I have four children - three daughters and one son. I have encouraged my daughters to strive to be Godly women and have tried to elevate the idea of a Godly wife and Mother for them. I believe my wife is a great example for them. That said, I have also told them that they need to consider whether or not they think college would be helpful to them. My oldest (who is 15) is considering attending nursing school. I am encouraging her in that decision. For my son, I have stressed to him the importance of being a provider for his family - if that's the Lord wills for him to have a family. I have encouraged him to consider an educational direction that would the best provide opportunities for that path. He is free to make his own decision at to whether or not college is an option (as are my girls.)

So....you're encouraging your son to consider an educational direction to maximize his chances of always being able to piut food on the table and pay the bills. Good plan. May I suggest something in the hard sciences.

You're also encouraging your daughters to strive to be Godly women, and your're promoting this "Godly wife and Mother" package. Well, zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah....what a great piece of advice that is!!!

And the idea of "they need to consider whether or not they think college would be helpful to them..." Bravo! Enough of this notion of "father knows best"...let the girls (whoops! I mean children) make up their own minds on their educational direction.

Let me ask a question, professor - suppose one of your daughters winds up marrying some nice Christian boy - and then a few years later, something happens....and for whatever reason, he's out of the picture and she has to fend for herself. Think maybe a little bit of emphasis on "being the provider" now, might help her out in the future?

Piece of advice, Howard, and this comes from someone who has seen plenty on this front: train all your kids to fend for themselves.

Kevin