Will our 11 kids go to college??? 📚 

Sarah and Solo, the most important thing is you're "NOT telling your kids that as soon as they turn 18, they are on their own!!!" That's what my father did...with not one single conversation about life on your own. I turned 18 in January of my senior year. On February 2nd my Narcissistic father kicked me out. Now I was a young Christian virgin with zero life experiences especially in finances. He never gave us an allowance so I was just thrown to the wind with no one but the Good Lord watching out for me. I went to work 3rd shift in the cotton mill so I could still go to school. Rented a furnished 1 bedroom apartment. Worked hard and saved. Stayed at the same job until I was 30. Opened my own alterations shop plus made custom window treatments and home fashions. I was so hurt by my father tossing me to the wind that I didn't speak to him for 2 years. So let your kids live at home until they figure out what their career path is going to be. I went hungry many times in those early years. You both are the best parents and that reflects in the wonderful human beings all your children are. God's continued blessing for all your family.

I was a public school mom and I worked to make sure my sons loved the process of learning too:-) I have 3 sons and only one went to college and has his MBA my middle son hated school and started his own landscaping business in HS and just bought his first home on 10 acres in Maine ( we are from right outside NYC) my youngest joined the military and is a career US Marine. We should all be flexible because it is their life! Love your channel❤

Sarah, red is definitely your color. You are absolutely glowing. Love your whole family and I am so impressed with the way you and Solo are raising them all. God bless you all.❤❤❤

Plumbers, electricians,mechanics, carpenters,etc , are always needed. My dad was a brick Mason and apprenticed many through his 60 years. I am a respiratory therapist and always pushed my children to go to college. My son did 1 year and joined the army, and now is an installer, blinds, and shutters, making a good living. My daughter has an engineering degree, which she never used, and went back for medical transcription, I think it's called. College is very expensive and not for everyone, I just always felt that getting out of poverty was through education, and you do need some kind of skill. Very nice video. Love your channel .

Sarah you look so beautiful in red - you and Solo are such wonderful parents - keep up the great work

Side note...Sarah, this short cut looks so good on you! It even did great through travel! ❤

Another thing I encourage is internship. My 15 year old is about to begin his final year of high school in September but at 13 he started showing a keen interest in graphic design. We spoke about it and agreed that if in one year he’s still interested in it , we’ll look into an internship. One year later he was passionate about it and had improved tremendously, so we found a company that was willing to take him in on Saturdays as an intern. The owner was really impressed with him and upgraded him from an intern to a part time job that he goes to on Saturdays whenever he has school, and he spends his spring break, summer and Christmas break working and earning with that company. He’s not only doing the graphic design for signs etc, but they have also taught him how to do the other stuff like making , installing, maintaining and removing the signs. The owner has also offered him a full time job when he’s done with school. At 15 he’s equipped with a skill set that can help make him successful in life.

AMEN!! Thank you for saying this out loud….not every child needs college and can be successful and happy without it! Find your passion and the money will follow. God Bless you and your beautiful family 🤗

I have one child that dropped out of high school and is now making a success of his passion in the kitchen. My second child graduated from a trade school in the Business program and is going into her JR year of business college and is thriving , my youngest graduated from a virtual high school this year and is enrolled in nail tech school for the fall and is owner/operator of her own dog sitting and child care business for the past 18months and learning what she needs to do to grow this business while she works on her passion career. Everyone takes their own path and our job as parents is to support and help guide our children as much as possible offering them opportunities they may not be aware are out there. Fantastic job 🎉

Having a degree is like studying Algebra. You may not use it in your current career but the fact that you stuck with it and stretched your mind to learn the requirements is extremely valuable in life. That is also true of certification in a field that you may not continue in. Not wasted time.

You just planted a seed. I’m 41, a bookkeeper with no degree. Always wanted to make a shift when my kids were a little older and hearing Judah has his mortgage license at 20, I just had a lightbulb moment and when down a rabbit hole. Deciding to start the process for myself within the next few months. I watch you for so many reasons, never expected it to lead to career inspiration. Thank you!

I am an academic currently pursuing my PhD and running a coaching business that supports mature students and professionals who are seeking university degrees later in their lives or careers. I deeply resonate with many of the points you've made. I live in the U.K. now but was raised in Nigeria and Canada as a young person. I understand why our parents encouraged schooling, it was our ticket out of poverty. What I will say is that because of where you live and your kid's passport, they don't have to worry about that in the way I or Solo's parent's worried about that. Most people don't discover their true passions until their late 20s, 30s, 40s, or even beyond. It's at these stages that education often aligns with one's true interests. Encouraging children to explore various opportunities through volunteering or paid experiences can be very beneficial. They shouldn't feel pressured to figure out their path until they're ready. Many people regret their university choices because they only understand their true passions later in life. There's no rush to determine your career path early on, especially when you haven't had much exposure to different possibilities. Our options are often limited by our immediate surroundings, so actively exploring is essential. Additionally, developing in-demand skills in fields like technology or AI can lead to high-paying jobs while you discover your true passion. I also agree with your point about the importance of trade schools, especially as jobs that don't strain our eyes and keep us outdoors. One key benefit of university education is the development of critical thinking skills, which help you question and analyse the world around you. Understanding the hierarchy of evidence is crucial-just because something is reported in the news or presented as "science says" doesn't mean it's true. While I don't use my first degree directly, it provided me with invaluable skills that I apply in my business and my PhD work today. This education also empowers me to critically evaluate information and avoid being misled by dubious claims on the internet, on the news or by people around me. Love your channel. God bless.

I think it's a crazy idea we always expect an 18 year old to choose what they want to do. When they are still growing learning and finding them selves

What I love about your children is the home schooling preserved their joy. Judah smiles all of the time! What I've observed is public schools in particular seem to take the joy out of our children. By middle school, they seem sad with the wind taken out of them. My grandson is 1.5 and we already started "homeschooling." HE ALREADY KNOWS HIS LETTERS! My husband just reads to him most of the day. They BOTH love it and we are amazed at how much he knows and is able to speak at this young age! I think my daughter and her hubby have decided to home school (especially with our help!)

As a parent of a wonderful 30yr. Old male, I pushed & pushed & hammered college to my son. ALL A's throughout schooling, Graduated 2 years early. Sent him to a 2 year AA program, graduated & looked @ me and said " I want to build racing engines " 😳 Well okay then....6 degrees later & Ta Da He is building speciality racing engines!!!! Loving life & living his dream😊 I couldn't be more proud of him!! Why am I saying all this, he had a full ride paid to STANFORD! As a single mom it was our plan. Come to find out its about what they dream for themselves not what we had dreamt for them. Blessings and Joyful Adventures to all Mrs. G

As a home school mom I really appreciate this video. Our oldest graduated in 2023 and went straight to work in construction to make money to pay for Lineman school. He will be headed there in the fall. Our middle son is a jr and is planning to attend a welding academy after graduation and is working a bagged ice company to earn money. Our youngest (14) son is a wild card. He’s passionate about animals and has always wanted to become a veterinarian. He also loves all things military and would like to be a trained sniper. He is also becoming a great wood worker. He also has a heart for Jesus and loves to preach the gospel to anyone who wants to listen! It will be fun to see what God has in store for his life❤ If you ever need a veterinarian who loves Jesus and can build you a beautiful oak table and has a sure shot on the firing range, let me know 😉

Thanks so much for this. I'm in Kenya. My oldest is 19, wants to do college and we encourage her. Besides the academia, it's about gaining independence and 'finding herself' away from her parents. She is aware (and as Solo pointed out) that in Kenya, there are no jobs waiting. College may not solve that problem but, hopefully, it will broaden her horizons.

My 19 yr old graduated last year, certified in every type of welding, minus pipe. Instead of 100k in college debt he was able to start making good money after graduating. He hates sitting, he has said over and over he has NO desire to be behind a desk! Unless you wholeheartedly have a passion that requires a specific degree, it isn’t necessary. My son kept asking me what he should do. Mom kept telling him I couldn’t make those decisions for him, I’m just here to support his decisions!! Just love your kids, encourage their passions, and never put anyone in a box!

This was my most favorite video you two have ever done. Masters degree educated and love my job, but it’s not for everyone. Tradesmen and hard workers are invaluable!!!! Thank you for the reality check!

I'm glad I went to college. It was 4 years of growth that made a bridge between living under my parent's roof to entering into my own young adulthood. It was a valuable experience and I feel like those 4 years of experiences helped shaped me in a way that likely would have been different had I gone straight into the work world at 18.

I went to school for Respiratory Therapy 30 years ago. The market was saturated at the time, and I just wanted my foot in the door at a local hospital. I started working in Admissions/Patient Registration and worked my way up to Supervisor and had a successful career as a supervisor for 25 years in that department. My medical background did help with my future career, but I never did use that education. There are great opportunities within those departments for advancement. I would always recommend it over a college education. Now I am a stay-at-home mom homeschooling my 9-year-old twin girls.

I’m a teacher. Thank you Solo for your message. I love my job. It’s not a lucrative career. It’s a passion. ❤

Homeschooling is their "job". As the mom we are directing, managing, and making resources available. Oh, and parenting and household management. Our sons were able to go so much deeper into subjects than I was though I learned so much I had missed in my public education. Now that they are grown and married to amazing young ladies, starting their families, they are homeschooling and anticipating their journey. Keep up the great work! Dual education is such a blessing that we were able to "double dip".

Such a refreshing way of looking at education. I really appreciated that you were open to sharing the mindset of your older children and how this concept has helped guide them. As a loyal watcher of your family for a very long time it's so fun to watch your kids become adults and grow from all of their real life education.

The only trouble I’ve been finding is if two people go for the same job the person who is college educated usually gets it even if the job is nothing to do with the degree the person has obtained.

Amen and amen! I’m a Catholic school teacher, mom of 5, and I loved listening to your thoughts! For me, it’s all about building the kingdom of God up, however that looks! So far I have a son who works in orthotics, a son who completed a business degree and is now pursuing his electrician certification, a daughter who is an elementary school teacher, a daughter who is nearly finished a business degree, and a special needs son who is the most precious gift - his vocation is definitely to spread joy and delight in God (and his dream is to become a Paralympic wheelchair rugby player for Canada!!). We are all unique yet made in the image of God!!

A financial counselor would be a great fit for Belle! She has such a heart for others and is super smart.

My husband is a crane operator. He was trained on the job, working up the ranks from the bottom- no college whatsoever. I am ALL for trades jobs: plumbers, electrician, welders, etc. we need them ALL.

The children today do seem to be smarter than our generation. It’s a whole different life now from how we were raised. My nephew once said to my brother “Dad, I’m smarter than you are!” My brothers reply was “son you may think you are smarter than me but you do not have the knowledge that I have!

When teenagers don’t know what career path they want to explore I find it, sometimes, easier and less stressful for everyone involved, to ask the child/children what they don’t want to do. Often this method helps the child to feel more settled about their future. Also just because you didn’t go to college straight from high school doesn’t mean you can’t go to college as a mature student.

My husband was a marine insulator who worked on ships and in plants… in 1991 he was in a Chemical explosion at work here in Charleston. Ten men were in the building when the explosion occurred and six died in the initial explosion. My husband Frankie and the other three survivors wear taken to the hospital and placed in the intensive care burn unit with severe second and third degree burns over almost seventy percent of his body. He spent four and a half months int the burn unit and was in a medically induced coma the first two months. During that time the other three men died from their injuries and Frankie became the only survivor. It’s a miracle from God he survived. Today we manage our rental properties and learned much from the Robert Kiasaki Rich Dad Poor Dad book and many of his other books like Rich Dads Prophecy. I encourage everyone to read his books. You will get a great education about business!❤✝️🙏

My husband went to MTI for hvac graduated as ambassador of his class n put his efforts in n now teaches at MTI as a hvac instructor n running his hvac business 👏 so proud of him

If your kids decide to go to college right out of high-school, who pays for it. My daughter went to nursing school. With classes, practicums and studying, she was unable to work to pay for school. We made the decission to pay for her school. It was the best decission we made and she is now a ICU RN making 95 k a year. To help financially, our youngest daughter lived at home through her 4 years in college starting at the community College the first two years. Both girls graduated with no debt which was the agreed upon FAMILY goal.

Once I was having some emergency work done on my house. As a special education teacher, I recognized that one of the workers seemed to be low verbal and to have some cognitive differences . I noticed that project manager took a bit more time explaining the task to him, but then left the workman to complete the job. I appreciated that this guy was given a chance to do a job he was good at and seemed to enjoy. The project manager said that he was one of their best workers-dependable, trustworthy and kind. And that having a worker that good was worth providing transportation and taking extra time to explain tasks. Then the supervisor looked at me and said, ”You’re a teacher? My wife is too.I pay him more than the state pays y’all.”

I would love to see an interview with the younger kids to see “what would you like to do when you grow up?” And then check back in later to see what changes. Unless you have done that and I missed it.

Such wisdom! I agree with your perspective. So many of our young people are living with crushing debt that follows them for years after college. It took our son into his 30's to pay off college debt. Our daughter waited until she could pay for school herself and completed her degree with no debt by working 2 or sometimes 3 outside jobs and by living at home. The truth is, neither of them are using those degrees in their current job lives. Trade school is a much better option. A plumber will earn far more than I ever did in my teaching career. I like the idea of giving your kids time to decide and using that time for ministry. Those experiences are far more valuable in shaping their lives. Blessings, Janell

Our thoughts and goals for/with our children have evolved just the same! Thanks for bringing this conversation to the table.

Thank you! With my oldest homeschooled child just turning 17, I think about this all the time right now!

My son is a home appraiser for an insurance company. He went to college and is a Fire Inspector and Fire Safety Educator and never thought that he would end up in the insurance field, but he's married, can work from home and he loves it!

If your oldest is 20, then you’ve been homeschooling for 20 years….always teaching the next thing they need to know❤️ Love your perspective- ours is the same👍🏻

Couldn't agree with you more! My daughter finished her nursing degree today and is 36. When she was 18, she was not ready to study at university and worked in the care sector until 5 years ago. She has just landed her dream job after all her study. We guided and supported her throughout these years, and it has worked out very well.

I’m so happy y’all covered this topic! My son recently graduated high school and the peer pressure from family to force him to go to college is overwhelming. We just don’t want to make the expensive decision to send him without exploring all of his options.

Being raised in families that the head of the household worked one job until retirement, it was not ingrained in us to have the entrepreneurial spirit when looking at jobs. I love that you are instilling that into your children. Even if you aren't exceptionally aware of that mindset, knowing and understanding what other types of jobs the child can look into to work into their life scheme is such a gift. It's definitely a whole world view, and that, in and of itself is where you are incredibly smart, Sarah. I love the way you and Solo express your visions, and relay it to us, you both are so well spoken. This was a great topic, and even though my children are adults, I still took away some really great ideas on potential conversation with them. My daughter did not go to college, and my son is opting to. Personality wise, they have done what really suits their personalities, also looking at what their future holds for them. Knowing in the end they have my support and their dad's support is the best.

The best thing for teenage years is job shadowing any and every career you think you may have interest.

Hi Sara and Solo, I have a grandson that this is his senior year coming up. He has talked about the military for many years. But also had a passion for becoming a pediatric nurse. He researched and talked to many different branches before even sitting down with his mother to discuss. How proud she was and all of us. Right after his senior year he will be going to Marines . He will pay nothing for his education. They have one of the top pediatric hospital and that is where he will be trained at. He told us he will live on base the whole time so he can bank all of his money.

ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS!!! We need more people in the trades. My husband and I have had a roofing business for 30 years and we are now in our 60’s and are looking as what we want to do next. But we are not seeing any younger generations being electricians, plumbers, mechanics, carpenters etc. These youngsters, if they were to learn a trade could name their price and really make a successful career of it. 100% society is hung up on keeping everyone in the same box. At age 16-20 you really have no clue what career you want. Life is backwards…kids should be allowed to be kids and then maybe travel and do service in their “college” years and then down the road get the education or schooling needed for what they may want to do in their late 20’s or 30’s. KUDOS to you both and thank you for addressing this!!!

I'm in my early 40s, and I have a university degree in Education. I worked as a teacher for a few years after I graduated. I LOVED teaching but couldn't deal with the bureaucratic hurdles I had to deal with just to teach. I then went to work for a family in my late 20s as their kind of family/personal PA, I wore many hats and had multiple roles I had to do. I now run a guest house for the same family with my husband. I love where I am in my life and I've loved all of my career paths.

Forgot to add to my comment. My niece is 9 and homeschooled. I was visiting them in May/June and she went through a college tour already. Yes this generation is so much smarter.

Thank you for this video! I went to college and graduate school and came from a highly educated family, but as I homeschooled my kids, my attitude about college also shifted. I hope more people who have opened their minds to different ways of educating themselves and their children will speak about it publicly. ❤

Sarah that color suits you. I agree with both you regarding rethinking what kids should do after high school. Great conversation.

Even for a stay at home mother it is important to have training of some kind to support the family in the event something happens to the spouse.

Yes, yes, yes! We homeschooled all five of our kids. They’re all grown and married and homeschooling their children. But we felt this way as well. The Lord showed us that so many graduated with debt and like you said wasn’t even using what they studied for. One of our children took a year off, worked and prayed and then went to nursing school. She married someone who wanted to become a lawyer so furthering school was what was necessary. But the rest of mine married tradesmen. I’m super proud of each of them! Good on you guys for following through Fathers leading and trusting Him for your children’s future!

My husband is a stone mason/bricklayer. He is 69 yrs old and passed retirement but has decided not to leave as there is not enough younger people coming in to the trade. He started doing it when he was 16 years old and still going to school. People should encourage their children to go into a trade as there is jobs open to them. Pay is extremely good and the benefits that so along with it. When you look at the trades there is a lot to choose from.

Good morning tribe. Sarah, is your color and that hair that hair never let it grow. It fits your personality it is so you. Love your family so much ❤

Hi Sarah and Solo. All of my children are grown, but I'm so glad you did this video about college. My ex mother in-law would always tell my children, you are nothing unless you go to college. I told her not to say that to them, but she continued. One of her son in-laws got a degree in Graphic Design and she said to him, why in the heck would you get a degree in that, you will go nowhere. Needless to say, he now has his own company and makes very good money. Great video!

I love that y’all are using such a big platform to talk about a topic so important like this. Many people need to hear and understand that College is no longer a necessity and the generations, economy, and our world in general has shifted completely. Thank you for sharing!!!!

Thank you for this video! My oldest is just about to turn 13 and this is what we have been thinking about lately. We are looking at her talents (very awesome artist) and she likes to write and tell stories. She is also interested in designing video games (we've looked into a local community college that has a program for this). We need believers in every industry.

Good Morning! We love homeschooling, and we feel the same way. We are walking through our 25th year, and like you, we have 11 children. I agree with you and Solo on College. Our kids are all looking at many different things and have many options! What a great video! God bless you all!

I love Solo’s shirt! I’m a public school teacher and I believe homeschooling is a decision for individual families.

I thought this was an interesting video and especially applicable to many young families. As someone that is about a generation older than you, there is another aspect that you probably don't realize. Generations my age and above typically picked a career and did that the rest of their lives. It was uncommon to change. Part of that is because there were not as many careers. Both careers and people are changing and you brought up so many important points that fit these new models. I went to an excellent seminar about 20 years ago that really opened my eyes to this. The speaker recommended that everyone, even when they LOVED their job, spend at least 5% of their time expanding their knowledge and/or skills for their next career. At that time, he said most people graduating high school at that time would change careers (not jobs within their career path) about 7 times. He recommended that if you were unhappy in your current job you needed to spend 10-15% of their time on their next career. This expansion could be formal classes, mentorships, internships, reading etc. about another career or learning something in some way! Love of learning and trying new things are skills everyone needs to have and I see you have really encouraged that in your children.

I was a public school teacher, wrote a humanities curriculum adopted statewide by a state school system, and I am a homeschooling parent! I do think one needs to be intentional about homeschooling but it can be done in many different ways. Learning happens every hour of a child’s life and homeschooling enabled my children to seek and explore their own ways of learning. I agree with Solo that there are more resources now, and I always used technology whether it be tv or computer. I homeschooled for 19 yrs - I have four children spread out - and we also schooled year round. All of my children went to college and now as adults continue to find ways to keep learning. More importantly, they are comfortable learning and know how they learn best. Once we were the only Homeschool family in our church and people thought we were crazy. Ha! Now they think I am amazing to have done that! Ha! I also taught parenting for 30 yrs and just as no two families are identical, no two kids are identical. Thank you for encouraging families to explore their uniqueness and talents. May God bless.

Great conversation! I didn’t stay in college and yet had a 34 year career in research. Yes, without a degree I was passed up for some promotions, but I still raised two healthy kids that both have good work ethics.

Hello! I am the mother of three boys. I live in Puerto Rico. They lived with us until they married. They decided to pursue college degrees. I think it is important to prepare yourself for life, whether with a college degree or technical one.

Bell needs college she would do so well this is sad

Silent follower of your channel, I love your videos! As a young person, it’s refreshing to see parents supporting their children in their dreams and not pushing a certain agenda for what you want and expect out of them, I wish I had more of this. Thank you for showing how to parent so well. XO 🖤

You guys are wonderful parents and have very smart loving children.

I get some of the message here but other parts I don't get. I understand and agree with not rushing into college if you aren't sure of what you want to do (although I will say going to college and taking different courses open up a lot of options for me outside of the traditional careers such as a doctor, lawyer etc.). I also agree that trade schools should be considered and talked about. I even agree that when considering school costs/debt should be a consideration and there are many ways around it. Such as community college, part-time college, working and having your employer pay for part of it, scholarships etc. The public schools (I know that's not your preference) in my area have partnered with local universities to have dual enrollment which reduces the costs. Things I don't get is how almost all of your kids want to do the exact same thing finance/theology (are they exposed to different options). And the example with Belle even if she wouldn't want to do counseling full-time how would that stop her from getting a degree in Psychology? She could do many different things career wise with the degree and still have the ability to counsel individuals as often as she chooses and gets her license..

Thank you for thos video. Many parents need to learn exactly what you are talking about. No need for college in all professions.. i retired from usps with no college. I had a few jobs beforehand that prepared me for postal work. I think like Sara you have to learn your childs strong points at a younger age and help them grow those desires. Trade schools are wonderful ,many are offering college classes now. My father became a auto mechanic instructor at our local trade school when i was growing up. He did😮 college classes to keep his credentials for teaching. Hes home now in heaven and missed dearly by so man he was a loving person and helped many.❤❤❤

I just like you two so much. I am sure you aren't perfect lol, but the thoughtfulness and integrity you seem to live your life and raise your kids with is amazing ❤

I totally agree with you. I know so many young people who don't want to go to college. I encourage them to go to a trade school. My brother didn't go to college but went through a training program to become an electrician. He makes good money and doesn't have any regrets about college. We need more plumbers, electricians, builders and road workers.

I’m of the same opinion. I believe in trade school simply because they can focus directly on their goals and not have to take on all of the “unnecessary extras” and it’s way more affordable. I explain it to my kids the same way you explain it

I agree with you… Not everyone has to have college education. My two oldest sons did, but my youngest two not. One of my son’s professors said it’s not for everyone! Yes, I agree trade school would be great! My third son had a harder time with books but is very much hands on and does very well where he is now. Colleges don’t all have the same values as parents. I too have noticed that some people think it’s so important to go to college, but never use their degree, but resort to a job that doesn’t match their education and have accumulated big debt!

I can't believe that Judah is engaged, Belle just graduated high school, with 2 coming up right behind them. Where has the time gone. I got a summer job and never went back to college until I was in my 50s and got my AA.. I found that I was good working in the corporate world. Trade school is coming back.

I agree that working in one of the Trades is just a good or better and there will always be a need for them.

I understand your mindset. The only point I want to bring up is there are so many jobs that require a degree in anything to make good money. I never got a degree and was a secretary in the administration building of a school district. I made fairly good money, but not as much as I could have with a degree.

Ive been following years and you guys have influenced my homeschooling journey in so many ways. Thank you so much for sharing your family journey 🖤

You are right, there is nothing wrong with trades, without them you would not be sitting infront of your beautiful house, like you both said some kids are not collage material as long as they are happy healthy individual. great job Sarah and Solo!

One of our kids went to nursing school, and is a cardio thoracic ICU nurse in a heart transplant unit (hoping to go to CRNA school soon). Our other kid went into the Army right out of high school. He finished his Army obligation recently and loves the job he learned while active duty. He's currently back at home with us, in the process of moving to UK to work at a Royal Air Force base there as a civilian (same job he did for US Army). Both took different paths, but both successful young adults. Couldn't be more proud of them. Lots of amazing skills they can learn without the cost/time of traditional college.

My nephew started working at 14 a small town ice cream mfg, that also had a small diner/ ice cream parlor out front. He met some firefighters one day, talked to them. Soon as he could became a firefighter and kept his ice cream job. A few years ago he retired with 30 years from fighting in his early 50's and still works part time delivering ice cream to stores in his later 50's.

Although I basically agree with you in my opinion my college experience in the 70s and my children's college experiences in the early 2000's was much more about learning independence and being exposed to people from different areas with different cultures. Living in a dorm far enough away that you can't go home easily is like practicing independence with a safety net. You have been able to give your children that experience through mission trips. But just staying at home in your childhood bedroom with the familiar living standards and ways of thinking seems unfortunate to me.

My daughter went to a community college for accounting which is what she wanted. After a year she ask if she could quit. Of course, we said yes but you must work full time. She did go to work. One day taking our neighbor to visit her husband in the nursing home. She realized what she wanted to do. She worked in the hospital while getting her medical technician. She they passed the exam and worked at that position. She thoroughly enjoyed her career.

College is very important, especially for children that are homeschooled. My opinion….

I agree with this 100%! We homeschool too and the flexibility that comes with it is definitely a plus. My first born will start 11th grade and is beginning course work for interior design through our local community college. We have told our kids that college isn't always necessary and staying out of debt should be part of their plan. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Sarah you look very nice. The earrings, top, & possible makeup are really accentuating your beauty. 🎉🎉🎉

I love Solo's shirt, it is so true. We are going to homeschool our little boy, I'm worried about it, but I believe God will lead me.

Belle is a wonderful young lady and will be a blessing wherever In whatever she chooses to do

Solo you need a channel for you finance business! The new and improved Dave Ramsey 😂 I would watch it. Advice for families.

I agree Sarah about trades. All our Sons are in trades and doing very well. One did do a year at college but decided it wasn’t for him. Now he is very successful. He loves what he does.

So many jobs require a 4year degree regardless of what it’s in. It’s not fair but your choices are much limited without one.

hi you guys! just my two cents. i did go to school for something completely different than my career (i do think my degree helped me land my job, though, regardless of the subject i studied in) but i WILL say that there are no regrets there. i learned so much, met so many people, built connections/ networked, and am in love with the subject i majored in. it really just depends on the person, i suppose! i do understand this may not be feasible for people given loan debts (im luckily not in debt for school). but just wanted to say how grateful i am to have the opportunity for a college education and how much i learned. A college education is definitely a tool that goes beyond what you can earn financially. Im glad you guys are keeping an open mind, not pushing your children to go straight into college but also still considering that possibility.

This is very beneficial thank you for having this discussion with all of us.

I work in public school and my son went through the public school system. He’s currently a junior in college. I pushed for college because I really wanted him to have that 4 year buffer between childhood and being an adult. I don’t know if he’ll ever use his degree, but he is experiencing things that I hope will be useful in his life.

My son used to be a finance manager at a car dealership. He was tops in his department. His peers couldn’t believe that he did not go to college. He actually quit school and took his GED. He is a whiz at math. Now he owns and flips Air BNB cabins. Can calculate square footage, cost, etc.. in his head! It’s his gifting.

My middle granddaughter will be doing dual enrollment in the fall this year. When she graduates, she will get her diploma as well as an Assoicates degree in what ever she chooses. The public high schools in my state offer that at no cost.

I agree with you… Not everyone has to have college education. My two oldest sons did, but my youngest two not. One professor said it’s not for everyone! Yes, I agree trade school would be great! My third son had a harder time with books but is very much hands on and does very well where he is now. Colleges don’t all have the same values as parents.

When I finished college and I got a job in my field I started out higher even though I had never worked in that field because I had a degree.

This is a good talk. Thank you!

Yes, I struggled with conventional learning and it took me years to get through college on a part-time basis. I did it so I could move up in my industry but school was not enjoyable. I learn more on RU-vid, Reading, Pod Casts, Exploring, Traveling, etc.

Solo and Sarah, the two of you are such a wealth of information and inspiration. I truly hope there are young parents out there being shaped by your guidance. My husband and I are in our 50’s and have 5 adult children and 7 still at home. We did not come from the foundation you are giving your children and had to muddle through. We have I think, figured out a few things decently along the parenting path, but wow…. To have been in our 20s and had mentors like the two of you. ❤.

A big thing that has changed in my mindset is going from thinking that a college degree has value in and of itself, regardless of what the degree is to realizing that not all degrees are created equal and not all will actually serve the person who got it. I’ve also grown in an appreciation for the trades and how vital they are to our society.