To be transparent(ha) I have been a stepmother to this young lady from 10 years, and have a great relationship with her, and coparent well with mom, dad, and step-dad. Imagine a dream team, we even pet sit for each other for vacations.
Here's the situation, 18f has a full ride scholarship to community College through the state, and if she wished to continue with college, the majority if not all of her university would be covered by scholarships and grants. She recently dropped the news on me, in conversation, that she thinks she doesn't want to go to college, and would prefer to get a job and work on her craft (sewing, making costumes etc.) Heart drop. As unfair as it is to her, my mindset goes to how I never had the opportunity to go to college, and had to start working full time and support myself through a trade school, because I got kicked out 3 days after graduation at 17, so her having all this opportunity feels like a waste,and foolish to not pursue. I could go on a outlying personal feelings on the matter, but I haven't quite reflected that to her, yet. So far in her job search she has had 1 interview at little Ceasars. She did not get the job. I am worried for her future, but dad and I are on the same page that if she is not actively going to school for anything she can not stay with us too long after graduating, at least without contributing. She seems to think it will be easy to find a place with a roommate, and will be able to afford it. We've been thinking about showing her how to make a budget, with average cost of living and average entry level job wages, to help her come to a balanced conclusion, but we are kinda at a loss. Ideally wed like to convince her to go to college without belittling or pressuring her.
How would yall handle this? Open to all and any advice, just keep it kind please. Navigating this is difficult enough. Thanks!