are you okay with your kid not going ot college? my daughter wants to do a trade school and I am fine with it but my husband is so mad he doesnt want to give her her college savings to pay for it…is a trade school really that bad?
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Both my kids went to trade school, daughter 2 year program, now a surgical tech at hospital making 6 figures and she’s 26, son 2 year diesel mechanic, now mazda dealership mechanic, makes 2x more than my husband. Very proud mother.
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I would proudly support my child
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I think it’s pretty smart, actually, to not saddle yourself with thousands of dollars in debt just because everyone else is doing it at that age. For some kids, college just isn’t for them. And that’s ok. Dad needs to get a grip on his unrealistic expectations. It’s her life. Let her live it. Support your kid, dad! You don’t have to like that choice to support her. Or does he need to go to college to understand THAT? 
Dad needs to take a look at what really matters here. College could always be an option down the road if trade school and the ensuing career doesn’t work out. But I don’t see any point in making your child saddle themselves with debt for something they don’t want. In terms of his relationship with his daughter, his stance on this could make or break that relationship, and affect it well into her adulthood. Tread lightly, and choose wisely, Dad.
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My husband skipped college, much to his father’s disappointment. In three weeks we will sign papers to purchase the company he works for. A multi million dollar company. Don’t be my Father in law he wasted too many years being unhappy for stupid reasons
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Yes, because I would want my kids to do what they want to with their lives. Their happiness is all I would care about. There’s nothing wrong with trade schools. Lots of people go to trade schools and make more money than people with college degrees.
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A trade school is a really good opportunity. There are so many good job opportunities connected with trade school.
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Let them be. They will work it out.
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Trade is almost the same as college. You don’t go to college as long. But you’re learning the same. And some are cheaper. Do the research and show him.
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A trade is great. I’ve made more money with my trade as a hairdresser than I have with my undergrad and master’s as a family therapist. Trades are awesome they cost less and are much needed in society. My brother didn’t go to college and he’s the family’s first millionaire. Dad let her be, support and be proud of her.
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I think more kids should learn a trade
In my brain Trade School is College. Any form of further education is great. He should be grateful they’re not just playing video games all day.
Trade school is more likely to get Her a job. College is no longer needed.
A college degree doesn’t make you any better than someone without. Trade School in my opinion is a great option.
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I actually encourage trade school over collage. We will always need plumbers, welders, mechanics. This world already has enough doctors and lawyers.
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I went to college for 2 different programs and it’s costs 25 thousand dollars and I don’t work in either of the fields. This happens a lot so I’m not sure why some parents push for college so much honestly. My son graduated in 2020 and started working at a tool and die shop right away and within 6 months they had him started on an apprenticeship and he’s almost done it now and he’s making 26 dollars an hour and he’s only 19 years old. My daughter is 23 went to college then graduated worked in the field for about 6 months and she didn’t like it at all now she’s a chef in a really high end restaurant and making really good money and finished her apprenticeship hours within a year so now she’s got her red seal and is set.
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Not everyone was meant to go to college. Her life. Her choice.
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My husband didn’t go to college or a trade school and he makes very very good money. I went to college and got a degree in psychology and can’t even use it so I work in insurance 
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I would be fine with it. I went to college and am still in debt. My husband didn’t go to college and has a better job than I ever have had and is debt free….except that he married me and my debt is now his debt 
Wow thats hella petty and very narcissistic to hold that hostage because she wont go the route he wants her to. Its her life let her live it. Learning a trade in my opinion is def more beneficial.
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I tell you what trade school did for my husband which is our breadwinner for the house… We have 2 vehicles, 2 motorcycles, sxs, 2 4-wheelers for our girls, a house with 2 garage bays to store all said toys, pays for our Utilities, vacations, and everything else we are to want. We have our ups and downs with the economy but who doesn’t. My husband makes over 100,000 every year without all the college debt. It’s not for the weak though. It’s very hard and laborious (which is the only reason I can see your husband having a fit over.) I completely support trade school. Not everyone is cut out for college. It’s also a trade which means jobs security… lots of traveling potentially involved but there will always be work. Not something a Art degree can provide.
Her life Her choice, trade schools are great
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I encourage either. I am a high school dropout, I did get my GED and I have some college behind me now. I don’t want my kids to have to go through that struggle, if it can be prevented. As long as my kids do something after high school, as far as bettering themselves, I don’t care if it’s college or trade school. Right now my high schoolers are doing high school and college through the early college program. As long as my kids don’t become government mooches, I’m all good.
People choose what to do with their own lives. Give her the savings or don’t that’s your choice. But if you try to force her to do something she doesn’t want to do, she’ll resent you
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My son went to college and all we got was a diploma. Trade school is perfectly fine!
Getting into the trades is amazing!!! She will make a really good living doing something in the trades. In my opinion it’s just as good as going to college. Be proud of your daughter and let her follow her dreams
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Trade school provides hands on experience where as most actual colleges is book experience. I tell my kids if they want to be an accountant or more office duty work they go to college. But if they want field experience they should go to a trade school.
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My daughter does a trade school for high school and will have a cosmetology license when she graduates. She is going to do onlined college instead if a university…
More people are going to trade schools and it’s perfectly acceptable. Your husband is just being completely unreasonable.
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If no one went to trade school and no one worked the jobs you don’t need a 4 year degree for, this would not be a world we could function in. Lol. College just isn’t for some people. He needs to respect her decisions for what she wants out of life. It’s hard as a parent to let go of your own dreams for your children once they grow up, but it’s necessary and not realizing that can only damage the relationship you could have with your adult child.
It is thier life. Your job was to raise them until 18. To prepare them an set them up for success. After that it isn’t your call. An to be honest trades are in demand right now and a lot less than college to complete. I would say your child is playing it smart an you should be proud not mad.
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I encourage higher education whether it’s college the traditional way or trade school. I think your husband’s overreacting and he should give her the money in her college savings to attend trade school chances are she’ll finish trade school and actually be able to get into the job market in her field of choice more quickly and be making good money in that chosen field. I know a lot of people with a college degree who aren’t even using that degree and are working in a different field then they went to college for. Either because they can’t find an job they feel suits them in that field or because they changed their mind about what they wanted to do later after college. Lot of people with college degrees aren’t doing what they went to college for, but boy they’re still paying for them college loans.
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Yep. I didn’t go either; yet at least. College isn’t for everyone and there’s plenty you can do in life without a college degree. Trade school will actually be more beneficial to her, especially financially; honestly.
Trade school is as valuable , if not more so, these days. There are college students out there who can’t find a job or pay back student loans. A trade can keep you in your feet for a lifetime. My husband is a drywall man & we have owned a company and worked for others, but it has provided us with a very good life…he is perfect at his trade & he has pride in what he does. Your hubby should calm down.
Sorry let your child follow their dreams , their passion , it’s not your husbands nor yours decision……
Support and
Encourage.
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How absolutely snobbish and ridiculous! The trades can provide a very successful career, as well as very happy individual. He needs to get off his college pedestal and let your daughter live her dream.
Trades are what are running our world. I’ve told my son that I don’t care if he wants to be a doctor or if he wants to be a welder. Just do something that will make you happy. I think it’s amazing that she wants to do a trade. Support her no matter what.
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Dad let her do the trade school she will have less debt to pay and probably a good job waiting for her when she gets done . You had set it aside for her education.
Yes anymore people that don’t go to college but learns a trade lives a lot more comfortable money wise.
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I’d ask why he’s mad that she would have a marketable skill? One that she can build her business around? Or does he want her to be one of many people in debt for many years and possibly unable to find a job with her degree. The world needs people that knows trades! Also how gross your husband is now putting strings on her education and being manipulative about it. This will permanently damage the relationship between them all.
Encourage her to do What she will like to do for the rest of her life, that also allows for her to sustain her lifestyle. What that looks like is not up to us parents. My daughter is a professional funeral director and I have encouraged her to get a trade as well. Everyone should have a good side hustle! She is good to trade school to get her welding certificate. She’s 21!
I’m a high school teacher and I’m always so proud of students who choose either path! Trade school is amazing for so many people, and college really isn’t for everyone!
Let her do what she wants to do. If he withhold the college fund so be it. She’ll figure it out and be happy following her dreams.
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She can learn a trade and being making money. Go to college and get a piece of paper with no skill therefore, no money and lots of debt. Skills make money. TRADE SCHOOL is better than college! 
There’s money in the grind and it’s without spending large amounts of money for a degree they won’t use. Trade school is less money and more often than not come out making more money than someone who went to a 4yr university.
Dad should read up on trade schools vs. college. One advantage is no educational loans to pay back. And most folks know that the unemployment lines are filled with college graduates these days.
Honestly trade school most of the time I see is better than college bc u can have a college degree and still be fighting foe the job and pay u deserve and they dont care if you have a degree. But for a lot of good jobs some require at lease an associates degree and those jobs pay like 17-19/hr which i applied for a job that was 19.50/ hr and didn’t require a degree and they trained you. But trade school personally is where its at in my opinion. I didnt go to college I tried but I was a new mom and struggled with it. And I’ve been thinking of doing something im passionate bout or do trade school for whats in demand
Sometimes people make more money and tend to be more happy coming from trade school (considering the debt that people have put themselves through because they changed their mind in college). I’m all for trade school.
I agree with your husband’s sentiment, I believe, but nobody would want to force her to go to college even if you could (pay for THAT when she doesn’t want to go = wasted money bc she won’t apply herself). Maybe she could borrow some of her college fund to pay for trade school and get a job in the industry (apprentice or helper) while she learns the trade so she can help pay for it (and the pay it back once she is out). Maybe some time in the life of a trade worker will change her mind. Many students take a “gap year” in between high school and college and the statistics for their success is unbelievable. Trade school could just be her gap year. Also make her pay rent (no dorms in trade school) or borrow against the college fund to pay for the year or two of room and board that she will need help with while going to trade school. My daughter is and always has been first in her academic class (plus she is captain of cheer team etc etc). I feel it is a waste of her beautiful brains for her to skip college and start the real estate license testing process. I am dead set against it and am doing all I can to encourage her to apply (she could a get a full academic scholarship and she won’t even apply). But her birth mother and my husband are fine with her decision to not even apply to college. If she wants to skip out on this opportunity, I would welcome her to the real world by requiring rent if she stays home (to be saved for her when she needs it later), etc. Children of parents who have planned to pay for college are lucky to have their scholastic life extended by four years (with a little more freedom yes). If they want to skip that and go straight to grown up life, then that is their first real life decision and it should have real life ramifications. Maybe I am biased but I am just sick when I hear of other girls college plans knowing my daughter has better grades and would do better in sat and everything else if she would just apply. My baby could be an astronaut or anything she wants to be with her brains. And she thinks she wants to sell real estate. Excuse me while I cry.
Trade school is so good. Our country thrives on the back of all the hard workers that keep it moving whether it be nurses, electricians, or mechanics, welders, or any of the such. Don’t knock the blue collars folks
Trades are where the money is! Not everyone needs to go to college to be successful…college is not for everyone & that’s ok
Trade school is the way to go if she doesn’t want college. Some trades are in need of new apprentices so she will make $$$$
Trade school is smart. Less expensive than college and she can make the same money if not more than someone with a college degree.
Trade school is better than college. Unless she wanted to be a doctor or something.
Trade school Is way better than college these days
Your husband should be glad she wants to go to school for anything. Kudos to your daughter for wanting to learn a trade.
Trade school = learning a valued trade making money.
College = making stupid choices and owning money.
Easy decision!!
Trades are better than a college degree! Those fields actually tend to pay more
I wish someone had told me to go to trade school after high school. Trades are in demand and pay amazing.
Trade school is way better than a degree you don’t finish, degree you don’t use or degree you can’t use. Trade school is way cheaper too.
Yes I would be fine with it as long as they have a set path for their future and sounds like yours does
These days trade school is probably better
No trade school is very good
We need more trade people
Whatever makes her happy.
Probably better off learning a trade. What does your husband do lol
I believe we need everyone to run this world. If everyone went to college who would work at the stores and restaurants?
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It’s the child’s decision. Tell him to ahead and force her to go to college and see what happens…I promise that savings will be a waste.
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Trades is what makes world go round.
I’d prefer mine to go to a trade school. My husband thankfully agrees. I dont see an issue in it, they are still getting an education and most with have them a job waiting on them when they finish
My son will be going to be a diesel mechanic… 2 yr program. Your husband should be happy your child is going for something!
There is nothing wrong with going to trade school.
College isn’t for everyone
trade schools are better.
She’s going to make more than her dad in a short period of time. He’s being an idiot
Trades pay more and you have a skill. Your husband is an idiot.
Have dad talk to the highly educated graduates of college and universities, he may find that they have little common sense, no sense of reality, and trouble with flipping the burgers at work.
She’ll make more money in the trades
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Trade school is college though?
Shes going to make more money in the trades. Trades need more women in them. All the power to her…instead of enormous school debt and the chances of finding a job with a college/university degree. Trades diploma in hand and most likely a job prior to even completing her trade route