Investing in the Boys

Robert came home from work yesterday and told me to call our financial advisor about buying some shares of GM. He said that it was rising fast. Apparently, some of his buddies have made some quick short sale money. The advisor told me not to bother.

We try to buy the boys a share each year. Generally, we choose a company that represents their interests at that point in time. Unfortunately, the boys seem to pick better than we. Because, the stocks that represent them right now apparently haven't heard that the nation is in a downturn. Nevertheless, this is a good time to pump up their 529 plans and possibly look at an index fund.

It seems as if we are always trying to find ways to invest in the boys' future. Violin lessons, Sunday School, Mother Goose, story time, foreign language, etiquette camp, ice skating (my oldest was under the delusion that he should play hockey), homeschooling,...The list seems to daily grow. Golf and horseback riding next year? Oh and mom, can I play baseball? Sure, two practices a week and games on Saturdays. I have nothing else to do but cart a preschooler and a toddler around all day until daddy gets home and expects his dinner. I don't even like sports.

Really, most days, I don't mind. After all, the cost of living is only going up. The children will have to compete globally for employment and I have no desire for them to live with me for the rest of their lives. So, we will continue to play the taxi driver. Fret about whether the reading skills have improved or why someone else's child can count backwards from 100. And yes, pad the 529 plans in the event one or both of the boys fail to get a decent scholarship. In the end, we probably will even bite the bullet and buy stock in one of the companies the boys love even if it never hit bottom ,and place the certificate under the Christmas tree. The payoff is supposed to come down the road. My children are worth it. Or so, I keep telling myself...