personalities, goals, dreams, aspirations (or is that just my kids?).
These goals, dreams and aspirations do not always align with what we were told growing up was success.
When we were growing up, we were told that going to college, university and getting a good job was success and that getting married and having children was the icing on the cake. we were taught that there was an order to these things and anything outside of this order was not good. For years, we were told that finishing school and college were our focus and then we should go to university get a good job, get married, buy a house and then have children; for the most part we have done these things. The main difference was in the order in which we did them.
We got pregnant – finished college – went to Uni – got good jobs – moved in together – got pregnant (again) – got married – got even better jobs – to top it off, we moved to the other side of the world for a new life. The only thing left is to put down roots and buy a house. We added a few extra things in there that were not in the plan (if you ask previous generations of what success is). But we did it in a way that suited us and didn’t give in to the pressures to conform.
When I think about the futures our children will have, I want to support them as much as possible. I want them to truly live THEIR LIFE and THEIR DREAMS, not what I (or anyone else) want them to do or be. Whilst this can be hard at times, even frustrating when you can see them running towards a wall head first and want to slow them down or put a helmet on them. I try and remember that they have different aspirations to me and that they have different opportunities opened up by technology that we didn’t have.
Our daughter is studying an online business studies course and will be selling her art online (keep an eye out for a furture blog), she spends her time between Australia and the UK and can afford to continue with her career progression as her course and business are both on line.
Our son still wants to be a fire fighter and thinking about the destruction the current fires are having across Australia is a very admirable career to be considering at 10 years old. He also has his own YouTube channel, granted he has posted one video and most of his views and subscribers are from his family. He has decided upon something at such a young age that he likes and wants to pursue. This may or may not end up being super successful; but that’s not what’s important! He has taught himself how to edit his videos, something as an adult I am till trying to do. It is this innovation and no ‘glass ceiling’ thinking that I want to nurture within both my children. They have both found something that they love and want to turn it into a business and for that I am super proud.
Who knows what they will end up doing or being? Who knows if what they are pursuing now will end up being a successful career path for them? What I do know is that I am beyond proud of both my children for having a dream and going for it; For thinking outside the box and taking steps towards their dreams.
Thank you so much for your continued support and for keeping up with the Jalloh family.
Peace, Love and Happiness.
The Jalloh Family 