Today’s Parenting Tip:

DECIDE:   To help your child understand more about pets.

PRACTICE:   Today, help your child ask neighbors whether they have a pet. If they do, have your child ask why they selected the pet they have.

Possible questions:

• What type of pet do you have?
• What breed or species do you have?
• What is it like to take care of your pet?
• What do you like about your pet?
• What do you dislike about your pet?
• What type of pet would you get if you got another pet?
• If you don’t have a pet, why not?

Help your child do some math using the answers. For example, what answer was given the most? The least?

Did men answer differently than women? Grown-ups differently than children?

How many did have pets compared to those who did not? Was it close to the 9 out of 10 that Dr. Melson, says is usually the case?

Today’s Decide and Practice daily parenting tip was inspired by our featured picture book, PICK A PUP.  Read the book to a child in your life each day as a reminder of what you are deciding and practicing that day.

Come back each day for another good parenting decision and how to practice it. (Each day’s activity will also be posted on the Daily Parenting Tips page for easy access.)

Read the whole story at Kids and Pets: The Basics.