This past week I returned to the scene. For the first time in over 25 years I walked through the doors of the Kentville hospital to visit my ailing father-in-law. My mind raced back to April 1993. April 6th to be exact, and it was the Kentville Regional Hospital in Nova Scotia. Nancy and I were there to deliver our baby. What an exciting day. After about 5 hours in labour, we were holding a beautiful baby boy of 9 pounds and 9 ounces. He was a big one. I will never forget the emotions I felt that day. Making babies is the easy part - the fun part. Raising them is the difficult part and as they get older it doesn't necessarily get any easier.
What's my responsibility as a dad?
During the first few months, babies seem more dependant on their moms than their dads. I felt like my job was to support his mother and change diapers, which I happily did. Dad's do have many responsibilities, especially financial ones.
It always erks me when I see or hear about a family in dire need as their dad has passed away tragically and now a family friend is doing a fundraiser to pay for a funeral and help support the single mom and her kids. Who's responsibility is it to look after the surviving mom and her kids? It's dads and it's really not that difficult or expensive.
Well, if the unexpected happened to me, I did not want my wife out looking for a meal ticket or my son remembering me as a sperm donor, so I got some life insurance that would provide for them until they got back on their feet. It's probably one of the most responsible things I ever did.
When I made a commitment to marry my wife I gladly took on the responsibility to care for her well-being for as long as I possibly could, even if I was hit by a bus. When I took my son home from the hospital I took on the responsibility to care for him and his mother for the rest of their lives. It's not only the right thing to do, but it's also the responsible and honourable thing to do because I am not a sperm donor, I'm a father and a husband who is committed to leaving a lasting legacy of reliability and respect.
When I hear the stories of a widow having to sell the family home and move into a low-income rental or back with her parents it pains me greatly and makes me think, what an irresponsible and selfish person to leave his family destitute.
Men, dads, husbands - do the right thing and get some life insurance to at least look after your family until the youngest child will be finished school. It's easier and cheaper than ever to get a term 20 policy. Insurance advisors are better than ever in getting you the right coverage at the right price. You have absolutely no excuse for putting this off. How much is the insurance on your truck, your ATV or your morocycle? Please don't tell me your toys are woth more than you or protecting your family!
There's your wake-up call - do not push snooze on this one!
Willis J Langford BA, MA, CFP
587-755-0159
>$500,000 of insurance on a 35 year old male: $32/month
