'I refuse to tell my kids they can be whatever they want in life - it's a flat-out lie'

When kids are young many parents out there will tell them to reach for the stars and that they can be anything they want to be if they put their mind to it.

But one mum has taken a slightly different tack for educating her kids as she feels that telling them they can be anything they want to be is only setting them up for failure and is just a flat out lie.

The woman explained that she prefers to say they can be anything they are capable of as this will stop them being getting their hopes too high for later life.

She says that this is setting them up for failure (stock photo) (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Taking to Mumsnet, the mum, who remained anonymous, explained: "Stop telling your children 'you can be or do anything you want to'.

"This is completely untrue and a flat out lie."

The woman went onto explain that she prefers the phrase 'you can be anything you are capable of' as this avoids their hopes getting too high.

She said: "A lot of parents today I've noticed fill their young minds with a cotton candy view of the world and then wonder why their kids feel unaccomplished or sad when they start reaching adulthood."

The mum is adamant in not stunting their ambition and curiosity but also wants them to remain realistic.

She explained: "I'm not saying that we should destroy the dreams of our kids but I'm absolutely in favour of not over-inflating a child's hopes to the point where they can't cope with any future failure.

"We should be realistic with children from a very young age and instead say things like "you can do so much" , "the future has so many possibilities for you" anything else besides the false promise of "you can be anything you want to be."

She feels this helps kids to understand that they have so much potential but there are often things we cannot control in life.

In response, many of the commenters largely agreed with her and said it is not wrong for kids to get a more realistic view of the world, while still remaining ambitious.

One person wrote: "I agree too. You can't do everything. I can train as hard as I want but I'll never run as fast as Paula Radcliffe!"

While another stated: "I totally agree with you 100 % per cent too, You obviously nailed it on the head."

Do you have a story to share? We want to hear all about it. Email yourmirror@mirror.co.uk.