While my kids are still very young, part of being a parent is thinking ahead. I hope that my boys will want to go to college, and while my first won’t be choosing a school for twelve years, it’s certainly not too early to be considering his options and working his, as well as his brothers’, future tuition into our budget.
Not only will I be paying for three children to go to school, but they’re so close in age, for one year, all three will be in college at the same time. The thought of college tuition, plus dorms, meal plans, books and all the other expenses leaves my mind tangled in knots and bank account weeping…and hungry.
I’ve always envisioned driving my boys to some college campus, bawling my eyes out and settling them into dorm rooms with the best plastic furniture sets money can buy.
Still, I’m not opposed to other options like a community or online college. These are obviously easier on the budget, just considering the savings on room and board alone.
Community colleges offer a blend of both worlds. Kids still have a good taste of the college experience without having to live away from home. They attend classes, meet with professors face-to-face, do group projects with other students and can enjoy the extracurricular activities that the college experience offers.
I hadn’t really considered online college as an option for my kids until recently. I’ve looked into them for myself, but I never thought about them for my children. Duh.
With an online school, I’d save cash, my boys would be able to work with flexible hours, have resources and classroom access 24 hours per day, and (insert evil mom grin here) they’d be right here at home. What mom could resist that package?
If only the choice was all up to me. (Sigh.)
Unfortunately for my heart, my boys are their own people and this is a decision that my husband and I will guide each of our sons through when his time comes. Budget and my peace-of-mind aren’t the only considerations when choosing the right educations for our children.
We also have to keep in mind how well our sons work independently, what programs they are interested in and the careers they plan on pursuing. Also, attending college away from home offers a unique sneak-peek into adulthood with some oversight and guidance (from a distance) from his parents. All these variables factor into choosing the right schools for my kids.
Whether my boys choose to pursue their degrees online, at community colleges or on traditional university campuses, we plan to support their informed decisions and have started saving already. At this point, we’re not as interested in which route they take as we are in doing our part to provide them with the means to follow their dreams and get the educations they want and deserve.
Disclaimer: I am participating in the Mom Blogger Online College Campaign organized by American Muslim Mom. I received compensation to facilitate this post. However, the views and opinions are my own.
Photo: flickr.com/photos/dags1974/1633928535
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Another great post Jessi!
I went on the emotional trip with you in reading it, agree that OhMi, I too will have 3-girls in college at the same time so “hello–money” (I’ve always known they’ll be together, but didn’t think of the costs-like duh) and shared in the evil mom grin and sigh.
You are truly a gifted writer.
Ummmm…wow. Kudos to you for thinking about this so early. We’re saving for sure…but actively *thinking* and *planning* for it? Not so much.
What a wonderful topic, I wish I had planned ahead for my children’s college finances. My parent’s didn’t, I thought about it but didn’t make a big enough effort, and now the stress of poor planning is on both us as parents and the children.
I now realize that even a couple of bucks a month on a regular basis from the beginning would have made a big difference.
If you have little one’s – Don’t procrastinate this! Start now and start with what you have even if it’s only $5 a month. Habits build and grow.
ouchy mama. planning for college is hard. when the first one goes you will cry. its ok. been there. start saving now, though, cuz it will come!