Sometimes Our Kids Do Listen

October 21, 2010

I received an email a few weeks back from my daughter letting me know she was both scared and excited because she was moving into her new apartment and also starting college.  I had mixed feelings when I read this –proud that my little girl was starting this new journey and sad that she was moving on and needing dad less.

But the part of her email that made me the most proud was how she talked about the way she was going to pay for her rent and school.  A little back story on this – I paid my way through college and my personal feeling is that having a vested interest in one’s education is a good thing.  So when it comes to helping my daughter pay for college, I want to see her foot the bill for a year or so before Bank of Dad kicks in.

So my daughter has gotten her first financial reality check as far as what things cost, but here is the part that really made me happy – she will continue to work through college and along with a scholarship she has a big portion paid for, but she still had to get a loan for a small amount.  All of this she did on her own without any assistance.

For me this was the culmination of all the talks (and actions) we have had regarding finances.  As a parent you always hope that your kids are listening but you just never know, until you get an email like the one I got.

Next for her?  Good grades equal financial assistance from Dad!