I agree that I'd rather my kids have a passion for something, but I also think about the things I love now and how NOT on my radar screen they were for most of my at-home years. I love gardening now--as a kid, I would have been appalled by this boring idea. The work I do as an educator wasn't something I could visualize when I was a kid. A lot of the people who were really into sports, theatre, community service, etc, just seemed so much better/more experienced than I was that it was intimidating. But I think I'm a pretty fine and happy adult. So again, while I get where you're coming from, his situation is not the kiss of death-train to an unhappy life

He sounds totally normal!!

Anonymous wrote:As a manager, let me assure you that your son’s emotional intelligence will take him farther than many people’s passions. He’ll do great. I work with a couple of people who are gifted but totally held back by their lack of self-knowledge or basic interpersonal skills.

Thank you - that's very reassuring.

- OP

As a manager, let me assure you that your son’s emotional intelligence will take him farther than many people’s passions. He’ll do great. I work with a couple of people who are gifted but totally held back by their lack of self-knowledge or basic interpersonal skills.

All I did through high school was read, do a little knitting, read, and work on jigsaw puzzles. Worked over the summer. I was fairly content. Had very few friends--they liked to party and try on makeup and hang out with boys, who scared me...I went to a second-tier college and discovered, during junior year abroad, that I loved to travel. Have worked in the travel industry ever since, happily. I'd ease up if he seems fairly content, doesn't abuse drugs or alcohol, joins you for dinner, and keeps a B average. He will feel any anxiety on your part, and that might exacerbate his anxiety that he needs to be passionate about something.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s normal. I magically found my passion in the workplace at nearly 30. I had an undergrad degree in engineering and an MBA by then. He’ll keep moving. He may not be “interested” in any of it, but it’s fine.

Business Administration is a really good catch all degree.

PS - I was alwwys interested in not being poor so I have always had a well paying job with insurance and benefits.

That’s a sad childhood goal.

First, the utter privilege in this statement is breathtaking.

Second, it was tongue-in-cheek, as it’s fairly clear that the OP is concerned about her son’s prospects as she mentioned majors and colleges.

Does he see his friends in person? It's possible his "passion" is being around other people and socializing. That sounds like a useless passion but in the end building and forming relationships makes for an extremely happy life.