Why the “when you grow up” question matters

“What do you want to be when you grow up?” It’s probably the most common question kids get asked in their young elementary years. I wish I could tell them their dreams to be a space policeman or a pirate sailing the high seas were viable options… but they do bring a smile to my face! Thankfully, my boys have lots of other career aspirations that are a little more down to earth!

Why the “when you grow up” question matters

Maybe that “when you grow up” question does get asked a lot… but it’s a wonderful open-ended question to see where your child’s at with their life aspirations. You can tell who will be adventurous, who wants to build, who wants to help others, who wants to teach, who wants to create. It’s such a valuable treasure to know your child at each stage of their life, and “what they want to be” is so deeply rooted in who they are as a person.

Help them understand that their answer doesn’t have to be a one-word “career choice” but perhaps a description of what they’ll be doing: I want to be a person who helps animals. I want to work with machines. I want to explore far away places. I want to invent things. These are all great answers that don’t pigeon-hole kids too early, but help them define who they are. The truth is, there are hundreds of different types of “doctors” – so it’s important not to get them locked in right away.

When you discover their inner longings, you can support your child’s dreams! Read them books, take them to museums, events, and outings that help them see the way things work, see professionals in action, learn more about their favorite subject. Pray with them about the path God has for them to take, for doors to open that put them into their unique calling in life! Let them dress up as their chosen career, help them find a mentor as they get older, or even give them classes that help them learn. Even if they don’t go on to become a pirate, perhaps they’ll have career in boating excursions!

As they experience bits and pieces of their career choices, they’ll rethink, reshape, and revise what they want to be many, many times. By letting them explore and experience, they’ll refine their sense of who they are, what best suits them, and what their life purpose is.

The “when you grow up” question matters so much, because it’s a window into their hearts. From that jumping off point, we can guide them to fulfill their life’s purpose, and be sure they are on their way to success before they leave our loving care and guidance.

When they grow up, you’ll want to be ready

Sponsored by CHET (Connecticut Higher Education Trust)

Another reason the “when you grow up” question matters, is because it helps parents plan for the future. Your little six year old who loves to play veterinarian doesn’t realize the eight years of school and hundreds of thousands of dollars that’s going to cost. We understand that training and college education comes with a price tag.

I am so 100% for kids working their way through college. But I went to a very inexpensive school, worked some semesters and through every single vacation…I am a saver, so I know I contributed the maximum I could. Yet, I still needed a lot of financial support from my parents. I’m so grateful for that support because it meant I left college without any student loans.

Putting aside money into a college savings plan is one way to lay a good foundation to support your child’s dreams down the road. We can’t always be certain of jobs, health, and other expenses, so it’s important to start early putting away finances to help kids go to college, using options like a 529 college savings plan.

CHET, the Connecticut Higher Education Trust, is Connecticut’s 529 college savings plan. Here’s a few facts about how CHET works:

• Like a Roth Retirement account
• Contributions grow tax-free
• Monies used for college are tax-free
• CT Taxpayers get a CT state tax deduction on contributions up to 10K
• Use the monies for accredited colleges and universities in the US and some abroad
• Use monies for room, board, tuition, computers, and supplies required by the school
• Rollover monies to another child if needed
• Babies! Right now, every child account opened within the child’s first year is eligible to receive $250 to get started!

Saving for college now is a smart way to support your child’s dreams right now!

This post was sponsored by CHET. All opinions are my own.