Today’s Parenting Tip:

DECIDE:   You can know the difference between needs and wants.

PRACTICE:   Today, think about the difference between your needs and your wants.

On one side of a piece of paper list needs.  On the other side list wants.

Think carefully about the things listed as needs. Ask yourself why you need each thing. Be honest with yourself.

Needs are things that are necessary for a safe and healthy life. Wants are things that add pleasure and interest to life. If the needs items don’t measure up when you think about it, move them to wants.

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: More about Responsibility, Love, Independence, and Loss.