Oh Vicki I totally totally hear you! BUT now that my kids are 20 and 17--I have learned by being 1st of all MOM, I gave them the best and most lasting gift ever.  Heck, I haven't made enough over the years to earn SS but I have two well adjusted, responsible, happy, bright, polite, hard working young adults to prove I did something (anything!!!!) right all these years. And my job isn't over. Changing, yes. But far from over.

I wish I'd gotten over my mommy guilt when my kids were young like yours. I wasted a lot of time trying to prove my worth.

I'm gonna post one of my favorite columns, It's called Productive Day Guilt. Um, I'll post it under "My Stories".

Syndicated Humor Columnist, Author, Public Speaker &  Creator, The Bus Stop Mommies  www.karenrinehart.net

I hadn't thought about leaving money to DD in the future yet since we're fortunate enough that I don't HAVE to work to make ends meet, but I do have something I'd like to add.

The people I knew in college who had some sort of trust fund or a substantial amount of money given to them during this time were not necessarily the people who made the best use of it. While it would be nice to have enough money to pay for college, first car etc, I think that being able to spend more time with your child and teaching them the value of money and self responsibilty is much more valuable!!!

I have to deal with the fact that I can't financially contribute to the family budget anymore, but I think if you raise your son to be independant and financially responsible, that is much more valuable. If I had to choose, I'd much rather have more family time and less money. And I for one have never expected any sort of inheritance and tell my parents that they better use it up since they can't take it with them.

I think that the life insurance is really the only thing that is needed since, God forbid, something happen to you your son will be taken care of until he's able to do it himself.

Parents always want to take care of their children, even after they are adults, but look at it from the other view, did you expect a large inheritance or continued financial support from your parents? As a youg adult, working for what you have is a very valuable lesson. :)

I hope this isn't too off of your topic. :)

Talkin' about hey now.

Here's a link to Karen's article. (It's a good read.)

Vicki ~ You are doing amazing things with your son. Heck, you're the Road Trip Mom! You are giving him memories, and love, and time, and world experiences. Don't worry about the nest egg. Sure, if it happens eventually ... fine. But some day far, far in the future when you're time comes, he's not going to be counting his pennies. He'll be looking through photo albums and watching home videos. He'll be remembering you, not your money.

Amen to what everyone has said! You are doing the most important job there is!

Kelly

Master of the mommy universe, chances are I am racing about town in the minivan, listening to a dvd that I have heard 20 times, fielding questions about all manners of things while handing over snacks on our way to the next event.

Thank you guys. I know I am fortunate to be a mommy to such a great kid. The one gift I'll always treasure from my mother was her love and dedication. She also taught me how to be a good mom to my son. I just hope he can be proud of me one day and think of me as fondly as I do my own mother.

Vicki  http://roadtrippinmom.blogspot.com/

"No legacy is so rich as honesty" 

William Shakespeare