College planning can bring up a lot more than tuition, applications, and deadlines.

For many parents, the emotional and financial residue of coparenting tension shows up right when kids need steadiness the most. It can be hard to hold both realities at once: wanting to support a young adult’s next step while also feeling the weight of everything that’s already been spent. If you’ve ever felt that clash between practical planning and old family stress, you’re not alone. What helps your family keep the focus on the child’s future?