This newsletter continues our series on the six common mistakes parents make when naming guardians for their children.  MISTAKE #4.  YOU MAY HAVE CONSIDERED FINANCIAL RESOURCES OF POTENTIAL GUARDIANS WHEN DECIDING WHO SHOULD RAISE YOUR CHILDREN.

            In thinking about who to name as guardian, you wanted to make sure that your children would not go wanting and that the person you named could afford to feed, clothe and educate them.  So you decided to name your rich Uncle, Ebenezer, to serve as their guardian.  Old Uncle Ebenezer is very wealthy, good with money and can easily afford to raise your children.  Unfortunately, although Ebenezer has money, there is much else that he lacks.  In fact, naming him as guardian might actually be detrimental to your children.

            Your children’s guardians will be the people in charge of their emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being, not necessarily just their money.  It is your responsibility to leave enough money behind to take care of your children, either through savings or an adequate amount of life insurance.  You even can choose to name one set of guardians to take care of the children personally and another set of guardians to take care of your children financially, if the best choice of guardians is not “good with money” people.

            It is far more important that you choose a guardian that matches your list of parenting values rather than one who is financially independent.  Providing your children with love and good values should be a prominent consideration.  Ebenezer’s “Bah Humbug” ! attitude likely would not be your first choice in desirable character traits for your child’s guardian.

             Another important point is that not only parents, but also grandparents, can ask about these important questions.   Don’t let “Bah Humbug” ruin the spirit of your children or grandchildren!   Any grandparents reading this issue should feel free to pass this newsletter on to their children.