If you are new in the workforce, chances are good that your parents are offering you advice, some of it wanted and most of it, not so. After decade or two of attending games and recitals, it is only natural for ‘us’ to be involved in your worklife. Some of us even call your bosses, you know, just to see what we can do for you. I shit kid you not. We live to embarrass you so you have to be more direct with us.
I am offering you these suggestions-resolutions for your Mom. Maybe this short list will get her to realize that you are in charge of your own life now. Cut and paste these five resolutions on a new piece of paper and scotch tape it to the fridge, right next to the “My 8th Grader is a Bright Star” certificate from 1996.
“Mom, I need you to—
1. Chill a bit. I am not completely sure what I want to do with the rest of my life quite yet. I will figure it out. Just not by Friday. And tell Grandpa I am not going to med school.
2. Not call the HR department. I was only asking you for advice, there is no reason for you to call HR, ferchrissake. I can do it, really.
3. Not visit the office, every single week. Really, I love you and yes, I am proud of you, too. But one visit to my office is enough, really. My co-workers think you are a stalker.
4. Quit forwarding me all these self-help blog articles. Most are pure BS, and they don’t understand what I am going through anyway. I know you think they are clever. They aren’t. Plus, my cubicle partner reads my emails over my shoulder and gives me grief.
5. Not attend the company softball games. Mostly, I am playing just to drink beer and hang out (pick up girls). This is not high school, you don’t have to come watch me play co-ed softball.”
6 users commented in " Five Resolutions For Your Parents or, “Mom, I’m an Adult Now, Dammit.” "
Taping it to the fridge carries very little authority until you’ve moved out!
When I did contract recruitng for a large advertising firm here in Boston, I had the opportunity to experience helicopter parents first hand! I also had the opportunity to see woefully unprepared job seekers.
On January 18th and 19th, 2008, we’re holding a conference for new college grads, soon-to-be grads, and their parents about navigating the job market in 2008. http://www.MyCareerLaunchPad.com
And don’t worry, it includes what parents should do–and NOT do!
As a parent of recent college graduates, I am appalled at what I have read about ‘helicopter parents’. As the one who paid the bills, I do believe I should have been entitled to get the report cards. But that is about as far as that goes. But they graduated, so it’s all good.
But, finding a job, they were pretty much on their own. I did forward a resume once.
Appalled is the right word…maybe embarrassed fits too. Thanks, Andrew, for stopping by.
I have been visiting this site a lot lately, so i thought it is a good idea to show my appreciation with a comment.
Thanks,
Jim Mirkalami
PS: I am a single dad
[...] Five Resolutions for Your Parents or Mom I am an Adult Now. I can say stuff to your parents that you can’t. [...]
Leave A Reply