It can seem crazy to think about when they’re still so young, but your children will one day be adults out in the big, wide world — and actually, you might be surprised at how fast that moment comes!
So while it’s important to appreciate the here-and-now, it’s also important to invest some time, energy, and money into your child’s future. As with most things, even small amounts can add up to big results if you start early enough. In this post, we’ll run through some of the best, most long-lasting ways to invest in your child’s future. Take them on board, and you’ll be setting your child up for success in later life.
Everyday Learning
There’s a strong correlation between education and salary. In other words: one of the best things you can do for your child is make sure that they have a positive relationship with learning. It’s much easier to get your child to do their homework when they’re a teenager if they don’t view learning as an all-out awful experience! We’d recommend building in a little bit of learning into their early lives when they’re young, be it daily reading, watching documentaries, or visiting museums. By the time they’re older, they’ll have such a close relationship with learning that it’ll be second nature.
Start Saving Early
Every young adult wishes they could get a cash windfall from their parents when they reach adulthood. After all, a lump sum of cash can be the difference between going to college or not, taking an unpaid internship or finding a routine job because they have to pay the bills, or simply missing out on opportunities because there’s no cash in the bank. Putting a little bit of money away each week can lead to massive savings that can make a huge difference to your child’s life when they’re older. Even putting just $5 a week in a RESP (Registered Education Savings Plan) from when your child is young can add up to a full year’s tuition by the time they’re ready to go to college. Put the same amount in another savings account, and you’ll be giving them what they need to get the best possible start to their adult life.
Healthy Habits
Life’s easier to manage when you’re in good condition. You have more energy, and you get sick less often. It’s an easy way to put yourself in the best possible position for success. While it’s possible to adopt healthy habits later in life, it’s much easier if you’ve been doing them since childhood. You can give your child a healthy foundation by encouraging physical exercise, spending time outdoors, and encouraging them to look after their mental well-being. Many older people say that they receive a mountain of benefits once they’ve made exercise, healthy eating, and meditation/breathwork a part of their lives. Just think of what your child might go on to achieve if they’ve been doing all of these things since the day they were born?