I barely finished year 10

Where we were years ago and what our family looks like - and does - now.

I thought about all the advice I've been given over the years.

All the (well meaning) "You should" and "why don't you" comments.

As an exercise I ran back as far as I could remember and played a game. If I took "the worlds" advice, what would I be doing?

I ended up at the point that I'd be in academia.

When I left school at the end of year 10 (couldn't wait to get out) I got all the comments.

"What a waste"

"Working isn't as great as you think"

"Year 12 would benefit you so much, then you could go to university!"

I think if we follow the logical conclusion, if I had followed that mainstream well meaning advice - and continued to follow it - I would have inevitably ended up in something academic/bureaucratic/ maybe political.

I never heard anyone encourage agriculture as a career choice - not that I would listened at the time. In a careers style class (maybe year 8 or 9) the teacher asked what I was going to do.

"Work with dad" (family owned retail stores)

The teacher wouldn't accept it as a valid answer so asked me my interests. I said I loved animals.

They encouraged me to strive towards becoming a veterinarian. Not even a mention of farming, productive or agriculture at all.

Mrs W and I were talking last night. Hardly any of our school peers have children - I can't think of any of my male peers that have more than 1.

Obviously we have chosen the path less traveled, and our continuously stretched, challenged and delighted in our little family unit.

What are you going to encourage your children to do?