From as early an age as I can remember I wanted to be a TV presenter. I would watch Blue Peter and imagine myself making things with sticky back plastic and helping to look after a dog or cat from the show and appear in the Blue Peter annual. When I was at school and I had to attend a careers class and I was asked what I wanted to be when I was older, I would say a television presenter but funnily enough none of the teachers I spoke to were able to help me or offer assistant about how I should go about doing this. When I left school I attended college to do my A Levels and then went to university where I studied media studies and english – a degree which I thought might help me in my quest in becoming a TV presenter.
However, once I graduated I moved back home to Devon and met my ex boyfriend and never really continued with my plans of moving to London and fulfilling my childhood dream. I did, however, attend two auditions just so that I could say when I looked back on my life in my old age that I did at least try to get a job in television. I went for the job as the Big Breakfast Weather Girl to replace Denise Van Outen when she became one of its main presenters. When I say I went for the role, it was an open audition where I and hundreds of other people spent most of the day queuing outside Earls Court only to be given a two minute window to impress at reading the weather. Sadly, I failed miserably at this as I didn’t hear the whistle go to signal the start of my weather reading and I by the time I realised I got flustered and cocked it up! *sighs*
The second audition I attended was when the BBC carried out open auditions for various roles including a Children’s presenter and a presenter for the holiday show. I had to travel to Cardiff for this and I did manage to successfully read my script when prompted, but sadly I never received a call back!! Hence, I never became a TV presenter – yes, I know – their loss indeed!!
However, this dream job did spur me on to study hard at school and college and (in between drinking and partying lots!) at university. The only trouble was though, that setting my aims so high I never really knew what else I wanted to do. I kind of bumbled along. I did ok and had some good jobs (marketing and owning my own cafe) but I followed a dream which never came true and I never had a back up plan!!
Being a Mummy is the best job I have ever had and will be the one I will have for the longest amount of time aswell. So now I just wish for myself a long, happy and healthy life so I am able to enjoy my time with my children for as long as I am able.
But what do I wish for my boys?
Firstly, above all else to be happy and content and healthy. To feel love and be loved as much, if not more than I love them.
Secondly, to be decent, kind, honourable, respectful and good mannered.
Lastly, to follow their dreams as much as they able. I want them to do whatever they want, within reason, and I will support them as much as I can. I don’t mind what job or qualifications they have as long as they tried their best and didn’t let themselves down by not putting in enough effort. I don’t want them to look back and regret that they didn’t at least try.
This post was inspired by a prompt by 
on the hopes and dreams I have for myself and my children
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I can totally relate to this post. I also spent a large chunk of my life chasing a dream which didn’t happen. I wonder now though whether it’s the living rather than the list of achievements thats important, hope so. Thanks for this post, off to write my own now.
This is lovely. With my little man getting ready to start school in September, and a newborn on my lap right now, I’m full of worries about their futures, their safety, their happiness, and I really like the advice of letting them follow their dreams – we all just want to be supportive, loving parents – it’s a great thing to focus on. Oh and I agree, TV’s loss…but it’s not too late for you! 😉
It is the living which is important and the experiences we gain along the way. I think its good to have aspirations to make us want to try hard to do well but i think happiness is far more valuable commodity to have xx
I think as parents we all want the very best for our children its jyst that when they are older we may not agree with their choices and we will have to decide whether to support them unconditionally even if we think its a mistake or a regret xx
Gosh – makes me realise how great my mum is!
I don’t think I ever wanted to be a television presenter, although maybe a teacher isn’t so different from a children’s tv presenter?
I don’t think you could wish for anything more for your children than you have above; to be happy, loved and fulfilled are perfect aspirations.
Is it boring that the only thing I ever wanted to be was a teacher?
It’s funny – because we know we have to support our children in the choices they’re going to make in the future – but what if we don’t agree with them?
No not at all – afterall you followed your dream and made it happen!
I know I said that to Emily below – its going to be hard when we can see something is a mistake or we don’t agree. But I guess we have the foresight of experience on out side and our kids have to go thought the rough and the smooth don’t they? So much still to come xx
No both jobs require entertaining and teaching children!!
I think they are worthy aspirations aswell. X
Wow I bet you’d have been a fab TV presenter. I’m loving reading about what everyone wanted to be when they were younger. And so true for your boys; I think that’s what every parent wishes for their children – health and happiness.
I’m sorry you didn’t make it in your career as a TV Presenter…but just imagine if you did? You wouldn’t be the same person you are today with 2 lovely boys! Everything happens for a reason my dear! xx
love this! I had lofty dreams too..I want to be a writer. That could still happen, I’m trying to make it happen.
I used to want to be a Blue Peter presenter too. In fact I sort of still do! I used to present television programmes into my mirror growing up.
But, like you, I’ve found mummying to be the best job ever………….. if only it paid better!