Each one of us wishes to ensure the safety and happiness of our little ones. This can translate to giving them the best education, looking after their needs and wants, and raising them to be good and productive members of society.
Just as it is crucial to take care of your children during your life, it is equally imperative to ensure their well-being in case you are no longer in their lives.
While this is a topic no one wants to talk about, nor something they want to imagine, one characteristic of a responsible parent is being prepared for the worst. As gut-wrenching as it sounds, this includes naming a guardian for your child in case of your demise.
Generally, people tend to struggle in deciding who to choose as their child’s guardian. If you are one of them, don’t worry. We have compiled a list of factors you must consider when making this critical decision.
- Experience with children
Not everyone can deal with children. There is a reason why some people choose not to have them. When choosing your child’s guardian, you need to ensure that you don’t select family members who don’t have experience with children or those who don’t wish to raise their own.
Remember, here; experience doesn’t necessarily mean having kids of your own. Instead, it refers to people who haven’t been surrounded by children at all. For instance, do you have a sister who hates being among kids but is financially stable? She might not be the best choice.
Instead, look at relatives that are able to care for and connect with your child and other little members of your family. Usually, such people are easy to detect. They are the ones your kids are most excited to meet and least thrilled about leaving behind.
- Shared values
Every family has different sets of values and wishes to pass out to the next generations. Things that matter to you might not matter as much to the different members of your family. But, what if you wish to ensure that your children are brought up with the values that matter to you?
This is why it is imperative to first quantify the moral values that you care about. This can include traits like generosity, honesty, kindness, and empathy. Values don’t just encompass morality. Instead, they also include religious and spiritual elements.
List them all down and see which of the people close to you can best raise your child to grow up with the set of values you wish to include in their life.
- The environment of the house
There is more to raising children than teaching them the right set of values and providing them with education. You must also provide them with a positive, stable, and healthy household.
For instance, let’s say you have a brother who likes traveling the world and changing their houses every few years. While it may seem like the perfect life to live for children, such a household can prove to be toxic. Why? This is because it involves leaving their comfort, friends, and school behind and adjusting to a new environment.
Therefore, it is suggested to instead select people that have a stable environment. It is also advised to choose someone who is as similar to your lifestyle as possible. So, if you live in the countryside, choosing a guardian who lives in the city should not be your first choice.
- Health and physical well-being
The last thing you would want to do is leave your children at the hands of someone who isn’t able to be there for them. Therefore, you must make sure that the guardian you choose is physically fit. Also, select someone who is young enough to raise your child, all the way to your child’s adulthood.
Childrearing is a strenuous task, especially if the children are young. People with ailments and physical disabilities might find it quite challenging. While this doesn’t necessarily mean that they won’t be good parents, it is still better to be safe and select someone who is healthy.
Not only does this ensure that your child is given the best care, but it also makes sure that undue pressure and responsibility is not placed on someone who will have a hard time fulfilling them.
- Willingness to be a guardian
A given person can be perfect on paper to be your child’s guardian. But what if they don’t want to be one?
Don’t make the mistake of assuming that your friends and family won’t mind raising your children. Always ask their permission before adding them to your will.
If you don’t, you might be setting your family as well as children up for a court battle whose verdict you won’t be able to control.
Be upfront with the potential guardian. Make sure they are physically and mentally ready for the responsibility and aren’t merely agreeing in the heat of the moment.
How to make it legal?
Once you have decided the guardian for your child, the next step is to make it legal by giving them guardianship in case of unforeseen circumstances.
At such times, you must first seek the help of experts. Try to opt for someone who operates within the same city and state as your residence. This will ensure that they are well-versed in the laws of the state. So, if you live in Plano, seek the best guardianship attorney Plano, Texas, has to offer.
This decision will be added to your will. And while it may seem like a challenge, it is a decision you won’t regret. Also, in case you change your mind about the guardian, you can change your will whenever you feel the need. After all, what may seem like the right choice today may not seem so years later.
Ending Remarks
Naming a guardian for your beloved children is quite overwhelming. It’s something you pray dearly never comes into effect. Yet, choosing a backup guardian is very important for the well-being of your children.
So, regardless of how hard the decision is, you need to take it. And you need to make the right choice.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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