While you may feel a little overwhelmed when it comes to impressing the importance of education on your child, there are a few things you can do that will make the process easier. Even better, these three ways are likely to come off as far less pushy and insistent.
Lead by Example
A 2014 article published by The Atlantic suggests that parents' own higher education experiences greatly influence the education decisions of their children. An amazing 62 percent of young people with two college-educated parents stated that they believed a four-year degree was necessary to succeed.
Just because you don't have a degree now doesn't mean you can't get one while your children are still young, and this can be a powerful example of the importance of higher education. Many older adults are returning to schools, often fully online, to complete their degrees. As your children observe you working hard toward college graduation, they could easily be inspired to do the same.
Draw on Mentors and Role Models
You may be able to enlist the aid of someone with a master of education degree to help mentor your children where education is concerned. Many of these individuals are passionate about education and are more than happy to help. The key is to introduce the mentor in a way that is unobtrusive and natural, so look for individuals in your immediate circle of friends that your child may already know.
Don't underestimate the importance of your child's role models. Larry Fitzgerald, the Pro Bowl wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals, returned to college while he was playing pro football. LeBron James made headlines recently when he committed more than $41 million dollars from his own foundation to help underprivileged children obtain a college education, something he never obtained. In late October of 2016, James announced that he, too, would return to college for his degree.
Instill Pride in Your Alma Mater
Whether it is attending college football games on Saturday with your kids or participating in yearly homecoming events for your school, building some school pride can also help to encourage the educational aspirations of children. Allow them to experience the pride that comes with a degree.
Many college alumni programs offer events for the children of former students throughout the year. Check with your alma mater to see what programs and events are available.
Teaching your children about the value of a college education is a serious parental responsibility. Yes, it can be hard to do sometimes, but the rewards greatly outweigh the difficulties. Offer your services when it comes to applying for schools or figuring out the financial details that will make obtaining a higher education possible.
