I tell my kids to do well in school because they will need to support themselves after college. I want them to get loans in college even though we’ll probably pay it off for them once they complete. I don’t put in place an unnecessary expectation for them to get into a top college, but I inform them it would better their chances at getting a good job to support themselves. I hope they learn not to take anything for granted and value education and money. Maybe they’ll even set goals for themselves. There are things that are so important that can’t be taught in school and classes.
My parents set 0 expectations and paid for everything even college. Money to me was swiping a credit card I know my parents will pay. In college I could easily have crashed and burned. School and learning was never fun for me until I took a Comp. Sci. course which changed everything. Founding something the child is passionate about is fundamental, something he wants to excel in, not just a subject that will make $$, forced to spend time learning and doing. That is my story. I also have cousins who were in the same situation. My aunts and uncles did not teach them the right values in regards to money and spending only put in the expectation for them to go to college. 3 out of 4 crashed and burned. 1 out of 4 barely made it. 1 of the 4 that dropped out of college is now in SF Academy of Arts after 6 yr break because he finally found his passion. He’s doing very well.
Not saying that it’ll work on every child, not even sure if it’ll work on my own kids, but from my past experiences and knowledge, I’m letting my kids know they need to be independent and make their own living. Meanwhile, I will try my very best to help them find a career that they will love.