Ouch. It's a shame you have to do that, but I guess that's going to become common practice as our economy continues to erode.
I've already figured on building a house for my son, or giving him the current NH home and property in a few years, when he's a little older. The days of kids being able to make a go of it by themselves in this country are pretty much over.
My son is smart as a whip, though. He's had straight A's this year, just scored perfect 600s on his 7th grade SOLs, and won the middle school's spelling bee on Monday even though he's 12. I'm beginning to plant the bug in his ear that he might want to become a doctor when he's older.
I'm conflicted. I'd been reasoning just a few weeks ago that he probably shouldn't go to college at all. Trade school will be a more valuable education for future generations of Americans, imo. But there's no arguing that M.D. is still the best of all the standard professions... and that will mean college.