LIKE father, like son or like mother, like daughter - these sentiments are often expressed with great pride and joy.
Children look and act like their parents and want to be like them some day.
One of the greatest rewards of parenthood must be seeing your children follow in your footsteps.
Watching them walk down the same path you once went along, enjoying the same experiences and seeing them pursue what you do now must be a wonderful feeling.
Parents are delighted and honoured when their children seek to imitate them, to follow them into the same profession.
Just a few weeks ago in church, my children were asked what they wanted to be when they grow up.
My youngest son quickly replied, 'a doctor', which came as no surprise after the numerous episodes of Doc McStuffins he has watched.
The football-mad middle son's answer of his plan to become a Premiership footballer was no big shock either.
But it was my eldest son's answer that surprised me the most, when he shyly responded, 'maybe a writer like my mum'.
I've often wondered if any of my children would follow in my footsteps, would they develop a love of writing just like me?
It got me thinking about how often a child actually follows a parent into the same profession?
It seems to be common enough among famous actors and singers. Take Angelina Jolie and Kate Hudson for example, or what about Miley Cyrus, daughter of Billy Ray.
But then again, can it be just as rewarding for a parent to see their child carve out their own path?
It appears that not as many children are taking the same routes of their parents and are in fact often purposefully choosing a different journey in life.
According to research, just seven per cent of children end up in the same job as their mum or dad.
Indeed, kids are apparently three times more likely to choose a different career from their parents.
Compare this to the Victorian era, when nearly half of children followed in their parents' footsteps, and it clearly shows how things have changed so dramatically over the years.
We as parents have a strong influence on what our children become in the future, be it the genes or the environment we raise them in.
But we need to realise that our kids should make their own decisions in life, choosing the path they want to go down and not the one you may want to push them along.
Like most parents, I hope that my children will be successful in whatever they want to do someday.
My wish for them is to enjoy what they do, just as I do.
But most of all, I want them to be happy.
So when my son made that bold statement about becoming a writer, while it made me smile, I am keenly aware that he should be able to go on his own journey - without me - and make his own footprint on the world.
Over the past 10 months my columns have often featured my hopes and dreams for my three children.
I have recalled my highs, my lows and all the rest in between, my family life, trips away and special events.
But today, this column marks the end of this chapter of my ramblings and I must bid you farewell as I welcome my colleague Marie Louise McConville back to this Friday slot.
And while this may have come to an end for now, I finish with warm memories of a wonderful, challenging and educational journey that I have been on and enjoyed immensely.
I've had the enormous pleasure of sharing my ideas, developing a voice of my own and appreciated the opportunity to stimulate debate on topics that I felt were important. It was also great to get lots of feedback from readers and thanks to all you who have tweeted, emailed and entered my competitions.
As the saying goes, 'it's time to say goodbye, but I think goodbyes are sad and I'd much rather say hello. Hello to a new adventure'.
So until next time....
