Helping Your Child With Her College Decision

Become an A+ Mom

When you hold your newborn baby for the first time, it's hard to imagine her all grown up and ready to face the world on her own. But over the next 18 years or so, your job is to get her there. Of course, you don't have to do it alone. Review this guide to the stages of motherhood as it relates to college readiness, and prepare for each step of the challenging and rewarding road ahead.

Moms of infants: Make a financial investment
One of the first ways you can put your child on the path to college is to begin setting aside money for her education. Many new parents start 529 college savings plans for their children; others open individual savings accounts with funds earmarked for college. The sooner you start saving, the less overwhelming the costs will be when college finally comes.

Moms of toddlers and preschoolers: Take advantage of teaching moments
As a toddler, your child is learning to recognize colors and shapes, letters and numbers. It's the beginning of a lifetime of education, and the time you spend with her now affects her overall outlook on learning. Trips to the supermarket teach lessons on nutrition and money management, and sorting laundry provides instruction in key mathematical concepts. Every moment is a teaching moment, especially during the first five years of life.

Moms of elementary schoolers: Give your child a vision for the future
As you watch your child grow, note her strengths and weaknesses, her passions and pastimes. Because you're a mom, you're in a unique position to share your observations with your child and help shape who she will become. Nurture her natural talents, and allow her to take part in activities that she finds challenging. Building upon your child's strengths in these fundamental years will give her a better sense of herself and what she is capable of.

Moms of middle and high schoolers: Offer guidance on important decisions
Your baby is gone, and in her place is a beautiful young person who carries all your hopes and dreams. Now is the time to help your child narrow down some of her interests and pinpoint possible career paths. Visit different colleges to get a sense of where she might fit into the campus community. This is your opportunity to continue to walk beside her, providing guidance and insight into where she can best flourish and mature into a strong, caring adult.

On the day she leaves for college, you can be confident that you've given her the best gift to prepare her for this moment: you've given her the gift of herself. Knowing that, she will soar.

by Robyn Tellefsen

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