Unconventional ways of investing in a family RESP

A parent has run a family RESP for years with three beneficiaries, including a child from a previous marriage alongside two shared kids, and is looking for less conventional ways to invest and manage the account. Family plans come with their own quirks: the government grant rules, how money and growth can be shared among children, and what happens if one beneficiary does not pursue further education. This piece works through how a family RESP can be structured and invested with some flexibility, and what to keep in mind so that contributions, grants, and earnings can be directed sensibly when the children reach post-secondary age. It is most useful for blended families and anyone juggling several beneficiaries in one plan who wants to understand the room they have to maneuver, and the pitfalls worth avoiding, before settling on an approach.