Today’s Parenting Tip:

DECIDE:   Your child can benefit from being responsible for a pet.

PRACTICE:   Select a chore that is necessary to take care of a pet that you own now or may own someday.

Break the chore down into parts.  For example, cleaning a cage = removing old paper, washing the cage, adding fresh paper.

Remember to talk about how the chore needs to be done in order to meet your expectations.

If you own a pet now, assign a new pet chore to your child – one he has the skill and maturity to handle. Break it down into parts and talk about how the chore needs to be done to meet your expectations.

For a young child, have him do just one part of the chore for a few days. When it is done well most days, add other parts.

Be sure to celebrate work well done.

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.