We Added a Furry Friend to the Family!
TIPS ON HOW TO INTRODUCE A PET TO CHILDREN
your new pet might be. They will be in a new environment with people they don’t know — so you want them to be as comfortable as possible.
Owning a pet can be fun and exciting for the entire family. However, introducing animals to children can be stressful, and when your children meet your new pet, you want to start things on the right foot (and paw!). So, how do you go about doing this? Educating Children on Pet Care Before bringing your four-legged family member home, it’s best to sit down with your kids and teach them how to treat and care for a pet. They should pet their new friend politely and make sure the animal is comfortable. Teach them what a cat or dog looks like when they’re happy, scared, or annoyed.
First, allow your new pet to venture around the home and check things out. Once they’re acquainted with their surroundings, it’s time for them to meet the kids. If you have multiple kids, have each child meet your new pet one at a time. You also want two guardians involved during the introduction — one can keep an eye on the furry friend, and the other can help the children. It’s also best to keep your new pet on a leash or harness if you need to separate them from anyone.
Next, establish boundaries on what is and isn’t okay for your pet to eat and how to play with and care for them. You can also take this time to discuss the potential risks of owning a pet and what could happen if your child improperly handles them. Don’t forget to talk about dog or cat bites, scratching, and other behaviors. Preparing the Introduction When it’s finally time to bring your new family member home, inform your children about how nervous
Remembering the Acronym PAWS Teach your children to pause before approaching the
animal. Have them ask if they can pet or play with the new four-legged friend. After your child waits for permission, have them gently offer a hand for your pet to sniff to see if they want to interact. If you need further guidance on introducing a new pet to your family or want to know how to train your furry friend, contact your local veterinarian for additional information.
BRINGING YOUR TEEN’S SIGNIFICANT OTHER ON VACATION
Are You or Your Child Ready for It?
one teen (or both) more on the rebellious side? Assess how your teen’s relationship with their boyfriend or girlfriend is going. Are they respectful of each other’s boundaries and ideals? How comfortable are they going on a trip with the other person involved? Additionally, having a good relationship with your child’s significant other and their family is essential. You want to ensure your child is safe, comfortable, and protected, whether on vacation with you or another family. When making a decision, should you involve your child? While you may have the final say, you should let your teenager know their involvement matters. This will help your relationship tremendously. There isn’t a “right answer” to when your child should go on vacation with their boyfriend or girlfriend’s family or vice versa. But with open communication, you will find the best solution for everyone.
Summer is quickly approaching! However, this time it may be different. Your teenager might ask to go on vacation with their significant other, whether with your family or theirs. But is your teen ready for something like this?
A handbook doesn’t exist for this scenario since each family has different circumstances. However, keep a few things in mind when making this decision.
Which values matter most? Every family has different cultures, morals, beliefs, and ways of doing things. First, consider if your child’s request aligns with your family’s values. Likewise, you need to touch base with the parents of your teen’s significant other to see what they think. After gathering all the needed information, process your thoughts and determine if their values align with yours. Do you trust your child and their partner? Your comfort level with your child’s judgment is a significant factor to consider. Are both teens responsible, honest, and conscientious? Or is
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