Maintaining your relationship with your spouse or partner post-baby must be handled exactly like managing your mutual fund portfolio within your RESP.
To prove my point, consider the following passage taken word for word directly from Investopedia, in which I have added (brackets) to illustrate how an investment strategy is no different than managing your relationship:
“...If your mutual fund (relationship) is yielding a lower return (satisfaction) than you anticipated, you may be tempted to cash in your fund units (end it) and invest your money elsewhere (start dating again). The rate of return of other funds may look enticing (the grass is always greener), but be careful: there are both pros and cons to the redemption of your mutual fund shares, (it may start hot and heavy, but, in a few months, you’ll be back where you started).
The first thing you need to understand is that mutual funds (relationships) are not synonymous with stocks (sex). So, a decline in the stock market (frequency of sex) does not necessarily mean that it is time to sell the fund (have an affair). Stocks are driven by the "buy low, sell high" (act now, regret later) rationale, which explains why, in a falling stock market (when you’re not getting any at home), many investors panic and quickly dump all of their stock-oriented assets (blame their lover).
Mutual funds (relationships) are portfolios of financial instruments (complicated) chosen by a portfolio or fund manager (the power of love) in accordance with the fund's strategy (promise rings, vows or common law). An advantage of this portfolio of assets is diversification (you’re not living with your parents).
There are many types of mutual funds (relationships), and their degrees of diversification vary (arranged marriage, shotgun wedding, lavalife). Within all mutual funds (relationships), however, the decline of one or a few of the stocks (sex life) can be offset by other assets within the portfolio (toys or aids) that are either holding steady or increasing in value (reminders of your college years).
Because mutual funds (relationships) are diverse portfolios (complicated), relying only on market timing (your state of mind right after having a baby) to sell your fund (leave) may be a useless strategy since a fund's portfolio (the other benefits) may represent different kinds of markets (are worth it). Also, because mutual funds (relationships) are geared toward long-term returns (‘til death do you part), a rate of return that is lower than anticipated during the first year (baby brain) is not necessarily a sign to sell (that you’ve gone insane).
Conclusion
Selling a mutual fund (ending a relationship) isn't something you do impulsively, without a great deal of thought and consideration. Remember that you originally invested in your mutual fund (chose your spouse or partner) because you were confident in it, so make sure you are clear on your reasons for letting it go...”
So, as you can see, no matter how bad things seem, always focus on the long-term horizon before considering crystallizing your losses. And when things get really rocky, it never hurts to consult a financial planner, (Rabbi, Priest, Ordained Minister, Oprah).
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