20 somethings not growing up

So for those of you complaining about 20-somethings, did you or do you plan to help your own children with college costs? If so, do you feel that you're enabling them to have an artificially prolonged adolescence?

My parents helped me with college room and board (I had scholarships covering base tuition). They were well-off financially and I was a good student. Not having a full time job in college allowed me to study more, run better, get involved in other campus activities, and have more social time (not that all these things are on the same value level). If I had the money and the children, I'd probably want to do the same for them, dependent on them working hard in school and behaving responsibly- starting in high school and continuing through college.

My parents paid full tuition, room/board, through graduate school, and nothing else. Automobile, books, travel, getting home from school, etc., were all on my own. I lived at home during summer breaks. I hope to do the same for my children. I had a safety net while also learning to be independent. Someone a few pages ago had a great post about how your parents can steer you along through high school, but then need to prepare you for independent adult life. It was well said.

As an employer, I am very partial to those students who work their way through college, they go to the top of the resumes I sift through. None have let me down. I also pick out the runners.

Some of my older co-workers joke about their children using their credit cards, how their cars are so nice, and I know that most pay for their children's auto insurance, cell phone bills, and clothing, social stuff. That amazes me.

I was on my own at 18. No parental help with college. I could not qualify for financial aid because of them..... they made too much money, although they gave me none of it.

I worked three jobs to get through undergrad with $0 debt. I had to sacrifice a lot of the traditional "college experience" because I was usually at work when things went down. I was able to qualify for loans and an academic scholarship when I went to graduate school, plus I worked 30 hours a week. I still left grad school with debt, which I paid off myself. My parents gave me $50 as a gift when I got my BS, and another $50 when I got my MS. They have not given me a penny since -- I am in my mid-30s now, own my own home, two cars, the typical American dream. I appreciate it, because I did it all on my own.

If I ever have kids, I suspect I will be somewhat tough, but more generous than my parents were with me.

I was one of 7 kids.

A very sick Father(He died when I was 18)

A brother with cerebal palsy who was cared for by my Mom.

I started part time work after school when I was 12 years old and so did my brothers and sisters.

I bought my own clothes and paid for my school books as well.

I was married at 20 and paid for the wedding.

My brother lent me $5ooo deposit for our first home.He was 21 at the time.

I guess I came from a generation who grew up fast because we had too.

Now at 55 I am enjoying the benefits of doing the hard yards.

It is so damn Satisfying and I have no regrets.