We don't like to think about terminal illness or death. The thought of our loved ones being forced to suffer our passing is so painful that many of us put off the unpleasant duty of setting our affairs in order. Many stay-at-home moms never even think about the possibility of meeting with an accident or becoming ill.



The only thing worse than leaving your family, however, is leaving them unprepared. Making a plan to cover the worst case scenario isn't morbid; it's the right and loving thing to do. The odds are against such a plan ever being implemented, but in case of disaster it could prove the greatest gift you could give those you leave behind.

Insurance

A good life insurance policy ensures that your family will not be burdened with the costs of a funeral and burial in the event of your unexpected death. Term life insurance for stay-at-home moms is normally very low. You can probably take out an adequate policy with a premium of less than 50 cents per day.

This will cover your death expenses as well as providing money for your family to live on while they recover and decent childcare for when your husband has to return to work. There is really no excuse for not having at least a minimum amount of term life insurance.

Insure your husband as well, in case something were to happen to him; you will need to pay off your debts and house loan and afford to live while you plan out what to do. Make each other beneficiaries, and name a trusted third party to administrate the estate for your children in case the worst should happen and both of you were deceased.

Guardianship

If you and your husband were both gone, who would you want to raise your children? This doesn't have to be the same person who administers their estate; in fact, in some cases it is better to separate the two aspects.

You and your husband should decide upon prospective guardians, and meet with them to convey your wishes. Plan to revisit your decision as your children grow and their needs change. The best guardians for a three and five year old might not be the best pick ten years later with two teens to handle.

Living Wills

This is a difficult subject for most families, and in case the very worse happens you need to be perfectly clear on what actions should be taken to prolong your life. It is almost impossible for a family member in shock and grief to make rational decisions, and your forethought can save them untold anguish if you clearly state your wishes.

If you do not wish for your life to be prolonged through artificial means, and if you want your organs donated in case of a brain dead state then you need to have very clear instructions available to save your loved ones from agonizing over these decisions.

None of these subjects are comfortable to think about, but the alternative is worse. Hopefully all your careful planning will be completely unnecessary and the paperwork will sit undisturbed in a safe deposit box until it is obsolete, but it never hurts to prepare for every eventuality - and it is truly the responsible thing for every stay at home mom to do.