I’ve got three intelligent kids with different personalities. Like many parents, I’ve thought a lot about sending them to college-besides the tuition.

My First Idea

I want my kids to live full, healthy and happy lives. I want them to find a career they love and pursue it. This usually includes college, and when the discussions started some time ago, I let them know that all of them would be going.

I explained that college is not cheap, that since they’re so close in age and that Dad and I are not millionaires (at least not yet), they will have to work, get grants, scholarships or something similar.

I took out student loans, but I’d rather my kids not do so because the rates are outrageous and I am still paying them off. It was well worth it because I have had a great career.

Changing My Mind

Julian is not a fan of school. He’s in the 7th grade and while he doesn’t protest going, he isn’t the most excited about it. He does his work, isn’t disruptive or aggressive, and tries his best. These factors are the most important to me, considering his diagnoses.

He told me that he doesn’t want to go to college. He just wants to finish high school, get a job similar to his dad’s and live a quiet life with his cat. (He knows Tails won’t live forever, so he plans to get a new cat once Tails leaves us.)

I’m okay with this. I told him that if he finds a job that he likes, it’s legal and pays his bills, I’m good. Matthew is a delivery driver for a local company and Julian is fascinated by what he does.

Our school system has programs for kids that don’t want to go to college because college isn’t for everyone. There’s even a heavy machinery program that might be the program for him. Julian’s always been into taking things apart.

Cameron applied for a high school that has an auto collision program, and the other has a patient technician program that he’s interested in. We will find out in March or April where he’s been accepted.

The Final Theory

Thanks to Julian, that new theory has spread to all three kids. I’m not entirely sure where Cameron stands on college. He’s nervous about high school. Most kids are, so we have talked about a few things.

Lily has talked about becoming a paleontologist, and that requires a lot of colleges. She loves history, so even if that isn’t her final decision, I can see her doing something in that field.

College is a difficult topic without trying to force it upon your child, so I think I have it handled.

Probably. For now, at least.

This might change next week, so stay tuned.

What are your thoughts on sending your children to college? How do they feel about it? Share your thoughts in the comments!