Your children are the most precious things in your life, and from the moment you see those two lines on a pregnancy test, you will be making plans for them. From what stroller you want to use, to which daycare you will send them to, but what about the things a little further in the future?
A future without you
It’s not something anyone ever wants to think about, but it is essential to plan for a future that may not have you in it, to give your children the best support they can have. This means having life insurance to keep them financially stable and, if you were to die as part of an accident, you want them to know how to contact a wrongful death attorney in Columbus Ohio (or wherever it is that you are based). You will also want to have a will written up, in case the unthinkable were to happen, you want to know that your children will be looked after and that, although an incredibly heartbreaking process, it could be made a little bit easier for them.
Start saving
One of the best things you can do for your children is to start a savings account for them at an early age and allow it to build up over the years. You can add gifts from family members or rewards for good grades and eventually let your children use the money for something like a car or deposit on a house. You may also want to start thinking about saving for college, if that is a route they want to take.
Teach them
The more you can teach your children before they move out, the easier things will be for them, and the less you have to worry when they’re not under your roof. This means things like budgeting, cooking, how to do their own laundry, and other general life skills. As important as it is for children to learn some things for themselves, you could really give them a head start by helping them figure some stuff out while they are in the safety of your home.
Create a strong support network
One thing you will both need – now and in the future – is a solid support network. This can be made up of family members and friends and will allow your child plenty of choices regarding who they can go to when things get rough in the future. Open up their social circle with a vast range of people from different cultures to teach them about the world, and allow them the amazing opportunity to have a fantastically diverse support network.
We can’t plan for every eventuality, and we certainly can’t do everything for our kids, but there are some ways that we can ensure a better future for our children. We can’t ensure that they’ll become a doctor or find love, but we can be sure that they are well-loved by us and looked after financially in the future.
