My wife and I are going to have a baby soon and she thinks we should start putting money away for his education. We both have lucrative careers, but I don't agree with the idea. I worked my way through college and med school and feel like I appreciate it more having worked for it. I don't want my children to go without, and they won't, but I don't feel the need to pay for their educations in the future. Is this selfish, or does anyone else agree with me?
2007-06-11 09:16:45 · 11 answers · asked by Yogi 6 in Family & Relationships ➔ Marriage & Divorce
I feel that there could be a compromise....save some for their college but make sure that your children have to support themselves and pay for at least 50% of their education.
I could not afford to help my son through college and I felt horrible at first but he has developed into such a fine young man with discipline and an appreciation of what it took to get where he is today!
You're on the right track Dad!! Congrats on your new little blessing!!
2007-06-11 09:23:53 · answer #1 · answered by Buff 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
OK, I have been guilty from Pre-K...my daughter has been in private school. Which is a choice I made, seeing the degrading public school system. She is now 13, with all the work and time it takes just to do her homework, all the extra activities that colleges look for, church, time for friends and family, I'm not going to maker her work through school. Mainly because I had to do that, and still ended up with Student Loans. I'm not talking about writing an open ended check here, they need to learn to live on a budget, manage finances, getting an intership during the summer, sometimes paid to me is a better alternative. If you teach your children to appreciate a dollar and to appreciate what they have, I don't think paying for their education is a bad thing. I've already paid for college at least once, but I'd do it all over again.
2007-06-11 09:29:34 · answer #2 · answered by akr_tx 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well I both agree and disagree. I put myself through school too, late by the way because I got pregnant at 17. But I did it and it tough me a lot. But I also want better for my kids, I don't want them to have to know that kind of struggle, so I've provided for their educations (I work at a major university and because of that their educations are free anyway). If you want your children to learn values, then make them work for their allowance. Make them do chores and when they turn 15 make them have jobs and even before that they can do a paper route or cut grass. I mean I hear where you are coming from, but by the time your child is ready for college it may be so unattainably expensive, you might as well put it away now and pay his tuition but make him work for spending money and money for books, etc. Good luck and congratulations on the baby!
2007-06-11 09:40:05 · answer #3 · answered by Brandy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would set the money aside just in case, but just not discuss it with the child. When the time comes and the kid might need a little cash for books or lab fees that they didn't expect the money would be there.
As for raising a independent person who is able to work their way through college you are on your own. I'm still working on that myself.
2007-06-11 10:16:22 · answer #4 · answered by snack_daddy10 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah YOU worked your way through college, but, by the time YOUR child will be in college tuition will have increased times 10 and scholarships are few and far between, sure the kid could get a student loan but now the lenders are demanding repayment of the full loan within a year of graduation and let us not forget the cost of books going up as well.
Yeah you're being quite selfish because you could wind up hindring your child's education and therefore employability as well.
2007-06-11 09:42:50 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
I agree with both of you. Putting a little away would be good but you also have to remind them that they need to work hard to get a scholarship. You dont have to tell them about the money. Save it up and if you think they deserve it and need a little extra then you will have it.
2007-06-11 09:22:50 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Good for you! I agree. You want to give your children the hunger to be successful. A free hand-out does not produce that.
2007-06-11 10:03:24 · answer #7 · answered by Sondra 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think that a little money saved for a childs education helps a lot because i dont think that you will want to be in debt with loans?
2007-06-11 11:06:49 · answer #8 · answered by Lovable ♥♥♥ 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
My husband and I have the EXACT same discussion. I worked my through also, so I feel like you do. He's on your wife's side.
2007-06-11 09:20:49 · answer #9 · answered by Magaroni 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes! I would & will be paying for my children's education, but that's just me.
2007-06-11 09:21:59 · answer #10 · answered by WhyNotMe 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋