Something that you may know by now about me is that I'm not exactly superstitious, but rather cautious - especially in terms of having children. I think we all know someone who was expecting a baby, ran out to register for things or even had a house full of baby items only to have to cancel the registry or return everything when the pregnancy was lost. Or those who had told everyone about the impending arrival of their newest adoption only to have the adoption fall through. We've all heard these stories - and maybe I've just heard one too many which makes me cautious when approaching the issue of adding children to my family.

My husband and I - on my request - didn't talk about a Hebrew name for Anna until we were up to that point in the process. I won't discuss the idea of a Hebrew name for Adam, I won't look into the issues relating to a brit milah (circumcision) for him because I don't want to have things set in my mind only to have things fall through.

But we did get life insurance before we had children. And we revised our will the day Anna was adopted.

I don't think it's superstitious or inviting fate to do so - rather the opposite. I think it behooves us all as parents to provide direction and financial stability for our children in the event that something happens to us. And why would we want to put our children's legal status back in the hands of the courts - our children who have already been through so much in their lives through adoption would need stability and permanency should something G-d forbid happen to us.

So if any of you out there do not yet have life insurance or have not yet designated guardians for your children in a legally binding will - do so now. It is the ultimate responsibility of every parent.