Which degree does he already have? And what work has he already done?

I was working at 20.75 years of age, while completing Uni. At 21, when I had finished 3rd year Uni, I worked 7 days a week, for about 8 weeks. I had a weekend job, and 9-5 day job that I had started... Couldn't wait to earn some money, and stop doing "fake" university stuff...

Can't answer your question though... Is he scared of the real world, and real work?...

I'd be inclined to instruct him to work the entire Summer Break...

help him to do it if you can afford to. the couple of extra years between physio & medicine is nothing in the long run. i reckon you'll both be glad of it down the track.
the marriage & grandkids comment is a bit strange. to be frank i'm not sure that's an area of your kid's life you should be trying to influence...

I reckon with the 20hr shifts and stuff at an E.D for first year docs he is doing himself a disservice. Stick with physio and after couple of years could be almost making doctor money anyway?

Mark _australia said..

I reckon with the 20hr shifts and stuff at an E.D for first year docs he is doing himself a disservice. Stick with physio and after couple of years could be almost making doctor money anyway?

Yeah but as a doc you can get scripts with out a visit to the stupid wait rooms, the sitting around..I had a mate who was a Doc and was the best ever

This year Ive had 3 daughters finish degrees without a hex debt. we simply topped up as neccessary to get them through.
2 now have jobs at pancake house
personally i think that helping them get a better education than we could afford is the whole point of getting up and going to work.
thats what our parents did. I see so many people who's kids didnt get the same standard and level of education that their parents had, and their parents dont seem bothered.
surely its our duty to make the most of our high standard of living,cos if we dont it will crumble away

There's a degree for physio? Funny stuff.

Honestly - if it's what he wants to do, let him do it under his own steam - the harder it is for him, the more he'll respect himself and the work he's put in at the end. As a society we have to cut out this whole "it's so hard for kids these days" crap, get them off the boob and ready for survival in the real world.

Disclaimer - I have 3 kids under 10 and although my views won't change... I'm married to a woman that is very soft with the kids and I'll probably not be able to follow my own advice in the future.

Theoldgrom said..
He's a good kid. Morally grounded and keeps his head on top of things. Furthermore he isn't a hard party'er but keeps himself busy with a wide network of friends. Currently starting his physiotherapy degree at 22 (has already another under his belt) but wants to sit the medical entrance exam and become a doctor. He isn't a bother at home - even chipping in his share of 'rent'. Now I am all for encouraging my kids to chase their dreams but what do you guys think? It will take atleast until he is 30 before he is financially independant furthermore I can resolve myself to him not marrying early nor grand kids any time soon if he follows this path.

What do you guys think?

Because of the first three points you list, I think you should contribute whatever support you can give without running yourself ragged.
I know it looks like a bit of a grind at the start of the process but the fact is, it is one of the better and more long lasting investments you will ever make.
Not so much for yourself, except for the long term knowledge that if it all works out well, you can always get some satisfaction that some small part of it was enabled by your support.

Or,.. you could just blow it all on beer and smokes, or a new car which will be on the junk heap in ten years, or a holiday which will be over in 4 weeks.

Medical degrees have very demanding courses. Your son will get better results, finish quicker and be more likely to graduate if you continue giving him support. Yes he may be 40 before he becomes a specialist. However he will be raking in hundreds if thousands or even millions of dollars a year when he practices as a specialist.

The best asset you can spend money on is your kids education and future ! Goog luck he might save my life oneday !

being the only theDoctor on here, I believe I am the most suited to give a qualified answer...

what was the question again....?

maybee you could onvert the garage or downstairs room or something to give him a semi detactched sort of unit or granny flat thing. depending on your house of course.

Just playing the devil's advocate (again) - another thing worth thinking about is - Instead of him doing it tough (on his own), what about the added pressure he may need to deal with if (down the track) he decides not to complete the degree (or can't complete it for some reason) knowing that his parents had put up the funds and support? This would be worth discussing with him also before making the decision as he'd need to know that you're making the choice to assist him whether or not he makes it and that there is no pressure from you.

Cheers Youngbull with your skepticism Some of us actually have lives and frequent the site purely to check conditions to actually go for a surf. Surely a robot does not use emoticons? I am sorry that I do not post more regularly as I enjoy lurking and don't see any expertise in me in contributing to a thread such as the shark attack one.

Have had a talk with the son about it all and his rooms already filled with library borrowed text books so guess he really is serious about this. He has told me he does not want to free load but has made a deal that should he finish this, his first proper year wages goes towards buying the old man a retirement home In exchange we will keep him around for as long as he needs to finish the degree. He's even told us he wants to leave once the degree is finished, dreaming of working as a rural doctor with the only condition that it's somewhere with waves. Missus on the other hand doesn't even care if he stays til he is 30. Baby's him too much sometimes.

I guess my fear as some of you guys have posted is that he is going to miss out a significant chunk of his life if he follows down this road. The 20s for me was my greatest time - travelling, building my life and all that. I worry about his being stuck behind books while others are out and about.

Hope you all have a good start to the working week and Xmas around the corner.

Sailhack said..

landyacht said...
This year Ive had 3 daughters finish degrees without a hex debt. we simply topped up as neccessary to get them through.
2 now have jobs at pancake house
personally i think that helping them get a better education than we could afford is the whole point of getting up and going to work.
thats what our parents did. I see so man people who's kids didnt get the same standard and level of education that their parents had, and their parents dont seem bothered.
surely its our duty to make the most of our high standard of living,cos if we dont it will crumble away

Hey landyacht, I don't quite get your stance on this? I always enjoy your posts but don't understand what you're getting at... you say you helped pay for your daughters' degrees that they have no work for - yet you also defend doing this?

I wholly agree that we should give our kids the best opportunities with regard to education that we can afford - but I don't believe that we should 'prop them up'. They need to do it in their own in order to have some pride in themselves for the hard work they put in.

Edit - I had a client (semi retired couple) wander in this week after recently competing design drawings for a substantial renovation they were looking forward to for their sunset years. Their "situation had changed" and the reno had to be cut back significantly due to them receiving a phone call from one of their kids who pulled up short on buying a house and needed another $80kfrom them (to top up on the $600k they had) so they could buy the house that they wanted... thus couple have worked all their lives and are still sacrificing for their adult kids.

I know they wouldn't have it any other way, but from the outset - I felt like grabbing the kids and giving them a good shake.

could have been clearer. all of them seem to have found a niche whilst they have been studying. all of them will eventually end up working in the fields they started studying in. except 1 who has applied to go back and do a new degree in a field that she came in contact with whilst doing her first choice.her new choice ,i think will lead to much greater and diverse opportunities internationally. . Meanwhile the student support is over and the job hunting has begun. and 2 of them took jobs at pancake house to pay the bills. both are realistic in that they realize that jobs in thier chosen fields will be hard to get
we certainly supported them through their degrees, and will continue to help where we can, as none of them have a sit on your arse and complain attitude. they are all go getters who try to pull their weight at all times

Because it is his second degree, no HECs? You will have to pay as you go?

We had professional friend do this for their son. he is now interning @ 30 yo in Cairns. Well and truly left home.

Another friend independent daughter started Medicine last year @26. She is working her way through with 2 full time jobs - she is driven

Another friend's daughter is about to start next year at 24yo.

Another school mate went to Uni, interned at Lismore and has stayed there since as a GP. Think Brian is still there.

I could not be a doctor, but admire those that do.


As for me, I am still trying to work out what I want to do. It took 20 years after Uni to settle down. He is not alone.


I am all for encouraging and supporting him. The inheritance might be reduced. Good luck with the decision.