"Ahora creo que es una de las preguntas más inútiles que un adulto puede hacerle a un niño ¿Qué quieres ser cuando crezcas? Como si crecer fuera algo finito. Como si en algún momento te convirtieras en algo y eso fuera el final."

Asking kids what they want to be when they grow up is kind of odd when you really think about it. It's like suggesting that there's this magical moment when they'll suddenly become something and stay that way forever. But life doesn't work like that, does it?

Let's break it down. The core idea here is that growing up isn't a one-time event. It's not like you reach a certain age and boom, you've arrived. Life is a continuous journey, and we're always evolving, learning, and changing. The question implies that there's an end point, a final destination, when in reality, we're constantly becoming new versions of ourselves.

Historically, this question might have made more sense in times when career paths were more linear. Think about the 1950s or 60s when people often had one job for life. Asking a child what they wanted to be was almost like helping them pick which lane to get into early. But these days, the job market and the world are way more fluid. People change careers multiple times, and new professions pop up all the time. The context has shifted, making the question a bit outdated.

Imagine your friend Jane. She grew up wanting to be a doctor. She worked hard, got into med school, and became a pediatrician. But after a few years, she felt a pull towards something different—public health. She didn't see it coming as a kid, but it just happened. So, she shifted gears and now works for an international health organization, traveling the world and making a huge impact. Jane's story shows that you don’t just become something and stop. You keep becoming.

So, how can you apply this idea in real life? Start by asking kids—and adults—different questions. Instead of "What do you want to be when you grow up?" try "What are you excited about right now?" or "What problems do you want to solve?" These questions open up possibilities and encourage thinking about passions and interests rather than locking into a specific role.

For a relatable scenario, imagine you're talking to your niece, Emma. She's ten and brimming with curiosity. Instead of the typical grown-up question, you ask her, "What’s something new you tried recently?" Emma’s face lights up as she tells you about her latest experiment building a robot from a kit. She’s not just thinking about a job; she’s exploring her interests. This approach makes the conversation more engaging and meaningful, showing her that it's okay to be curious and open to change.

To wrap it up, let's embrace the idea that growing up is a never-ending process. We’re all works in progress, constantly adapting and evolving. By shifting the questions we ask, we can help foster a mindset that values growth and change over a fixed end goal. So next time you’re tempted to ask a kid what they want to be when they grow up, think twice and maybe ask something that sparks a deeper conversation.