Confession: I never expected the word "will" to mean much to me until I realized I wanted to make, well... a family.
If you’re anything like me, you think about parenthood in terms of midnight feedings, adorable onesies, and possibly losing every sock you own, but not about drafting your estate plan. Yet, after stumbling upon Casey Cohen’s candid take on discussing estate planning with his daughter in Business Insider, I realized: The way we talk about "what ifs" now shapes our family’s security later.
But let’s be honest—who wants to talk about mortality while also researching baby names, fertility trackers, and insemination kits? I’d rather debate the best diaper brand or the most accurate ovulation app. Yet here we are, facing the conversation that feels as appealing as eating kale chips at a pizza party.
So, why should future parents—especially those venturing down the path of home insemination kits, IVF, adoption, or any alternative family-building journey—even bother with estate planning? Grab your favorite comfort beverage, because we’re about to open that (plainly packaged) box.
Wills, Wont’s, and "What Ifs": Why Estate Planning Is a Pre-Parenthood Power Move
Cohen, the CMO of The Estate Registry, bravely started estate chats with his daughter before she could even say “executor.” Why? Because future-proofing isn’t just about financial assets—it’s about emotional ones, too. Whether it's sperm vials in a freezer or baby books in the cloud, your legacy takes shape long before you read that positive test.
Ask yourself: - Who would care for your children if you weren’t there tomorrow? - What happens to your genetic material and embryos (yes, even those!) if you’re suddenly out of the picture? - Who gets to decide?
These are awkward—sometimes even tear-inducing—questions, but trust me, the only thing worse is not talking about them at all.
The Myth of "Too Soon" (Spoiler: It’s Already Time)
I get it. You’re still googling “home insemination kit reviews” and trying to decipher acronyms like TWW and DPO. Estate planning? Come on, that's for people with a yacht or at least a signature dish.
Or is it? Any time you make a conscious choice to grow your family, your financial and legal ducks deserve a little preening. And with more people choosing intimate, at-home fertility solutions (have you checked out MakeAMom’s discreet, cost-effective kits yet?), it’s never been easier—or more critical—to control your narrative.
Because let’s face it: Life is full of plot twists. Sometimes your next chapter involves late-night bottle feedings, sometimes…power of attorney documents. The real plot twist? Getting proactive means you might actually sleep better at night (even with an infant in the house).
"How Do I Even Start This Chat Without Sounding Like a Horror Movie Narrator?"
Here’s what I learned from Cohen and my own blunder-filled attempts:
- Skip the “if I die” and try “just in case.” Frame it as prepping for a rainy day, not the apocalypse.
- Keep it age-appropriate. For kids, talk about who would help them with homework if you couldn’t; for partners, talk logistics, not doom.
- Don’t go it alone. There are tons of resources for parents-to-be—especially those who take alternative paths to parenthood. Fertility clinics, legal advisors, and yes, even companies like MakeAMom (check their resources section!) offer info on storing embryos, donor agreements, and more.
- Document the basics. Who gets guardianship? Where are important papers kept? Who knows the Wi-Fi password? (Seriously, that last one is a lifesaver.)
Why This Matters for All Families—Especially Ours
If you’re on the baby-making journey via insemination kits, donor sperm, co-parenting, or any not-so-traditional road, your estate plan has extra wrinkles. Legal parentage, donor rights, embryo ownership—these aren’t things you want resolved mid-family crisis.
And for those using specialized aids like CryoBaby (for frozen sperm) or BabyMaker (hello, vaginismus warriors!), clarity is power. A wisely chosen, cost-effective kit might make conception less stressful, but a little legal clarity guarantees your family’s future, whatever it may hold.
The TL;DR:
- Starting a family isn’t just about the “how”—it’s about the “what if.”
- Estate planning is not morbid—it’s love in legalese.
- Resources are out there, whether you need insemination tips or advice on safeguarding your growing family’s future.
So, tell me: Have you had the talk yet? What’s holding you back—awkwardness, uncertainty, sheer denial, or all of the above? Drop your stories (or your best tips!) in the comments—we parents-in-the-making need all the help we can get.
May your planners be color-coded and your legacy be kinder than your high school yearbook photo.