Pursuing true North

Hey friend,

This week, we sent our eldest son off to Basic Training.

To be honest, it was emotional. There were a lot of feelings wrapped up in that moment. But more than anything, I’m proud of him. Proud of his courage, proud of his willingness to step into something hard, and proud of the man he is becoming.

He’ll also be the fourth generation in our family to serve in the military, which makes this season feel even more meaningful for all of us.

As I’ve been processing it all, I keep coming back to this thought: these big life decisions don’t usually happen overnight. They come after years of conversations, prayers, guidance, and learning your child for who they uniquely are.

And with five kids, I know each one of them will choose a different path, and I really think that’s a beautiful thing. They were not created to all walk the exact same road. One or two may choose college, one may choose trade school, one may join the military, one may head straight into the workforce, and because two of mine are special needs, one or two of mine might need an adult day program.

Different doesn’t mean wrong. It just means they are uniquely made.

That’s why these conversations matter so much as parents.

We can guide.
We can teach.
We can pray.
We can set expectations.

But at the end of the day, our kids are going to make their own decisions about the future. And one of the best things we can do ahead of time is get clear on what we are willing and able to support—emotionally, practically, and financially.

If your kids are getting anywhere close to that stage of life, now is a great time to start having those conversations.

Talk through questions like:

• What can we realistically afford to help with?
• Do we want to help financially, and if so, how much?
• If they stay at home, what will be expected of them?
• What do responsibility, contribution, and adulthood look like in our home?

Those conversations are not just important for parenting—they matter for your financial planning too. It’s hard to prepare well when you haven’t talked through what you’re preparing for.

So if this is a conversation you’ve been putting off, let this be your gentle reminder: you do not have to have every answer today, but now is a good time to start.

And if you’d like help thinking through what support makes sense for your family and your finances, I’d love to help.

Cheering for you always,
​Jenny 💙

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See you next week!