by Hope
History Buff (L) and Sea Cadet (R)
On my last post, several people asked about the twins and their plans. Since we have been discussing that ad nauseum around here, it’s an easy post to write. The twins just completed their junior year of high school. (For those that haven’t followed our story, just a little background. The twins were placed with me when they were 12 years old as foster kids. When it was determined that they couldn’t go home, I adopted them at the age of 15th. They will be 18 this fall. Sea Cadet is older by 20 minutes and he chose to be homeschooled beginning his freshman year of high school. History Buff was pulled from public schools at the end of the first semester of his freshman year after not making the grades (he and I had an agreement based on grade expectations.) History Buff’s first day at our homeschool co op – “my best school day ever!”)
History Buff is on track to graduate next year, and is college bound but he is very unsure of what he wants to do or study or even where he wants to go. So for his senior year of high school, he will be dual enrolled at a local community college. This will allow him to finish his high school credits and get some college credits simultaneously. He has applied and must complete the English and Math Virginia Placement Test before he can enroll in classes. Other than that, all school decisions are up in the air. He would really like to move to Austin, TX where most of my family lives for college, but I have put my foot down on out of state tuition costs, so we are considering a gap year for him to move there, get acclimated, a job, etc. and then enroll at a local college. But truly, all up in the air. We will visit some VA schools this summer, and possibly do a second year at the community college.
This summer he is working two jobs. He continues to work at the local movie theater, mostly because he loves the benefits
Sea Cadet, History Buff and Princess
it gives his social life with free movies and discounted snacks. He also works at a sub shop which was a job he was given by a family friend and he loves it. He’s enjoying some free time from school, dating and hanging with his friends while he swims an hour a day for swim team and is working out three times a week with a personal trainer.
We’ve just modified his money plan. Since the twins began working, they have been required to save 50% of each paycheck for college, 25% is used for bills (car insurance, gas, cell phone and clothes/hygiene) and 25% spending money. He has done great, and learned some hard lessons. I am so proud of him. In the last month, we changed his plan to this: 25% college savings, 25% personal savings, 50% bills and spending. We did this to give him a bit more control over his “free” money and let him save some money for car repairs or a newer car whichever comes first as we have had a few scares with his car.
Sea Cadet will graduate in two years. We knew going into high school that he had some challenges with education and at the end of the first semester decided to slow down a bit to give him a chance for a much more successful high school career. In homeschool, it’s called a super senior year. (Before this becomes a discussion, he has what is called an ISP through the public schools which is evaluated every year, even though we homeschool. And when he was in public school he had services in the classroom. Slowing down was just what he has needed and he has been very successful. When the twins were placed with me in 7th grade, Sea Cadet tested at a 3rd/4th grade level, again a public school administered test.) He will receive a general diploma when he graduates and will have met all VA state requirements to do so.
Back to Sea Cadet’s plans, he has two more years of high school to complete. He will also be dual enrolling this fall, but since he has a very strong interest in the medical field, he will be going into a two year EMS program at the local
Sea Cadet at lakehouse
community college. He has already passed the English portion of the VPT, and will take the math portion this week. We are doing this for two reasons: 1) it will give him a chance to try out college with home support and 2) if he completes the program and can pass the certifications he will have a career option available immediately just in case he decides college is not for him. His dream is to be a flight nurse in the military, so we think this is a good way to see if that is a good career path for him.
He is also working two jobs this summer. He continues to work at the movie theater with his twin brother, but he will also be away for 5 weeks this summer, working as a junior camp counselor at the Christian summer camp they have attended the last 4 summers. He has completed his drivers ed course, but does not seem to be in a rush to get his drivers license especially when he considers the cost of insurance. Sea Cadet continues to save 50% of every check for college and has done great with that as well.
I could not be more proud of the twins. They are great young men, responsible, polite and really working hard to make good life choices. I am so proud to call each of them my son.
Twins and friends at homeschool graduation event
Hope is a creative, solutions-focused business manager helping clients grow their business and work more efficiently by leveraging expertise in project management, digital marketing, & tech solutions. She’s recently become an empty nester as her 5 foster/adoptive kids have spread their wings. She lives with her 3 dogs in a small town in NE Georgia and prefers the mountains to the beaches any day. She struggles with the travel bug and is doing her best to help each of her kids as their finish schooling and become independent (but it’s hard!) She has run her own consulting company for almost twenty years! Hope began sharing her journey with the BAD community in the Spring of 2015 and feels like she has finally in a place to really focus on making wise financial decisions.
Thank you for sharing all of this with us! You must be so proud of them. I love that you aren’t pushing the regular college track and are thinking outside the box and taking their interests into account.
Its great that you expose them to real world concerns (in-state tuition, cost of car maintenance, getting a feel for a career before jumping all in, etc.) I feel in this day and age a lot of parents want the best for their kids. But they do it at the expense of sheltering them from a lot of reality by paying their way, encouraging student loans, not following through with thorough research, etc.
Just wanted to chime in and say that you must be so proud of these young men! Great kids pursuing realistic goals and learning great financial lessons along the way. Way to go, mom!
I teach at a community college (way down south). I think that both of your boys have good plans as to their future education. The EMT program in my area is a great program to go through (and builds lots of friendships). I am happy for all of your that they are dual-enrolling. It is a great option for getting a head start on college and developing a plan for the future.
I think that it’s great that they’re both working and that you’re helping them adapt their budgets as they need. That is a really important lesson to learn, that while the total amount might not be flexible, where it goes often is.
Hope, you should be SO, SO proud.
Your kids are lucky to have you!
In Minnesota there is a government program that pays college costs for children who have been or currently are in the foster care system. There are certain timelines/guidelines but maybe there is something similar in your state. It would be worth checking into.