The other day, I watched a little boy tell his mother with sparkling eyes, “When I grow up, I want to be rich!” His mother smiled and asked, “And how will you do that?” The boy shrugged, “Easy. I’ll get your money when you’re gone.”
It was an innocent remark, but it made me stop and think. Children today are smarter and bolder than we give them credit for. They know about money earlier than we ever did. But do they truly understand what it means to manage it?
And more importantly, as parents, do we prepare them to handle wealth — not just hand it over?
Money Without Guidance Is a Fragile Gift
I’ve seen families where children inherited everything too soon. Some spent it recklessly within years. Others were manipulated by people who saw them as easy prey. What was meant to be a blessing became a burden.
That’s when it hit me: it’s not enough to leave behind wealth. We must leave behind wisdom.
Proper estate planning isn’t about writing down numbers on paper. It’s about creating a structure that protects our children from risks they can’t yet see, and from mistakes they’re not ready to avoid.
More Than Just “Who Gets What”
When we think of estate planning, many picture a list of names and assets. But it is so much more. It is a reflection of our values.
Do we want our children to inherit at 18, when they’re barely stepping into adulthood? Or do we wait until they’ve grown wiser, maybe at 25 or 30, when they can make decisions with maturity?
Do we simply divide wealth equally, or do we also think about their education, their stability, or even special needs one child might have?
These aren’t just financial decisions — they’re acts of love.
Parenting Beyond Our Lifetime
We often say parenting never ends. I believe estate planning is proof of that. It’s how we continue to guide, nurture, and protect our children even when we’re no longer here to hold their hands.
A Will can ensure they know our wishes. A Trust can make sure our wishes are respected. But most importantly, thoughtful planning ensures our children inherit more than money — they inherit security, dignity, and a future built on love.
My Reflection
As a parent, I don’t want my child to just say, “My parents left me money.”
I want them to say, “My parents thought of me. They protected me. They prepared me.”
Because at the end of the day, estate planning is not about dollars. It’s about love written into the future.
And perhaps that’s the greatest inheritance of all.
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