Choosing a Guardian for Your Children: Should You Ask Family or Not?

When it comes to choosing someone to care for your children in the event of your death, many people turn to those that they love the most: their family. They can only imagine their parents or siblings raising their children.

However, you might want to think outside of your family to find the perfect person or family to raise your children. You may have some close family friends who would be willing to help you out if you are killed.

So, should you choose your family?

Here are some reason why you should keep it in the family.

Your family members already love your children, so it is only natural that you turn to them. You may want to think about giving guardianship to your parents or siblings because they are probably your first choice.
Your children are also used to them. Most of the time, your children are used to spending time with their grandparents and aunts, uncles, and cousins. They are comfortable being around them and already turn to them for help and advice.
They are also used to their homes. Besides spending time with them, they are used to being in their homes. They probably spend days and even nights at their homes, so they are comfortable being in their home. It won’t be that big of an adjustment to move there.
Though this isn’t a good reason, you might choose your family because you don’t want to upset their feelings. If you are killed, your parents may be banking on the fact that they are going to get your children. If they don’t, their feelings are going to be really hurt, even if they can’t take care of your children. However, you can’t choose someone because you don’t want to hurt their feelings. You need to think about your children and their needs (both now and in the future).

Here are some reasons why you shouldn’t.

Your parents may not be up for the challenge. Many parents can’t wait to be grandparents. However, that doesn’t mean that they want to raise children again. Your parents may not be able to care for your children every day, especially if they have health issues.
You aren’t close to your family. Some families aren’t close. So much so, that they may not even know your children. Sending your children to live with someone that they don’t know is really hard on them. You will be adding to their grief. They just lost you so they deserve someone who knows and loves them.
You may also have different values than others in your family. If your values differ greatly than those in your family, you might want to choose a person or family who will treat your children the way that you want them too. If you want them to be raised a certain way, you need to find the person who can do that for you.

Choosing the right guardian can be hard. You don’t want to step on anyone’s feet, but you need to choose the right person or family for the job. This may be your parents or siblings, but it doesn’t have to be.

If you are really close to your family and you feel like they are up to it, you should definitely appoint them to be your children’s guardian. If not, you shouldn’t feel bad for appointing someone else.

You need to choose someone that your children love and care for. Their comfort is more important than those around you. You want them to be happy in their home and have a childhood similar to the one that you were trying to give them!