Growing your family is a big decision—whether you’re considering an additional child or a four-legged friend. You’ll need to think about how your new family member will affect your day-to-day routine, your big future plans, your finances and so much more, but for many, a dedicated furry companion is worth it! We teamed up with Hill’s Pet Nutrition to hear from five moms about how their families decided to bring a pet into the mix:
Mom-of-two Heather grew up with dogs, so having a pet in her family was a must. Even though her kids are young, Heather says she thinks growing up with pets definitely helps in developing compassion, empathy, responsibility and consistency.
Even though her daughter had been asking about a pet for months, Texas-based mom Ryan didn’t plan to adopt a cat. But when her family ended up at an adoption event and met their cat Neville, they knew he was the one. Their cat has been in their home for a few years now and has become a close companion for their two kids.
Jamie Lynn knew that she wanted a dog for her family, the hard part was finding the best time to add a pup to her home. When her youngest daughter turned four and could understand how to be friendly with a big dog, she decided it was the perfect time to get her Goldendoodle Jessie!
Like most of us, Annmarie spent a lot more time at home in the last year. With big changes already happening, including a newborn, Annmarie decided to add another change to her family’s day-to-day by adopting a puppy, Geno! She was nervous about how her infant and dog would get along, but the two are best friends.
Mom-of-two Ashley has a full house with two dogs and a cat! When they were thinking about getting their second dog, Ginger, they considered how their two daughters would be able to help out. The kids have become best friends with Ginger and take turns feeding her and taking her for walks.
When I was little, I always knew I was in trouble by the size of my mother’s eyes. If I did something wrong, her eyes widened to reveal every inch of white and her disappointment. My Mom was never a yeller—she always spoke in an even tone, and communicated very well about what we needed to correct regarding our behavior or attitude. I believe the way she reacted taught me and my siblings many lessons about respect.
Remember respect? I feel like this is a lost virtue in the world today, especially between children and adults. Somehow we have communicated to children that they are equal with adults, and I don’t know about you, but that’s not the world I grew up in! We were taught to respect our elders; to learn from our elders.
Now, let me clarify: respecting our elders does NOT mean we teach our children to not respect themselves, or suppress their voices or discourage them from even finding their voices. Respect is something we have to teach by example, and once that is accomplished, respect should be a mutual dance that is done easily and instinctively. But, it starts in the sandbox. And it starts with you.
First, it’s gut-check time: how are you showing your children what respect means and what respect is? I am a visual learner, and I believe most kids are. You want to show them how to treat people, not just tell them. As a parent or caretaker, let’s take inventory of how you treat your friends, family, strangers, etc? More importantly, how do you treat others when you don’t agree with them?
I see parents yelling at the TV because they’re watching the news and they disagree with commentators. To think your kids aren’t watching you, hearing you, or taking in your energy is shortsighted. That moment, as small as you may think it is, speaks volumes. What you are teaching your child, as they watch your emotions get the best of you, is that if you disagree with someone or something, you can yell/scream/cuss—whatever you want because you “feel like it.”
I understand that we can’t edit our reactions, nor should we try and suppress emotions, but I do believe we need to teach our children that there is a right and wrong way to react and to communicate our feelings. Perhaps they are just getting in tussles on the playground right now, but they will have bigger problems later in life that you need to prepare them for now. They will be faced with challenging moments that stress them out; hurt them; incite them, etc. It’s our job to give them the tools to react to whatever arena they’re dropped in with the self-respect, and respect of others, that they and we all deserve.
This may sound like a daunting task what I am asking, but if you step back, I am not asking anything from you that isn’t basic: it comes down to manners. Saying “please,” “thank you,” “pardon me,” “I appreciate you,” etc. We need to give our kids this language and we need to remember to practice it, too. Holding doors for people, being a helper when we see someone in need, approaching people from a place of empathy and compassion, etc—these are all lessons we need to teach our children, and the only way to successfully do that is by showing them how we treat others and how we treat them. Yes, you read that right—treating our children with respect is how they learn to respect themselves and respect others.
We also have to be mindful of our village: the people influencing our children. Maybe this is extended family, grandparents, friends, teachers, or even our children’s friends. You are the company you keep, as they say. This is yet another lesson our kids need to learn from the jump. If they hang around troublemakers, chances are they are going to get into more mischief. You can’t always control who your children choose as friends, but you certainly need to be paying attention to it. Sometimes your child’s behavior, especially if erratic or if you’re seeing changes over time, is being influenced by something or, more likely, someone.
If you ever witness your children’s friends being disrespectful, I give you permission to step in. I am not telling you to spank or punish, but you certainly have the authority to let that child know that there are rules in your house and specific behavior won’t be tolerated. Of course, there is a fine line we don’t want to cross when it comes to correcting or disciplining other people’s children, but try to remember that you’re measuring it based on the values of your home. It’s simple: either they align with your values or they don’t. And, if they don’t, then maybe that friendship isn’t meant to be.
Regardless of your definition of respect, there is one thing we can all agree on: we want the best for our kids, and we want to raise them to be kind and spread it. The way to do that? Respect.
Florence Ann Romano, The Windy City Nanny™ (WindyCityNanny.com), is an author,
philanthropist and web series star/host who has always had a special place in her heart for
children.
In a recent Instagram poll, I asked this question: “Are you feeling stressed and anxious—now, more than ever”? 97% of teen respondents said, “YES”!
Am I surprised? No way. Am I curious what a teen girl’s world is like now that everything has changed? You bet.
I decided to ask more specific questions. To start, I queried about their body signs of stress.
They told me they are experiencing more headaches, stomachaches, tears, insomnia, and lethargy. I then asked about how they are coping. Most told me they are turning to their screens and some said they were trying to get outside more and be more active. Finally, I asked about what was causing the most stress. Girls told me their top three stressors: friendships (as in, not getting enough time to hang out and have fun), school (as in, how difficult it is to teach herself and stay engaged on Zoom or teams calls), and the future (as in, when will life get “back to normal” and what is summer and life going to be like).
At Bold New Girls, I have noticed a radical shift this year in girls’ energy (they are constantly fatigued), their enthusiasm (they really isn’t any), their moods (they are often sensitive at best, cantankerous at worst), and their mindsets (they are unable to hold a positive attitude about what’s working for them or going well).
Teen girls get my utmost empathy and compassion. Life is just tough right now. And, so are they! Your daughter is similarly struggling like these pollsters and she can become resilient by going through the tough stuff. Here are four ways you can help her with her mental health right now:
1. Look at her context. See her story and what’s been happening for her—at school, with her friends, and online. You may want to try asking more creative questions like, “I’d love to hear about your day today or how you are connecting online and in-person.” This helps you understand the “whole girl.”
2. Let her talk. Give her your undivided attention (putting down your phone and to-do list), the safe emotional space (assuring her this is her time to share, not yours), and the time to tell you what’s really on her mind (where neither of you watches the clock). This helps her unburden her concerns.
3. Listen. Don’t interrupt, interject, add on, problem solve, or minimize anything she says. Your job is to really hear her—both her words and the feelings behind her words—and “get” her in perhaps a new way. This helps her feel accepted.
4. Start as many sentences as you can with “Let’s try…” Suggest what you can do together to cultivate her healthy and positive mindset. You could try a relaxing activity together such as stretching, yoga, or meditation. You could also plan a new activity or a little adventure that could offer you both a change of routine and scenery. This helps her feel she is not alone—you are right there with her—and you are on her side.
In the next Instagram poll, I am going to ask this question: “Are you getting the support you need and feeling more balanced!” I can’t wait to see improved results.
I am a girl advocate and girls champion; the founder of Bold New Girls and Brave New Boys teaching and coaching for girls, boys, and their parents. As well, I am the author Growing Strong Girls and Rooted, Resilient, and Ready (available on Amazon and Audible). I am an international speaker and an instructor with Udemy.
A. Had an original American Girl doll or
B. Desperately wanted an original American Girl doll
Whether or not you actually counted Samantha, Kirsten, Molly, Felicity, Andy or Josefina among your prized possessions, the dolls were a smash hit—and just in time for the brand’s 35th birthday, they’re coming back! The six original characters have each been released in a retro-inspired American Girl doll box, complete with the signature 18-inch doll in the original outfit with authentic accessories.
All six are available on the American Girl website for $150 each and they even come with the original paperback books. Their stories span from 1774-1944 and teach courage, compassion, confidence and resilience. Whether you’re scooping one for yourself or your daughter, these dolls will certainly reclaim prized possession status in your home.
“For 35 years, American Girl has created powerful stories with smart, courageous heroines that have helped shape an entire generation of women,” said Jamie Cygielman, General Manager of American Girl. “As we celebrate this major milestone, we’re thrilled to recognize the very first generation of American girls who grew up with these beloved, original characters and made them the phenomenon they are today. Knowing many of these women are now moms themselves, we look forward to creating special, multi-generational experiences for families via their shared love of the brand.”
Last but not least, the company will partner with Save the Children’s U.S. Literacy program and donate more than $100,000 in American Girl books this summer. And there are more events and partnerships coming this summer and fall! Consider your day made.
How has parenting changed in the last year? More specifically, how have parents changed? Millie Moon Luxury Diapers recently tapped OnePoll to conduct a survey of 2,000 millennial parents—and the results may surprise you!
It’s probably not a shock to many parents that the events of 2020 changes plenty of attitudes towards just about everything. Between the sudden, drawn-out together-time families found themselves in, working from home, schooling from home and doing everything else from home, parenting has had to change in the past year.
photo courtesy of Millie Moon
The survey found that four out of five moms and dads surveyed felt 2020 made them completely reevaluate their parenting. Seventy-two percent said the pandemic helped them to show more compassion as parents and 73 percent began prioritizing the smaller moments they could share with their kiddos.
When it comes to work, more than 40 percent of parents put less of an emphasis on their jobs. This extra time reportedly had a major affect on the littles, according to the parents surveyed. Seventy-six percent of parents also discovered new ways to connect with their kids!
The increased emphasis on connecting with the kiddos may make you wonder how parents are spending more time with their families. The survey found that nearly half of parents say story-time is a bonding moment. With that in mind, Millie Moon is donating a portion of the proceeds from the brand’s new Luxury Diaper line to the national early literacy nonprofit, Reach Out and Read. Nab these luxe diapers and wipes exclusively at Target!
Albert Einstein once said, “If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales.
As a young girl, I remember my parents reading me a story every night at bedtime. My favorite book was Cinderella. As I listened, I would close my eyes and picture the story in my mind. As soon as the storytelling would begin, the boundary between the life of Cinderella and everyday life seemed to quickly disappear. And the ending was never a surprise (and that was my favorite part) for I was safe in the knowledge that through it all—lost slipper or bad fairy, the princess would marry the prince and get to live in the larger than life palace just beyond the sunset, happily ever after.
Fairy tales teach us about empathy and compassion, relationships, and the difference between good and evil. These stories are more than just happily ever after. They portray real moral lessons thru characters and virtue shown in the stories.
Some of the benefits of reading fairy tales to your children include:
Giving kids a place to learn the idea that life isn’t always easy and people don’t always have your best interests at heart. These stories give parents a way of gradually introducing their children to the idea that there are some bad people in the world. At the same time, it’s a way of reinforcing the importance of being kind, thoughtful, and true.
Fairy Godmothers, talking animals, evil witches—anything is possible in a fairy tale! Our world needs more imaginative and creative thinkers. When our minds are opened to all sorts of ideas and possibilities as children, we develop an out-of-the-box thinking style. When presented with a problem or challenge, children with vivid imaginations will come up with wonderfully unique ways to overcome those challenges.
Sharing stories can be a very powerful way to help children navigate complex and moral subjects. They learn and discover their actions have consequences and can affect other people’s feelings, as well as impacting their own emotions.
Without being explicitly known, children learn that hard work pays off and that sometimes delayed gratification is necessary. Fairy tales provide answers to what the world is really like and a child’s place within it.
Fairy tales encourage children to develop their own creativity. Most fairy tales do not include detailed outlines of the characters which encourage children to make up their own mental picture of the characters. The vague descriptions of places and events also help children develop their imaginations by envisioning what is happening in the story. This creativity, in turn, will be an invaluable skill for children in later life.
There are many versions of the same fairy tale. Gone are the days when all the main characters looked virtually the same. Now children from all over the world can glimpse different cultures through these stories and see themselves reflected as well. Often, these versions depend on the culture of its author.
These stories not only provide us with pieces of our background but enlighten others to something different. Fairy tales have the power to change lives. They can inspire a person to be something greater than they are, and become the person they want to be. The power of fairy tales can give people strength in their weakest moments, and lead them down a path they wouldn’t originally have the courage to walk.
Most young children aren’t remotely aware that they’re learning life skills. For them, all that matters is the moment, when a good story whirls them away into new worlds. One of the reasons I believe love fairy tales remain so powerful is that extraordinary things happen to ordinary people. In a fairy tale, a young girl lost in the forest, can find food and comfort in a houseful of bears.
Through her vibrant picture books, illustrated by her brother Zeka Cintra,Isabel strives to introduce kids to a world where diversity is valuable and beautiful. Fantasy, representativeness and diversity are common themes in her editorial production. She currently resides in Stockholm, Sweden with her husband and daughters.
As we approach your 3rd birthday I can’t help but reflect back on these past years.
It’s just been you and me from the start.
And although some days feel like an eternity, I still catch myself wondering, ‘Where has the time gone?’
God made me the luckiest woman alive when he chose me to be your mom.
Thank you for your tender kisses, and for your ferocious hugs.
For showing me in return all the heart and soul I have poured into you, and for your gentle ‘I love you’s’ to remind me of why I will never stop.
Thank you for making me a better mom every day.
For teaching me more patience than I ever knew I was capable of, and for still loving me unconditionally in the times I don’t.
Thank you for your strength and perseverance.
For reminding me every day of the miracle of a spoken word, and for giving me every reason to believe in hope for the future.
Thank you for being uniquely you.
For allowing me to step into your world, to see all the wonder, magic, and beauty within, and for your forgiveness in the times I can’t always.
Thank you for the lives you are touching, and the mindsets you are changing.
For these people will now move forward in their lives with a better understanding of autism, and hopefully will walk through society with more compassion because of you.
You and this world of wonder that I call autism have taught me amazing things about life this past year that I don’t think I would’ve experienced if not for you two.
You’ve both have taught me how to turn my grief into gratitude.
Pain into perseverance.
Sorrows into sacrifices.
It’s surreal to say that a little boy so curious and charming like you, and a world I knew nothing about could teach me the most important things about this life.
I’d choose you in every lifetime Kanen.
The goofiest little goober, I love you more than you’ll ever understand.
Samira is a 25 year old single mom to a 2 year old son Kanen Arley. Her son Kanen was diagnosed with severe non-verbal autism in September of 2020, which inspired her to start sharing their journey through My Charming Arley on Facebook and Samirasstella on Instagram.
Mother-daughter publishing duo Nancy and Sara Ganz recently announced their first book available on Amazon—and it gives children the chance to customize the main character’s skin tone!
The first of a 12-book Nancy’s Feels Good Fables collection, the new children’s book Tina Searches for Her Dream helps kiddos to find themselves in the story and see themselves in the illustrations. Authored by parenting and executive coach Nancy J. Janz and illustrated by Michelle Baron, this book is a must-have addition to your child’s at-home library.
Instead of one look for the main character, children can choose Tina’s skin tone—selecting from either the deepest, medium, or lightest option. The brand-new book can help the young child to learn about their own individual gifts and talents and help parents to understand that children may not always conform to their expectations.
This soon-to-be released read helps to normalize diversity and comes with key messages about compassion, empathy, acceptance and more. Tina Searches for Her Dream is available in Amazon starting Mar. 3, 2021 for the suggested retail price of $21.95. Your child can choose between the three editions: Deepest Skin Tone, Medium Skin Tone, or Lightest Skin Tone.
We all want our children to grow up to be good people. We all want them to be proud and strong. We want them to be good citizens. And, we want them to be kind. National Random Acts of Kindness Day, which is held annually on February 17, is all about doing good for others, but it also sparks an opportunity to celebrate and practice kindness with children all year round.
Scientific evidence supports that doing kind acts for others is good for us and helps decrease feelings of anxiety, stress, and depression. Engaging children in performing kind acts build up their ability to show compassion for others and helps create healthy, supportive communities where they can live and grow.
My fellow education experts teamed up with Kiddie Academy’s corporate social responsibility team to craft a list of activities your child can do to spread kindness and brighten someone’s day.
1. Pick up litter in your neighborhood. Teach your kids to be kind to the Earth and give love to the environment by picking up trash, such as plastic or paper that may be harmful to animals and plants.
2. Write a friend a thoughtful note. Have your child hand write a note to their best buddy describing what they like about them. It’s sure to put a smile on their face.
3. Hold the door open for someone. This little act of kindness goes a long way. Instruct your kids to hold the door for the person behind them, smile, and say hello. It may just make their day.
4. Draw a picture for a relative or a friend. Art is a great way to get the creative juices flowing while also spreading kindness. Have your kids draw photos for friends or relatives.
5. Read a book with a sibling. If you have multiple children, encourage them to spend quality time together by reading a bedtime story. It will remind them both that they have a built-in friend no matter what.
6. Help clean up after a meal. The cook of the family will appreciate it if you teach your kids to bring the finished plates to the sink. It’s also a great way to get kids involved in mealtime.
7. Clean up your playroom. Encourage kids to take some off of mom and dad’s plate by spending a few minutes putting toys and books away.
8. Leave a box of chalk at the playground or write a kind chalk message on the neighborhood sidewalk. Spread kindness within your community in a socially distant way by having your kids write positive memos such as, “Be yourself and have a great day!” for the neighborhood to see and enjoy.
9. Write a “thank-you” note to local essential workers, like first responders and health care workers. Give back kindness to the people who help keep us safe everyday by encouraging your kids to tell essential workers how much they appreciate everything they do.
10. Make a friendship bracelet for a friend. Teach your child to use yarn and beads to create a fun and vibrant bracelet for a friend. It’s a fun way to show appreciation for one another.
A child is never too young to adopt the fundamentals of good character. These acts of kindness, among many others, teach a child that they can change the course of someone’s day and make an impact. You never know where kindness will take you!
Joy has over 20 years of experience in early childhood education. As Vice President of Education at Kiddie Academy Educational Child Care, she oversees all things curriculum, assessment, training and more. Joy earned a B.S. in Education from Salisbury University.
Children are naturally empathetic and show amazing capacity for wanting to change the world. They also are kids, and sometimes forget that their actions can have consequences. The following books are excellent ways to show kids how they can make a difference, whether that’s kindness on the playground, showing compassion toward those who need our help or passing on a smile. Click through the gallery to get inspired to change the world, one story at a time!
Helping our pollinator friends is a hot topic lately, and this just-released book by author and illustrator Toni Yuly offers a gentle reminder of gratitude for the preschool crowd: wool comes from sheep, honey comes from bees, clouds bring rain. With sparing text and paper-collage art, this is a perfect little book about appreciating life’s simple gifts.
If your little one is going to change the world, they'll need to be ready for some bumps along the way! Teach your kiddo perseverance and resilience with the help of Mel Fell, a book from HarperCollins that follows a bird Mel on her journey from downward fall to triumphant flight. While your young reader turns the book in every direction to follow Mel's journey, they'll learn about self-confidence and taking a leap of faith.
Warning: you may find yourself crying a little while reading Susan Murray’s new book, but don’t let that stop you from buying a copy right now. This incredibly moving book about a little seven-year-old living in poverty and her relationship with the village schoolteacher is really the story of a small town struggling with poverty and wealth. It’s a story of generosity and it is sure to teach your children the beauty of empathy, giving and kindness. Based in the 1950s, just after World War II, this U.K. author’s book is now widely available in the U.S.
What does it mean to be a refugee or a migrant? These words are in the news a lot but kids have lots of questions about what it means. For starters, why would someone want to leave their home? Empower your kids (and yourself) with the knowledge and understanding of what it means to be a refugee or a migrant with this new release from Barron’s Children in Our World series. It answers big questions, offers reassurances and lets kids know what they can do to help. Written by Ceri Roberts and illustrated by Hunane Kai.
One of the two new releases in Barron’s Children in Our World Series—books for kids, aimed at tackling big, global and social issues—Poverty and Hunger helps answer the questions: What is poverty? What is hunger, and how does it affect people all around the world? Educate your kids without scaring them on the topic and give them the power to learn how to help. Written by Louise Spilsbury, illustrated by Hunane Kai.
As if Malala Yousafzai isn’t accomplished enough, the 20-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner is about to release her first children’s picture book! This is the story of Malala’s Magic Pencil, based on Malala’s own childhood wish to have a magic pencil that would “make everyone happy,” and could “erase the smell of garbage from her city.” As she grew older she learned that she would need more than a magic pencil to initiate change, and this book explores every person's power to change the world through strength of character and determination. Illustrated by Kerascoët Kerascoët.
Written by Cece Meng and illustrated by Ellen Shi, this picture book is full of laughs but packs a major message. Mama wishes on a shooting star for world peace, but she sneezes and instead ends up wishing for world pizza! And world pizza comes, to the valleys and the desserts, smallest towns and to the homeless, pizza rains from the sky. Pizza changes the heart of the bully, it is the great equalizer of cultures and palates, everyone agrees, pizza is the best! Does mom get her wish after all? A very relatable and unique way to get kids to think globally.
The latest release in Brad Meltzer's Ordinary People Who Change the World series, and I Am Gandhi, illustrated by Christopher Eliopoulos, takes us back to when Gandhi was a child. "Today, people call me strong...I wasn't always that way." Shy, introverted, and not even a great student, his sense of justice was strong. Eventually, he learned to change the world, in spite of all the obstacles in his way. A beautiful story and a reminder of compassion in the season of giving.
How do you talk to your kids about tragedy, especially one as big and scary as a terrorist attack? Inspired by her own experience after 9/11, New York-based author Holly McGhee felt the fear and confusion of the nation all around her. Her friend, illustrator Pascal Lemaitre, an artist living in Brussels, became her confidant. And then in 2016 Brussels, where Pascal lives, had a terrorist attack. Together, these two artists joined forces to help kids in the aftermath of a big tragedy. How? “Come with me,” says a papa to his little girl, and they explore the neighborhood and meet people from different walks of life. “Come with me,” says a mama to her daughter as they head to the grocery store where they meet people of different cultures. “Come with me,” says a little girl to the boy across the hall, as they head out to walk the dog together. A story of bravery, kindness, and compassion—the true answer to terrorism.
"When you see something terrific...smile a smile and pass it on." This precious picture book by Sophy Henn has a clear message: happiness is contagious. From giggles to hugs to an awesome new discovery, the illustrations are as cheerful as the words. A perfect read and reminder that a kid can change the world with one little smile.
