When I was about six months pregnant with Mimi, I had a dream that she was going to be a singer. Not just a regular old karaoke-type singer. I mean a Broadway star with a hauntingly beautiful voice.
The dream was so vivid and real that it actually gave me chills when I woke up. I told Dr. G. about the dream and joked that maybe we had a future songstress on our hands. I coyly suggested that maybe my dream was a bit of mother’s intuition, a harbinger of things to come. Or maybe I had suddenly become clairvoyant (in which case, why wasn’t I playing the lottery?!).
Now, I did watch a lot of Glee when I was pregnant, so perhaps that seeped into my subconscious, made me think I was carrying the next Lea Michele. But I don’t know. I can’t describe it, but the dream felt different, if that makes sense.
Fast forward about two years. Okay, I may be a bit biased when I say this, but Mimi has a thing for music. The girl likes to sing. For months now, she’ll belt out songs, and even though the words are typical toddler gobbledy-gook, you can tell from the tune (and the odd word that you can pick out) what it is that she’s singing. “Twinkle, Twinke.” “Baby Beluga.” “Old MacDonald.”
Yesterday morning, I caught her playing on this toy piano in the playroom and it stopped me in my tracks. When Buddy would play on the same piano, he’d bang away ferociously on the keys, probably just trying to hit them as hard as he could. Maybe it’s simply because she’s a girl, but Mimi, on the other hand, was more measured and calculated as she hit the keys, and I swear it almost sounded melodic.
Yes, I know I’m probably reading too much into it, given my dream, but it was lovely to listen to either way.
When it comes to my son, I go back and forth on what I picture him doing when he’s “all grown up.” I definitely think he inherited his father’s analytical skills. As I’ve mentioned before, the kid can built crazy complex Lego structures, whether it’s a Star Wars X-Wing Starfighter or a Tyrannosaurus Rex. So maybe a career in engineering or architecture is in his future? Although these days he says he wants to be a paleontologist.
However, we have the other side of his personality, the “Mr. Mayor,” as he was nicknamed as a toddler. The boy who talks so easily to strangers, who greets everyone who crosses his path. If there is an audience, I can guarantee my son will be front and center, hamming it up.
I still remember his daycare Christmas concert a few years ago. He was about four at the time and goofing around with his pals before the show started. And then, as the room started to quiet down in anticipation of the show, my son – in a loud, clear voice – yelled, “Tinkle! Fart! Poop!”
All the kids around him laughed and he grinned, quite pleased at himself, as I cringed in my seat – but secretly delighted at his obvious lack of stage fright and ability to command a room.
We experienced a similar incident at his pre-K graduation last year. As the kids were singing their carefully selected songs about colors and letters, there’s my son, exaggerating his facial expressions like a mime, then throwing his hands up dramatically when the song ended and taking a long, deep bow.
I think I literally had not one, but three random people comment to me, “That kid is going to be an actor!”
Oh my.
It’s fun and scary and bittersweet and exciting to think about your children as adults. Obviously, we want our children to be happy and healthy, kind and loving … that goes without saying. But am I the only one who sometimes dreams about the future, trying to imagine what they might be doing? Does anyone else read into use their children’s emerging personalities and interests as a possible glimpse into their future lives?
P.S. To demonstrate my son’s love of entertaining, here’s a video of him a few years ago singing a very dramatic rendition of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.” Excuse the band-aid; he’d recently had five stitches. Enjoy 🙂
melissa at filling our bucket says
I totally do this. As fanatic baseball fans, my husband and I of course have dreams of our son being a baseball star. He’s a little guy, so we joke that he will be the next Dustin Pedroia. 😉
But he also has a thing for music. I am a big believer in the importance of music in our lives, so I always have it on. When I was pregnant and we would go to Mass, he would kick and move around any time we were singing. And now, he has a small toy piano that – like your daughter – he plays very deliberately. There is no banging the keys, it is very measured and specific. I also have dreams of him one day playing the piano, as I did, and this natural love of music that he seems to have thrills me.
We’ll see. Right now, he is only 2. So it is hard to truly invision what he will be. But a baseball playing concert pianist wouldn’t be so bad. 😉
Jessica says
I love it! Such a Renaissance Man 🙂
Sarah {Soxys Diamond} says
I love this post and how you encourage your children and their creativity. I wonder if my parents ever had visions of what they thought I would be when I grew up? I am going to have to ask.
Jessica says
I know, it’s funny, I never thought to ask my parents that either! Hmm, maybe that will be a future post 😉
Heather @ Kraus House Mom says
If that’s the case, then watch out fashion world Stella-Blue is coming on the scene. That girl can put together quite the outfit and she keeps asking me to teach her to sew (she’s only 4).
Jessica says
Woo-hoo, I can’t wait to see what Miss Stella has in store 😉
Michele C. says
It is crazy to think about what they may become, where they may end up. My son (4.5) says he’s going to be an astronaut then a fireman. I’m totally down with that! My daughter (2.5) says she’s going to be a princess then a doctor. Also down with that. I just hope that no matter what they decide to be, they do it with their whole heart and know that I support them in all things. Growing up is scary – as much, if not more so, for the parents.
Jessica says
Absolutely, well-said 🙂 And I agree, it is sooo much more scary for us parents!
Joanna {Baby Gators Den} says
This is such a cool post! I always dream about what my kids will be. I can see my son being some type of entertainer– he loves to sing and dance. My Mom told me she always knew I would be in sales since I spoke to anyone and everyone! You’re a great Mom, can’t wait to see what your kids grow up to be!
Jessica says
Joanna, maybe our boys could take their show on the road 🙂
mel says
I love this post. I have no idea what my kids will be when they grow up but having two dentist parents, I hope they take something from that. But whatever they do, I will be happy for them. At this point, Hayley’s dream job is to be the tooth fairy.
Jessica says
I think the Tooth Fairy would be a pretty sweet gig 😉
Jennifer (Savor) says
I am convinced my son with win a dramatic actor Oscar some day……maybe your son will be the previous years winner and be present my son with his award some day??
Jessica says
Hmm, stranger things have happened … 🙂
candice says
At this very moment today, I am thinking G will be a dancer. She just loves to dance, tap dance especially. She is only 2, but she has got some moves. What a great post!
Jessica says
Thanks! Maybe G and Mimi will be on Broadway together 😉
Megan says
Aw I love this post! I haven’t really given much thought to what my kids will be when they grow up, but after reading this i’m contemplating. My son is still a baby so it’s hard to say, but my daughter is always very analytical and has a high level of concentration on tasks so I’m thinking something with numbers. (Which sounds boring to me, but my mathematician husband would love it, lol)
Jessica says
Ahh, so you’re married to a math/science guy, too! LOL
Chelley Martinka says
I am in love with your parenting! Knowing that kids are kids and sometimes what is embarrassing, or at least unnerving, is just their way of expression takes a lot of patience and understanding of the psychology of a child. It is SO awesome that you give them room and time to express themselves, nurturing and cultivating each interest.
Jessica says
You are so sweet, Chelley!! This means a lot, thank you 🙂
Shell says
I totally do this too! But more importantly, I think we are really just appreciating who are kids are and who they are becoming. It a gift to see their interests and feed them, and help them grow and learn more. Sounds like you are doing just that! 🙂
Dollops of Diane says
We joke that Isabelle will plan a bank heist, Daniel will be the muscles behind it, and Henry will be the poor sap who takes the fall for it! 🙂
Kristin Wheeler (Mama Luvs Books) says
How very cute! I remember changing my mind a bunch growing up and my kids do as well!