The Power of Paying Attention
Shelly Humbach • October 26, 2022
When my first child was born, in 1991, the circumstances were not as I imagined. Born at 29 weeks, she spent the first six weeks of her life in the NICU. One of the blessings that came from this experience was the pediatrician that we were referred to - one that specialized in the care of premature babies. Dr. Gordon Blakeman saved my little family in many ways and perhaps the most profound was that at every appointment, he asked a series of questions, and listened to the answers.
Do you have dinner together, as a family, and not in front of the TV (today that would include and without devices?)
- Do you read to your child?
- And later, does your child read to you?
These questions may seem basic and the answers may seem obvious. But are they? I urge you to get real with yourself. The world has become exceedingly digital (you know it’s true) and indeed this is good in many respects. But I will argue till I’m dead (and then I shall be the voice in my children’s head) that the act of paying attention, full, uninterrupted attention, to your child is the most powerful and everlasting gift you can give them.
And as this article below highlights, parenting teens is tough and when you lay a solid foundation and regularly practice focused communication it becomes bearable. The crowning jewel is when your adult children seek your company and time. The reciprocation is divine.
Wait for it……they should be having fun.
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Navigating Financial Aid can be a confusing process. Make sure you understand the financial terminology before entering the lengthy process of applying for scholarships and financial aid. Learn more in this comprehensive guide.
In the Spirit of - More College Admissions Fun - Let’s talk about Deferrals
Incredibly, another year has come and gone; another year of navigating life in the midst of Covid and now flu and RSV. Such fun. Thankfully, many high school seniors are still college bound. Here are three priority action items every parent or guardian should take long before their student launches. FAFSA and Net Price Calculators Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) . Even if you know or suspect your family will not qualify for federal aid, you should file the FAFSA. Why? ~In case circumstances change. Hello, pandemic. ~Just because parents weren’t eligible to receive financial aid one year doesn’t mean that they wouldn’t be eligible in a subsequent year, if their financial situation has changed. ~If you think you may require financial aid at any point in your child’s education. ~Anyone who expects to have more than one child in college simultaneously. Filing the FAFSA opens the door for all kinds of aid. Federal grants do not need to be repaid, federal student loans have low interest rates and work-study programs can be a convenient way to simultaneously fund an education and build a résumé. Complete the Net Price Calculator for each school on your student’s list. This calculator is found on every college website (search it). By providing personalized estimates, net price calculators offer a more informed way of deciding which colleges you can afford. Knowing your net price gives you the best idea of what you’ll pay for a particular college; makes comparing colleges easier; and widens your choice of colleges so you can focus on fit instead of price. Mental Health Care in College Make plans to have proper, sufficient and accessible mental health care support in place for your student before they leave for college. Let’s face it, the launch is just around the corner. Take advantage of the luxury of time and plan to have support firmly in place. Do not assume that colleges have the mental health care support your child may need. They are literally buckling under the weight of demand and negligible funding. Many times, care and support must be secured off-campus. Support Your Student Applying to college in 2022 is beastly and requires serious stamina and perseverance. College admissions deadlines are voluminous and fluid. The pandemic has wreaked all kinds of havoc on the process, requiring more diligence and follow through than ever before.
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The Legal Documents You Need Before Your Kid Leaves For College
Ron Lieber (He/Daddy/Abb ) nails it again with straight talk on transparency regarding the cost of college which at most institutions of higher learning continues to be coated in mud. Kudos to #muhlengerg , #whitman and #wooster for cost transparency and their pricing or merit-aid pre-read. I ask/cajole/push/pressure (call it what you want) parents to commit to asking the tough questions up front. Are you planning to purchase something (a degree) that may cost upwards of $80,000 per year? And don't you think it makes sense to know, to the extent you can, exactly how much this thing is going to cost? And isn’t it insane that colleges expect you to commit to purchasing this thing, without KNOWING HOW MUCH IT IS GOING TO COST? It is beyond time to demand that colleges use plain language, with clear definitions when it comes to college costs. To quote one of my favorite lines from a movie, Denzel Washington's character in the film, Philadelphia repeatedly says, "Explain this to me like I'm a 4-year-old".
The Conundrum of High School Course Selection: Hmmm, which class should I take - Calculus or Figure Out How Much Money You Need To Make To Survive? Wait, that class isn’t offered. The Misfortune of High School Course Selection in 2022 February typically brings many student conversations about their upcoming academic year and course selection. And I can’t tell you how much this stresses me out. Why? Because I want students to take classes in subjects they are interested in, not just the classes they think will impress college review committees. But the problem runs deeper. What is missing from the typical high school curriculum? Coursework in practical areas such as: cost of living expenses, taxes, balancing a budget and the perils of credit card and student loan debt. I am not aware of any high school courses of this pragmatic nature, apart from Personal Finance. So, are you ready for a large dose of reality? Use this calculator to see if you can afford your dream life. And when it comes to student loans, use this Debt/Salary Wizard to decide how much you can borrow without ruining your life.