Caring for a pet is an excellent way for your children to learn responsibility and other important life lessons. Since the pandemic began, the pause has meant paws for many families who took the pet ownership plunge as they found themselves spending unprecedented amounts of time at home. In fact, dog and cat shortages have been reported by many shelters and breeders in recent months. With adults and kids continuing to work or attend school remotely in large numbers, there’s still ample opportunity for many to bring a “pandemic pet” into the home. Here are some of the ways that caring for a pet can help your child grow and develop.

School started several weeks ago and now families across the country may now have an opportunity to reevaluate the distant learning or in-person plan. Some communities are experiencing an uptick in Covid-19 cases while others are not. School buildings are either closing temporarily or going fully remote, where others are just starting a blended/hybrid model.

About 4.4 million children have been diagnosed with anxiety, according to the Centers for Disease Control, and anxiety symptoms have increased since the COVID-19 crisis began. The start of the school year has exacerbated the anxiety level for many, as children are separating from their families for the first time in six months and finding that their school has a markedly different look and feel, with all the masked faces and new social distancing and handwashing routines. Kids may worry (with good reason) about whether it’s safe for them to be at school. Those kids who are attending school virtually may have increased anxiety, as well, as they worry whether life as they knew it will ever return. Here are some ways to help kids cope with anxiety as they adjust to the current normal.

About half (51 percent) of parents reported they were “extremely” or
“very” concerned about sending their children back to school in an
Axios/Ipsos poll last month. As the pandemic continues, parents across
the nation are weighing the benefits of in-person instruction versus the
risk that their child will contract COVID-19 at school and bring it home
to the other members of the household.
While some schools have gone 100 percent virtual for the foreseeable
future, others are offering in-person instruction, either five days a week
or perhaps as an A-day/B-day model, where half the kids come one day
and then have virtual instruction the next, and vice versa. If your school
offers the option of online versus in-person classes, here are some of the
factors to mull over as you make your decision.

Kids want so many things, from the latest toys and video games to trendy clothes and sports equipment. But though the universe of things to buy is unlimited, money is not. So kids need to learn how to spend their limited resources wisely. Here are five ways that you can help your kids see that by shopping smart, they can get more for their money.  

Some of the best things are free

Kids can enjoy some of the items on their wish list for no money at all. Books, movies and even many video games can be borrowed from the local library for free. Naturally, the item has to be returned on time to avoid late fees, and your child won’t be able to keep it forever. But chances are, when it’s due back, your child will be ready to move on to something else.