As a parent, it’s hard NOT to steer your children toward a career path. However, it IS our job to introduce them to new ideas, give them a solid foundation then let them decide for themselves. Some kids are born with the desire to be a doctor at age 5; others get through years of school only to find that the job wasn’t what they thought it was and go back to school for something entirely different.

By moving back to the farm, I hope to have a little influence on our son’s passion for agriculture. Whether it be farming or ranching or cowboying, as long as he knows where his food comes from and appreciates agriculture, that’s fine by me.

We took him to a rodeo in Kansas a couple weekends ago and he LOVED bull riding. Now here’s the caveat about me loving rodeos: I love the dirt, the boots, the horses, the smell, the calves and the people. But the one thing that scares me about rodeos is bull riding! I enjoy it as a spectator but talk about an adrenaline rush knowing that someone’s son just sat down on a 2,000-pound pile of rage and muscle! That’s enough to give any mom the hand sweats.

And maybe that’s something a woman can’t understand – a man’s desire to conquer the great beast – to battle the fiercest warrior and win. And if that’s what my son decides to do, I guess I’ll have to learn to be a better spectator.

I personally think trail riding with horses sounds much more enjoyable, but then again, I’m his mom.

Until we walk again …