“Find a job that you enjoy and you will never have to work a day for the rest of your life.” If you live that philosophy, you would indeed love to see your children experience the challenges and benefits you are going through in your chosen career. It is but normal for loving parents to wish only the happiest and most fulfilling future for their kids. So, if your occupation is enjoyable and fulfilling for you, you may wish to see your children in the same ideal situation.
Although architectural design is not the highest paying job in the world, it could be one of the most satisfying and meaningful occupations a person like me can have. It could allow you to support a comfortable lifestyle, maybe even with enough time and blessings left to share. It really all depends on one’s gifts and mindset. The eagerness that prompts you to take up your workload and the excitement you still foster when you tackle even the most challenging obstacles on the job are definite signs that you are in that enviable situation of enjoying your career. Don’t get me wrong. There may still be days when you would rather dance on the rooftops or burrow under the covers. But if the majority of your work days show you energized and ready for tomorrow, you definitely have that edge in your professional life.
So, how do you invite your children to reap the same gifts you have? There is no hard and fast rule. But a mixture of subtle and direct encouragement could be applied. What’s more, the earlier you start them on the road, the better. Studies show that infants exposed to visual patterns, either colorful or not, develop a propinquity to the arts. If from their cribs, they are allowed to see ordered figures and simple images, you could probably train them to be comfortable with visual stimulation and remember the flow of designs.
As the child grows, you could show him progressively more detailed patterns and introduce the combination of colors. He can even be encouraged to try his hand at creating these new patterns and colors himself through the use of building blocks and crayons. Playing with clay, Lego blocks, or popsicle sticks is a good way to start the building juices going. It is likewise at this point that innate talents could surface, which if calmly praised by the attentive parent, could be a self-affirming process for the budding artist/designer. Try not to over-react to his little accomplishments, this might overwhelm him and frighten him from trying bigger things. But please do not ignore his attempts to express himself, even if his figures are disproportional, his colors clash, or his buildings lopsided.
As your child matures, it would be good to tell him about your work and make him see that you enjoy what you are doing. He must not perceive your work as a rival for your attention, but you must also send a clear message that you value what you do and that your output is valuable. Talk to him about the simple, interesting details of your job. It could be as simple as describing how cool it is to sit up high on a twisty chair. Or you could show him your drawing of a house and a picture of the actual house already constructed. Eventually, if he is at all interested, you can tell him stories about an enjoyable working day. But be honest and share with him, too, some of your difficulties, always including how you solved or coped with the situation. Do not exaggerate. If you really love your job, he will catch on.
The next step is to follow through. In case he does show a certain interest in what you do, expose him to even more books and magazines with beautiful designs and allow him to use increasingly better-quality drawing and coloring materials. Maybe you can gift him with a set of his own for a special occasion. In some instances, assign him a minor task regarding your work. You might ask for his inputs on color combinations, for him to design a simple logo, or for him to choose between two similar tile patterns. Who knows, you might just hit on a treasure trove of bright ideas and a fresh new take on your design. But when that happens, don’t forget to acknowledge his help or point out to him the advantages and disadvantages of his choice.
Sometimes, take him along to your project sites and show him the details carried out from your plans. Make him see how you deal with the people at the site, from clients, to suppliers, to carpenters. After your trips, welcome his questions and try to give them clear answers. If a problem arises, let him feel that it is something you will deal with calmly and reasonably.
Despite all these, it may happen that your child will not be sufficiently attracted to your profession and decide on another career. Take heart. This is not a failure on your part. Just think that you have still imparted a work ethic that will carry him through his own career. The love for the job, the capability to face challenges, the drive to do better each time – these are things he can still glean from you and apply to his life choices. Then, you may not have actually raised an Architect (or Designer, or Builder, or Artist), but you have proudly raised a true worker in the vineyard of the Lord.
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