Most parents want the best for their children and want their children to do as well as they possibly can. If your child has not been doing as well as they could on the career front, what they could need is a little bit of encouragement. When you want to get your grown child to do a little better, you have to tread carefully. You want to make sure that they understand that you on their side and only want better for them. Here are some dos and don'ts of getting your child to live up to their employment potential. 

Don't demean their current position

One of the top ways to turn your child off to listening to you is to demean what they are currently doing. Even if your child doesn't like their job, they may feel defensive if they think you are attacking them for not doing better. Instead, approach your child with an open discussion. Ask what their ultimate goal is and what steps they want to take to accomplish this. 

Do help them find better options

Asking your child to do better means that you need to be able to point them in the right direction. Ask around to family, friends, and business contacts to find someone who may be able to offer your child a job or internship. Look for employment agencies or temp agencies who may be able to offer temporary jobs for your child to get their foot in the door. If your child knows that you have been proactive to help them find a better position, they may be more willing to accept the help and the job. 

Don't forget to take their goals into consideration

The push and pull of a parent trying to change their child's career is almost never easy. Many children want their parents to allow them to make their own path as far as employment and career field. If your child has been firm about what career they would prefer to go in and they have started taking steps towards this career, take their goals into consideration. Instead of trying to force them onto a different path, look for careers that are stable and have a positive growth outlook in their career field. 

Do remind them of goals other than career

When your child selects a career, they may not be thinking about the life that they need to build around it. For instance, your child may want a career path that will require up to 60 hours a week to build, but may also want a large family. Help your child step back and look at the bigger picture before selecting a career path with finality. 

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