In case of emergency (question to parents)

[Harmon]

What do you parents’ do- or have planned to do with your kids in case of an emergency? Say you get in a car accident- your kids are okay, but you and your SO are hurt and have to stay in the hospital for a week or so- what do you have planned for child care?

I am looking for ideas for our daughter. She has grandparents but none are viable candidates, her uncles live to far away to be prospects.

 

[Aurora]

What do you parents’ do- or have planned to do with your kids in case of an emergency? Say you get in a car accident- your kids are okay, but you and your SO are hurt and have to stay in the hospital for a week or so- what do you have planned for child care?

I am looking for ideas for our daughter. She has grandparents but none are viable candidates, her uncles live to far away to be prospects.

We don't really have such a plan. I don't know of many people that "officially" do. I am sure if something were to happen to us, my grandparents would watch our daughter until either DShai's dad or my parents could come into town.

 

[Harmon]

We don't really have such a plan. I don't know of many people that "officially" do. I am sure if something were to happen to us, my grandparents would watch our daughter until either DShai's dad or my parents could come into town.

And if you didn't have access to grandparents? If your family had little interest?

I am not trying to egg something on, I am asking from a position of weakness here, my wife and I are pretty much of the mind that we are excluding our daughter's grandparents from care (they aren't the greatest people in the world).

 

[rom90125]

My wife and I took legal steps to have our three children raised by her sister and her sister's partner should something unforeseen happen to us. Additionally, we put clauses in our wills to ensure my family has an active role in the kids lives as they grow.

 

[chakken98]

My wife and I took legal steps to have our three children raised by her sister and her sister's partner should something unforeseen happen to us. Additionally, we put clauses in our wills to ensure my family has an active role in the kids lives as they grow.

Mine is also somewhat the same as Rom90125. But my wife and I have our will's stating that should anything happen to us (death) that my Wife's best friend would be the one to care for our children...But in the case of random long stayed hospital visits we will have my family or her brother come and watch our children for whatever time we would spend in the hospital. The biggest thing for you to consider is who you want to care for your child(ren), why do you want them compared to someone else, would your child be comfortable with this (these) people. There might be more to consider depending on your own ideas and issues. But these are 3 of 5 my wife and I spoke of when we made our plan

 

[Treebore]

Fortunately I have family I can trust, my brother and his wife. Plus, for short term, my wifes father and step mom are moving in next door tomorrow.

My brother is the only one I trust to finish raising our kids, though, in anything close to the way we want them to be raised. WE freely admit to how much our parents sucked.

 

[Ferret]

Whilst I don't know if my parents have a plan but I expect we would either look after our selves, or live at our aunties, she lives a minute down the road and has about 7 beds in her house.

Now, I do know my uncle has asked us to take care of his and his wife's daughter if something would happen, rather than his wife's family.

 

[Umbran]

What do you parents’ do- or have planned to do with your kids in case of an emergency? Say you get in a car accident- your kids are okay, but you and your SO are hurt and have to stay in the hospital for a week or so- what do you have planned for child care?

I am not a parent, but I know what my folks had planned for me - in my family, the role of "godparent" has little to do with religious education. Instead, it has everything to do with "if something shouldhappen to us, you'll make sure my kids are okay. My aunt was my godmother, and if anything shoujld have happened to my folks, she would have takne care of me.

 

[Treebore]

Whatever you decide, make sure to put it in writing, with many witnesses signing it as well. Have each witness keep a certified copy as well. Also give copies to the person, or persons, you decide to give the responsibility to. Plus, whoever you decide upon, ask them if they are willing.

It would probably be a good idea to set up a trust fund for your daughter. Into which all your life insurance monies and other liquidated assets are to go into. Then give very specific guidelines as to how these funds can be used for the care and raising of your daughter, etc... The right amount of money can break a saint, so help them stay honest.

Like in my case, if my wife and I were to die tomorrow, and all our assets were liquidated, our kids would be getting about a million, even after taxes.

We trust my brother, but we put limitations on the trust to help him stay honest, because he does have his own needs for his kids and family. So why weigh him down with temptation?

We simply give him $20,000 per year to help with raising our kids. Simple, should be plenty. Medical and college costs are pretty well covered as is. So it will help him with his utilities, mortgage, food and clothing costs. It should be a big help to him. Even with the costs of our kids he should have plenty of extra to help him. Plus our kids will get their Social Security benefits in addition to all of that.

I aqree this is definitely something to think about and plan for. As you can see, we already have as well.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

I'm not a parent, but I am a lawyer, which means I always have an opinion.

1) Try finding other parents in your area you can trust, and make mutual arrangements with them for emergency child care, especially emergency contact numbers.

2) If you have one, talk to your religious advisor about services available through your congregation.

3) As 2, above, check with your local government to see what kind of services are offered by the city and/or state. What you find out may either relax you or galvanize you to action. I have heard but cannot confirm that some school counselors are particularly knowledgable.

4) If the only people you trust with your kids are out-of-towners & you can afford it, find a way to get them some kind of method to either get the kids to them or bring them to the kids- some kind of pre-bought plane/train tickets, or some kind of emergency credit/debit card ($1K limit or so) that is never used...

5) Make a will. Plan your estate. Make sure the trustees/executors/guardians are all people or institutions you trust. Reexamine your plan every 5 years, and every time there is a major life changing event (death, divorce, adoption, lottery, etc.) in your immediate family.

6) Give your kids little (playing card sized) laminated cards they can carry that have contact numbers for anyone and everyone you think should be notified in case of emergencies. I know it sounds obvious, but include all of your contact info as well!