5 Important Ways To Protect Your Family

There are certain topics we’d rather avoid as parents. But what if “the worst thing” happened to your or your spouse? Or not even “the worst” but a medical condition, financial situation, or other disaster? Here’s five important ways you can protect your family:

1. Create a will – Although of course a will is important for distributing assets, the most important reason (to my mind) to have a will is so you can specify who will be your children’s guardians should you pass.

2. Choose a guardian wisely – If you don’t specify who will take guardianship of your children, the courts decide. And aren’t you the best person to make that decision? Choose someone who fits your lifestyle and values and who will raise your kids according to your expectations.

3. Buy health insurance – Okay, so we’re off the topic of dying, but still, serious illness and injuries can be financially debilitating. Even pregnancy and childbirth – reason to rejoice – can set a family back thousands of dollars. You can find afforable health plans online that will cover your family and protect your financial welfare in times of health crisis. Medical debt is a leading cause of bankruptcy in our country. It’s stressful enough to have a parent seriously ill, but to have to worry about financial loss too adds yet another burden.

4. Have an emergency plan – In order to stay calm, you need to have a plan for emergency situations. Determine where you will evacuate to if necessary. Outline steps for reuniting if separated. Keep recent photos of your children, ID, and important papers ready to grab easily.

5. Teach your children to be safe – Kids can memorize easily and early – have them learn their name, address, phone number, and how to call 9-1-1 as soon as possible. Teach them where they can go for safety. Talk openly about dangers and discuss how they would react to various situations.

These are uneasy topics, but they are ones parents must consider and prepare for in order to protect their children and family.

What other important steps do you take to be sure your family is protected?