The lovely designer I met last week told me she has wanted to be a clothes designer since she was eight years old. I too, as a young child, had very fixed ideas about what I wanted to be. Up to the age of around 10 I wanted to be a vet for wild animals (since they have no vets), then I wanted to be a film star (like you do) then a writer. Never when asked the question adults invariably ask children ‘what do you want to be when you grow up?’ did I not know.

My children have no idea. I am longing for them to show some (any) consistent interest or passion for something. Here is a list of all the things they have tried over the past five years or so: art, judo, football, horse riding, rugby, ballet, tennis, jazz dancing, hip-hop, piano, violin, guitar, swimming, gymnastics and golf. Apart from Leo (who is mad about anything which involves a ball) they have shown no real aptitude or liking for anything. Maybe I have exposed them to too much?

But as a parent all you want to do is let them try as much as possible so they can see what they’re good at. Olivia’s violin teacher suggests she is so good at arguing she should become a barrister. I am not averse to that idea, but was rather hoping he might declare her fit for the role of First Violin with the Vienna Philharmonic.

Bea has said she wants to be a singer, but gave up guitar as soon as she had the chance. So she’s obviously not that serious about it. Knowing poor Bea she will just become what Olivia tells her. Leo will I hope become a sporting superstar so I can spend my twilight years on the sidelines of a cricket pitch, tennis court, rugby field or whatever.

Whatever else it will be interesting to see where their true passions lie. I just hope it’s not polo. Unless Olivia does become a barrister. Then she can pay for the ponies.
Copyright: Helena Frith Powell 2009