It’s that time of year again. Spring is flying by; May is filled with activities signaling that the end of school is near. My children only have two weeks left before they are set free for summer. While thoughts of sunshine and the pool fill my kids’ heads, I am more reflective. It’s true what they say; time flies faster as you get older. Well, maybe not “older,” but certainly when you’re a mom! My daughter and son are completing 6th and 2nd grade, respectively, and it’s incredible to me how much they’ve grown.
Last night, while feeling nostalgic, I spent a few minutes talking with my kids about this past year. I asked them to think about how far they’ve come as young people, the things they’ve learned about themselves and the world. The conversation turned, as it often does this time of year, to what my kids want to be when they grow up.
My son went first. “I want to be an engineer. A video game designer. Or maybe a military vehicle designer.” Well, that certainly sounds interesting! And such a grown up plan for someone who is “nine next month.” My middle school daughter was dying to jump in with her career aspirations. “Mommy, I want to be an interior designer. But of course I’ll also have a singing career in opera or theatre.” I don’t doubt for a second she’ll do both. “Oh, I had been thinking about something in the medical or therapy field though, so we’ll see how that turns out,” she added.
My kids are in the sweet spot of their youth, but at the same time, they’re already well on their way to achieving their future dreams. My husband and I want to support our children in every way possible. And based on their current chosen professions, that support could add up…cha-ching!
“Mommy, I’m going to Michigan for college,” my daughter continued matter-of-factly. We are all Wolverines in this house, going back several generations. “That or Julliard.” You know my son’s announcement was coming next. “Michigan for me too. Or Penn State. Or another engineering school.” It’s a good thing we started 529 college savings accounts for both kids when they were babies, giving our family both the stability and flexibility to plan for the future.
It’s no accident that my husband and I selected 529 college plans and not another investment option to help save for our children’s future education goals. The thought of funding college can be daunting, and we knew we would need every minute of those 18 or so years. We also wanted to make it as easy and stress-free as possible.
In that regard, MET can help parents with the college savings process. MET is a 529 plan that allows the pre-purchase of college tuition based on today’s rates to be paid out at the cost being charged in the future when your child attends college. MET plans offer user flexibility, portability (even to out-of-state colleges if those Penn State or Julliard dreams come true), and are transferable to immediate family members. So even if you don’t start saving until later, a MET plan can benefit the entire family for a lifetime. MET allows parents, grandparents and other family members to support your child’s dreams with financial security.
As the school year wraps up for your family, celebrate how much your children have learned and the amazing people they have become. Encourage your children to talk about their hopes and dreams, ask them what they want to be when they grow up. And write it all down. Because even at “nine next month,” your son may want to be an engineer, but he may come back to you at the end of the night before bed and tell you that he “really actually wants to be a mythical creature explorer, you know, a dragon hunter.” And I’m not sure what college to direct him to in order to achieve that dream!
You can find out more about MET’s 529 PrePaid Tuition Plan on their website: SETwithMET.com
What does your child want to be when they grow up?
Download the printable below and take a photo of your child holding up what they want to be when they grow up. Use the following hashtags to be entered to win $529 towards your child’s college savings – #METsavingsplan and #DMBdreams.
