It's time to start thinking about whether to wallpaper the extra bedroom in pink or blue - your child is on the way. With your growing family, you're probably doing all you can to save and invest for the future. But is that enough?

You have big plans for your kids and want to see them realize their hopes and dreams. It's hard enough to make that happen with you in the picture. But what if you or your spouse - or both of you - were suddenly out of the picture? From diapers to diplomas, would there be enough income to pay for day care, a college education, and everything in between? Or would their life be changed forever, and not for the best?

Your children are your greatest responsibility, and life insurance can help them to grow up in a stable environment, one in which they are physically safe and financially secure, if something were to happen to you.

To raise one child born in 2000 to age 18 in a household with an income of between $39,100 and $65,800 comes to more than $249,180.  Source: USDA 2001 annual report  How much life insurance do you have?