What do I tell my kids??

bubbly · Nov 13, 2007

Ok, just FYI, boys and girls that age are very sexist LOL. It's just their nature and limited understanding of the world. Like other posts mention, they would think it's odd to see a male teacher or perhaps a female cop. Of course it's sad to see your children get teased by classmates on what you all take pride in being a nurse. Just teach your children that other people's comments shouldn't affect them, especially by not letting that comment affect you. Children that age always find something to tease others about. Hopefully when those kids grow up, they will appreciate the role of nurses and see more men in that field. :)

Huan · Nov 16, 2007

Hi everyone, I am a new nursing student and new to the website. I recently took the educational buy-out from Ford Motor Company and am following in the footsteps of my biggest idol...my wife. Not long ago my two children (girls, 6 & 7) told me that they mentioned to a few of their friends at school that I was a nurse and they laughed and teased them. Now, I have no problems being teased about my new profession (actually quite proud of it) but I hate that my two little girls have to feel the reprecussions of my career choice. Any ideas on what I should have my children say in response, because I am sure that it wont be the last time. And remember, they are just 6 year olds. Thanks alot

Career Day sounds good. While your there you might talk about career fields that male nurses participate in like CSAR (Combat Search and Rescue). I retired from an Air Force CSAR unit where an RN degree was a ticket to a lot of interesting experiences. There are a bunch of other interesting vocations for male RN's (flight nursing, emergency room, O.R. and so on).

nurz2be · Nov 16, 2007

Hi everyone, I am a new nursing student and new to the website. I recently took the educational buy-out from Ford Motor Company and am following in the footsteps of my biggest idol...my wife. Not long ago my two children (girls, 6 & 7) told me that they mentioned to a few of their friends at school that I was a nurse and they laughed and teased them. Now, I have no problems being teased about my new profession (actually quite proud of it) but I hate that my two little girls have to feel the reprecussions of my career choice. Any ideas on what I should have my children say in response, because I am sure that it wont be the last time. And remember, they are just 6 year olds. Thanks alot

You might could consider inviting your daughters friends to a work day at your job to see that nurses help people, not that I would show kids that young the gore that nurses see. Especially if there are other male nurses in your area of work. Have them say, "my dad saves lives." Have them say, "my dad helps people who are sick." Have them say, "if your dad stops breathing, my dad can fix him." (Just kidding about the last one). Kids are cruel.... past, present, and future. This is the time when they either get a strong backbone or walk through life with a crutch....Make em tough daddy....

frail316 · Dec 2, 2007

Yours is a perfect example of a situation that I am not looking forward to experience in my future. I guess its most important to know that its not the convincing of the other kids that is important here since there really is no solution to it for kids at that young of an age. Remember that the focus should be on grounding your kids in having confidence in you in your profession. Once they ABSOLUTELY believe that there is nothing wrong with daddy being a nurse, then everything should fall in place. Yea, there will be some ridiculing no matter how much your kids defend you, but it does give your kids a GREAT lesson in life. There is no need for apologies. If anything, tell your kids that anyone that makes fun is just jealous of not being able to be as "smart" (understanding) as your kids are. hehe lets try to avoid any hostility while we're at it. Please keep me posted on your situation as things happen b/c i would love to hear more input in this area. THANKS FOR YOUR GREAT POST!!!

dna4906 · Jan 8, 2008

I'd say do what I did. Find out when career day is at your children's school and be sure to go. Teach all of the kids about the rich history of men in nursing and about how men use to provide all nursing care and the fact that the first nursing school was for men only. Johnson & Johnson has a great coloring book called "you can be a nurse." It is free and they will ship to you, free of charge, large quantities. I ordered 110 of them for my son's career day! Kids can be mean; so, it is important to teach this to your children, but maybe by educating the whole class about what nursing really is then maybe it will not be a problem. Who knows maybe one of the little boys in the class will grow up to be a nurse!!!

thanks of the referral about the coloring books! that will be perfect for my teaching project in peds class!!

jackson145 · Jan 8, 2008

When my husband was still a cop, my daughter always lied about what her Dad did to the other kids. He had arrested several of their parents and they had adopted the "cops are scum" attitude that their folks had taught them. Kids are cruel and there's no way to get around it. I've found that the ones who tease have parents at home who are demonstrating these poor behaviors and attitudes.

Sometimes a little omission will keep problems from occuring.

Now that she's older, it's no problem to say that her Dad is a nurse. Even if the kids tease a little (they're older and a little more mature now) it's still not as bad as some of the violent reactions you get when you've got a cop in the family.

sbachof · Jan 9, 2008

I always tell people that i chose nursing over MD because i dont like being bored!!! Nurses have more fun!!