When I was a kid I wanted to be a surgeon. I thought the inner workings of the human body were fascinating and couldn’t get enough of those PBS shows that brought operating tables into my family room. When they would hint at graphic images ahead and everyone else would turn away, I would glue myself to the screen.
Turns out, though, that you actually have to be a pretty good student if you choose that line of work. My elementary school report cards, which were all spotted with remarks like, “shares with her neighbors” and “doesn’t stay on task”, weren’t going to get me into medical school. It seems I was more suited to be a gossip columnist.
But as a parent, I have a chance to right what I did wrong. I have made it clear to my third-grade daughter that she needs to apply herself now, if she wants to be successful later.
We were recently discussing this and I asked her, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”
She shrugged.
Given her love of animals and her near obsession with dogs, I suggested she should become a veterinarian.
She shook her head and said, “I don’t want to be a veterinarian! They can’t eat meat!“
Apparently, someone wasn’t staying on task during health and nutrition class.
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Misty
CUTE…
BUT, Maybe she is on to something after all…
If I were a veterinarian, I don’t know that I’d feel ok eating meet. Esp. if I worked with all animals.
The Immoral Matriarch
*lol*
I wanted to be a vet, but I couldn’t. They have put animals down.
And learn calculus…
Lisa
I honestly remember confusing those two words growing up too! I’m with her on loving meat–a life without bacon is a life not worth living!
Bean
Funny!!
And – I didn’t know that about you!
Xbox4NappyRash
Ooooh. Veterinarian… I couldn’t be one.
I refuse to put my hand inside an ugly pig.
…again.
LiteralDan
I think you should punish her for not paying attention by allowing her to continue confusing the two. That’ll learn her… and be funny for you.
Jo Beaufoix
I would have liked to be a vet too, but the learning about bodies and stuff? Naaaaah. I wouldn’t trust me with a knife anyway.
Kiera
I always used to confuse those two words when I was younger. Cute story, like all of your stories.
chefmom
HAHAHA!! That’s a riot! My daughter is like you. Watches those shows, found a website that you can perform virtual surgery on, and loves to dissect the bag’oparts that come with the Turkey. I can thank my Mom for starting that one!
MommyTime
Very funny. Recently at our house, he’s shifted from wanting to be a “Fireman” when he grows up to wanting to be a “Race Car Driver” to wanting to be a “Skate-Board Guy.” Today, he asked me where Pirates go to school. I figure these plans can (WILL) change. 🙂
Jaina
Haha, that’s cute. I remember getting quite a few of those “talking” comments. See, I was just one of those kids who could carry on a conversation AND get my work done at the same time. Is it my fault that the other kids couldn’t?
Bee Repartee
Maybe she could be a genealogist and study rocks and minerals instead.
wornoutwoman
Okay that would especially apply in the PHILIPPINES, where dog is a delicacy.
Ewwww!
AlisonH
Lol! Show her my entry on 4/11 about my friend’s daughter the young veterinarian–she almost got to BE the meat!
Ashley
lol How about a dog trainer then? or Dog whisperer?! lol
Michael C
What a great repsonse! My oldest twin told me a few weeks ago that she doesn’t like Kindergarten because it’s too much work and she doesn’t get to play as much as she used to.
If there was any doubt about her being my exact tiny replica, there is doubt no longer!!
Bee
Ha ha! That is hilarious!
My niece is a little litigator so I told her she should become a lawyer when she grew up.
She smacked her forhead and asked “Do you remember when I told you I wanted to be a vetrenarian?”
“yes…”
“Well then why do you want me to be a lawyer??”
Melisa
Oops! That’s funny.
My 13-year-old wants to be a stand-up comedian. How do I handle THAT one?
Tara R.
That’s awesome… she may be onto something.
nola
So if she says she doesn’t want to be a doctor, you may get concerned. She may be picturing you with those white thingys on your legs like Tom would picture Jerry. 😉
LaskiGal
Looks like I’m not alone on this one. I used to confuse those two ALL THE TIME!!!
What’s worse, half of my high school students STILL confuse the two . . .
Ed (zoesdad)
That’s too funny!
My girls are still at the age where you ask them what they want to be when they grow up and they say—a princess.
Who doesn’t?
Bec
Perhaps she meant for philosophical reasons?
Stacey @Real World Mom
How cute is that?! Out of the mouths of babes! 🙂
derekandmandy
Oh, I love your blog!
I’m so glad I got to meet you and find another great one to read!!
🙂
I hope your son is doing better, and that you can rest at ease now, being able to be home and be with him. And your daughter. I felt your pain last night sooo, so much. We so have to do it again another time under better circumstances.
Take care!
BusyDad
My sister went to veterinary school and she’s a vegetarian. That must mean she, um, cures vegetables?
Dette
lol – it cracks me up when they mix up words like that.
hell.
I still mix up words like that.
meleah rebeccah
now thats adorable
Kimmylyn
I remember wanting to be a vet.. but then I realized they have to touch animals butts and that was the end of it..
Look at me know.. I get my kids crap on me all the time and I don’t get paid for it..LOL
holly
at this age? i remember i wanted to be *older*.
OH OH! i have just remembered that qoh argued with me that she was a vegetarian.
i said ‘no, you eat meat’
she said ‘yeah, but i eat vegetables!’
i said ‘no, you don’t’
kids.
Mimi aka pz5wjj
Oh too funny! My 3 year old recently told me HE wanted to be a mommy when HE grew up.
He was most upset when I told Him He’d have to be a DADDY because only GIRLS are Mommy’s.
He threw a fit and cried, so I told him to go ahead and be the Mommy. That was fine with me.