Keep ideas fresh. Pick up any parenting magazine and you’ll find lots of ideas to get those creative juices flowing in your kids. Search web and check out craft stores. Keep a journal or file for magazine clippings and ideas as you find them. Stockpile so that you’ll know how to answer whiny “I’m bored” call from kids.

Give them freedom. Once you’ve given kids some suggestions and supplies, step back and see which they choose and where they go with them. This unstructured play time gives kids an opportunity to stretch their creative muscles. Watch as they incorporate your ideas and branch out on their own.

Set an example. Chances are, if you are a creative person, your grandchild will be too. You display creativity in your everyday activities like when you reason with a disgruntled child, change lyrics to songs, and maybe even do some interpretive dancing to entertain a toddler. The children see your silliness and it rubs off on them. It’s a great idea to point out to your kids how you use creativity in your daily life.

As parents and grandparents, we always try to do very best for our kids and provide opportunities that will help them mature into intelligent, capable adults. Nurturing their creative spirits helps them along this road. With their well-developed imaginations, maybe they’ll turn it into a yellow brick, pink polka-dotted road with sparkles!

Examine their own life insurance policies and retirement programs to ensure that college funds will be available in event of their death.

Cost is not only factor to be considered when selecting a college. While private colleges are generally more expensive than public colleges, they often have a wealth of financial aid programs that will make tuition bite less severe. Many state and community colleges also have scholarships and loans available.

Libraries and bookstores carry many excellent college guides that give detailed information on individual college tuition charges academic programs. Keep in mind that most colleges have a financial aid office to assist students in determining when financial assistance may be available.

Tuition and associated fees increase by 6% each year (or more!)