We often remark and complain that many of our esteemed politicians only got to where they are on the coat-tails of their fathers before them. We seem to have a problem with it. However, politics is no different to any other profession. Farmers, teachers, doctors, butchers, undertakers, shopkeepers and even journalists mostly follow in the footsteps of their fathers. For at least one offspring in most families, it is as if they are born into a profession, their lives predestined and mapped out from the moment their father or grandfather starts working.

It is obvious in many cases too, that some children run a mile from these professions when they grow up, having experienced the hardship and stress first-hand.

And so here I am with a 10-year-old boy who asked me the other day if he could take over my job when I decide to retire. “Would you hold that job for me?”

I had to smile at his beautiful innocence: “I am not sure I can, son.”

I must have an easy job if a 10-year-old is interested in it!

On the odd Saturday, Patrick will rise early and come into RTÉ with me. I don’t see the attraction but he does. One day when he was off school, he came in and spent several hours with me, patiently observing as I edited and scripted in preparation for Saturday. Talk about watching paint dry. But as I went, he was asking questions and learning and trying to help out, eager to be part of it all.

Well, he got his break before Christmas when the boss of RTÉ Junior radio asked him if he would do a report for them. He interviewed the famous and genial Dublin tailor Louis Copeland about the art of making a suit. A simple concept but quite interesting, and it was heartening to see the enthusiasm on his face as I drove him into Louis’ Capel St shop to record the piece. Patrick was made up and it was played in class by his teacher.

But here is my point: thankfully, he is a great scholar and is doing very well in school. So there is hope that he might avoid the radio business by getting a real job when he finishes his studies.

You are right. I wouldn’t encourage my son to go into the precarious, generally poorly paid, despised and uncertain world of journalism. He is better than that. I wonder what other professions parents would not encourage their children to follow them into? What about farming? CL

What doesn’t kill you will make you stronger

Before Christmas, former CEO of Glanbia John Moloney was honoured when he was presented with the prestigious RDS gold medal. John has always struck me as a very down to earth, practical and friendly man. Glanbia would certainly not be the global success it is today without his expertise, his vision and his unwavering decision-making.

He gave a very frank and interesting interview on stage to Vincent Wall. In it, in reflecting on the impact of losing his young daughter to illness some years ago, he said: “What doesn’t kill you will make you stronger.”

It jumped out at me as a very simple but powerful adage, which I think every one of us should cling on to. Life is tough. None of us can claim to have a trouble-free or stress-free life. You won’t meet anyone today without a worry.

And so when we feel down, we should always remember that life’s troubles are manufactured to be tackled so as to make us stronger.

Let that be your mantra for 2017.