So true. Best thing I ever did was create 529 account for each kid. I handed it off when they turned 18 with the message of "I saved this up for you and its yours now, but I don't know if I will ever be able to add any more to it, so use it wisely..."

Putting the responsibility on them is a great way to focus their minds. 



Parents still have the power of the purse over college age children 

Bell_curve

AskSN

What is your best parenting advice?

Aardvark

> I think it's the ultimate learning experience, and each kid is different.

Tied into this: Your job as a parent becomes more of a 'coach' once they hit 14/15. Further once they hit 18/19 you become a friend/mentor/advisor. 

That sounds all warm-and-fuzzy but you need to take the good with the bad. You can't make your 18 y/o do anything, you have no control, and all you can do is *suggest* the best way they accomplish something. You need to let the school of hard knocks take care of the rest.....thats certainly easier said than done, but ultimately you need to accept it because thats how it is.

