Parents: What's more important, being there for your kids or providing?

Question

Should parents provide college tuition, good education, financial needs, or not miss the pee wee baseball game.

Two schools here: One is be there for your kids needs emotionally or financially?

Answer 1

In part you kind of have to do both. I mean you have to be there emotionally, and attend all their events. You want them to feel comforted and special. But you have to help them financially. Just a little. College....they can always get scholarships or financial aid. Money isn't everything.

Answer 2

Providing emotional support is far more important. Although I am trying to do both for my kids. This means 4 - 5 hours of sleep a night, juggling side jobs, coaching soccer, helping with school work, reading before bed, but my kids are worth it. I had to work two jobs to put myself through college, and this meant far less time studying than was required to get the most out of it. I hope to be able to provide the emotional foundation for each of my children to be model students, as well as to provide the financial support required for tuition.

Answer 3

Balance in all things.

You need to provide both financially as well as emotionally for your kids. Personally, I lean towards just being there as generally more important. However, there are times when there is no choice but to miss the baseball game for business reasons. As long as it is the exception rather than the rule your kids will understand if you explain it to them.

Bottom line: You can always create new business opportunities. However, you only have one shot at your kids childhood.

Answer 4

Both. Try to balance the time and effort you devote to the two. You may go to all his baseball games, but that won't stop him from complaining about not having the latest gadget on the shelf and make him feeling lonely while all other kids talk about it.
However, in the long run, I think, you can concentrate on education and tuition, children have ways for dealing with lack of parent attention without necessarily leading to schizophrenia or suicidal attempts.

Answer 5

I think what is most important is finding a balance in both. Make sure your children are financially cared for as far as their needs, and if possible provide things like college tuition without sacrificing being there for them emotionally.

Answer 6

I think that they are equally important and depending on the situation one comes before the other. I don't think that you need to be at every game to emotionally be there for your kids, but you do need to show interest in what they are doing and what they have accomplished. Just ask them how it went and maybe help them practice when you have the free time. Providing financially for them is a must.

Answer 7

I've got to think emotionally is more important. I quit my job to raise my kids without using daycare. My husband works and earns enough for us to live. We aren't currently saving much for college - hopefully they'll get scholarships. I would immediately return to work if I felt a financial strain. But, if we can afford to have me at home until they're all in school, that's the choice we'll make. We've definately chosen to be with the kids rather than saving for financial support.

Answer 8

Tuition out of the mix, They're one and the same. Being there for your kids means educating and disciplining them, but also making sure they get what they need.

On the grounds you asked, though, emotionally all the way. Kids who only get financial support will only continue the trend.

Answer 9

I think the important thing is the emotional stuff. Yes you have to provide for their day to day needs so work, but how many spoiled rich kids do you see that never see their parents. I bet if you sat them down they would tell you theyd rather have had more time with their parents than a paid tuition to school

Answer 10

I think the child should help work pay for the schooling, so I say emotionally being there for your children is far better. You may not have all the money in the world, you can always work on doing better yourself... but if you give the child the essentials to live, and better, the love and support they need, then I feel that's the best. Money isn't everything, but love is.

"Live, Love, Laugh"