prefund

Estate Planning for New Parents

Taking care of our children is one of the most satisfying and rewarding things we will ever do, and it is hard to imagine a world where they are growing up without us, or where our spouse is suddenly a single parent with insufficient resources.

You might be surprised to learn that you already have an estate plan – the California default estate plan. Your minor children will be placed where it is “necessary and convenient” until a formal guardianship proceeding is held. Your assets will be liquidated through probate and held in trust for your minor children, who will receive cash when they are 18 years old.  If you are suddenly unable to care for yourself or take care of your own financial affairs, your family, including your spouse, may have to go to court to get permission to make financial and health care decisions for you.

With a personalized estate plan that includes a revocable or “living” trust, you decide when your children receive their inheritance.  You can protect them from receiving money when it might do more harm than good (divorce, litigation, addiction). A trust can also keep your family out of probate court – where everything (your assets, your debts, your heirs) is made public and the process is time consuming and expensive.

With a personalized guardianship nomination designation, you can provide a vision for your children’s future by providing the guardians with instructions on where you would like your children to live, what type of education is important to you, and who you want to have in, and out, of your children’s lives. You can even specify a spiritual advisor or ask the guardians to take your children to see the Giants play at least once a year.

You don't need to be "ready" to do an estate plan. You don't need to have your ducks in a row or your finances in order. You don't even need "an estate".

You only need to be willing to face the task head on and start. I can help you figure out the rest.  I hope you will attend my workshop at Recess.

estate planning recess

I provide highly personalized estate planning services to families with young children. In addition to my workshop on estate planning fundamentals and guardianship nomination for families, I will have information on low cost estate planning options, tips on choosing the right estate planning attorney for your family, and I will bring my notary materials in case anyone would like to have statutory durable powers of attorney or advance health care directives notarized. Email me if you would like the forms – patricia@defontelaw.com

More information at: www.defontelaw.com

Hey you, get some sleep! Developing healthy Sleep Habits.

Infant Sleep Workshop and Q&A

In our weekly New Parent Groups, we start out with introductions, baby's age, and sharing some of the past week's successes and challenges.  Inevitably 90% of the parents in attendance share their latest sleep roadblocks. Sleep is tough for new parents!  Heck, it's tough for all parents.  

Expecting parents, you are invited to come learn how to instill healthy sleep habits while you can still absorb lots of information (pre-sleep depreviation). It is a super valuable gift for your family.  

This week, on April 18, we're thrilled to have Dr. Angelique Millette, sleep consultant (and mama) join us via Zoom.  During the workshop, we will discuss the importance of establishing good sleep routines, a regular schedule and consistencies for healthy happy sleep habits in the first year. We will discuss any current sleep struggles that you are having and/or how to improve common sleep issues; including naptime/bedtime/ overnight sleep troubles, self‐ soothing struggles, and others. We will also go over many sleep tips and Angelique is happy to answer questions...so be sure to bring them! 

Common topics include:

  • Baby (0–12 months) sleep needs

  • Importance of routines in sleep habits and patterns

  • Developmental milestones, when they occur, what to do

  • Guidelines on prevention of SIDS

  • Sleep methods: no/low cry, sleep training

  • Sleeping arrangements: co-sleeping, room-sharing, crib-sleeping

  • Naps

  • Feeding at night and dropping night feeds


About Dr. Angelique Millette
She is a parent educator, pediatric sleep consultant, family sleep researcher, lactation educator. She specializes in family sleep solutions and how parents can meet their own sleep needs while helping their young ones meet theirs.

Welcome, little one! Recess for Under 1's

The first days and months of parenthood (not to mention the nine months leading up to it all) are a crazy trip.  The highest highs and the lowest lows are balanced with the most incredible snuggles and hours on end of pure awe.  

As you find your way through the early days getting to know your little one, we invite you to venture out when you're ready, start to build your new parent community, find folks you connect with, and take in a little support where you need it. We're thrilled to be able to some unique offerings to new mamas and papas (yes, papas are welcome here, too!).  

  • New Parent Groups (Mondays at 12:30)

  • Free Newborn Membership - Explore the Playspace (anytime!)

  • Playspace Activities (Tuesdays at 11 am & Thursdays at Noon)

  • Bring your questions to our Drop-in, Moderated Playgroup in the Playspace. (Most Thursdays 11-1). Are teeth emerging? How do you engage your baby through play? What can you do to support development? Sleep??! Come on in anytime during these casual groups to get information, meet other parents, and ease into a space that has your needs in mind as well as your child's.

  • Arrange meet ups with parent friends. Many of us in San Francisco don't have enough room to invite a playgroup over to our homes, and the finicky weather makes planning a day in the park a bit tricky...but Recess has plenty of space to host your next gathering. Anything from a casual, "Let's meet in the playspace around 2," to a "I'm organizing a handful of families to come together for a potluck." We have an incredible amount of space and have all the accouterments needed for infants, toddlers and preschoolers to stay happy. Most importantly, this kid space is also equipped with necessities for grown ups to feel comfortable (including, but not limited to, coffee!).

  • Easing back into the working world? Check out our co-working space. We offer childcare for infants 3mo+. Members can also book appointments for drop-off childcare. This is great for the occasional break, doctor's appointment, pedicure, nap...whatever you need. Let us know if you'd like to get more info!

Is there something else you'd like to see at Recess?  Please...don't hesitate to let us know!