Bobby has been actively supporting his niece, who is currently a junior in high school, as she begins making decisions about her future.
He has taken a direct and practical approach in guiding her, particularly when it comes to preparing for her ACT. Bobby encouraged his niece to take the test, explaining to her that it may take multiple attempts to achieve a strong score. He had a one-on-one conversation with her, where he emphasized the importance of starting early and continuing to improve with each attempt. After she completed her first test, she shared her score with him, and Bobby was proud of her performance, noting that she did better than he expected. He continued to encourage her to keep practicing and to plan for future attempts at the test. In addition to academics, Bobby also discussed her independence, pointing out that she does not yet have her driver’s license despite having a job. He offered to buy her a car if she passed her driving test, explaining that he wants to help make it easier for her to get to work and prepare for college life.
As prom approached, Bobby asked his niece about her plans. She and two friends were planning to get their nails done. Bobby initially assumed the cost would be relatively low, estimating around $80, but later learned the total for nails and pedicures for all three would be around $500. He agreed to cover the cost, explaining that he is willing to provide support as long as she continues putting in effort toward her goals. Bobby emphasized that his intention is not to make decisions for his niece, but to give her the resources she needs so she can focus on making the right choices. He reflected on his own upbringing, explaining that he did not always have the opportunity to focus on long-term goals because he was focused on immediate needs. That experience influences his desire to remove certain obstacles for his niece so she can concentrate on her future.
He also shared that he has discussed college plans with her and made it clear that if she is accepted into a school, he will pay for her education. However, he stressed that she must meet the requirements on her own, including gaining admission and maintaining good grades. Amy commented that Bobby’s involvement with his niece reflects the kind of parent he may become in the future, noting that he is providing guidance in ways he did not receive growing up. Bobby acknowledged Amy's perspective, but reiterated that his main goal is to support his niece by allowing her to focus on what matters most for her future while he helps ease other burdens.