Spring is the time of new life, and often the time that people end up getting pets for their children. Having the responsibility of a new pet is great, but don’t give your child more than they can handle – for their age or their temperament.

1. Fish – most people think of fish as a simple first pet. It doesn’t take much to keep the goldfish and there is no real walking or clean up, but this is a MYTH. Fish need lots care and special equipment. Even goldfish need a tank that will hold 20 gallons and that has a pump. Plus, fish that are taken care of properly will live a surprisingly long time.

2. Birds – just pass over these for your children. These are long term pets with some species living up to 70 years!

3. Hamsters and gerbils – these are probably some of the best first pets that you can get for your children. They take up a relatively small space, require minimum maintenance and they have short life spans (around three to five years).

4. Dogs – long term commitments (up to 20 years) with lots of maintenance.

5. Cats – long term commitments (up to 15 years) with lots of maintenance.

If you HAVE to get your child his or her first pet, then start with the child’s own age as a determining factor. How responsible is she about doing other chores around the house without being told. If she isn’t doing any chores, then start with that. After a full month of doing chores WITHOUT being reminded then you can start with a small pet (like a gerbil or a hamster).

What ever you do, don’t get a first pet on a whim. Research the animal AND the breed to determine if its needs will fit in well with your family.

Playing games is good for kids.  It increases their stamina.  It increases their skills.  Now some are saying that playing strategic games, like chess, will actually make kids smarter.  The problem that many of the researchers run into is that the smart kids are the ones that enjoy playing chess.  The question still seems to remain, are the smart kids the ones who like playing chess, or does playing chess make the kids smart?

It would make sense that chess would improve the intelligence of the players.  There is a lot that goes into playing the game.  Not only do you have to remember how each different piece works, but you have to keep up with where your opponent is and where they might go in the future.  It takes forethought and planning to survive a good game of chess.

There is also a lot of discipline to playing chess.  It is not a game that is over quickly.  It will take patience and endurance.  Both of these are great skills for kids of all ages to develop.

Chess is a fun (and quite) activity that every person should be able to participate in at one lever or another.  It may not make them smarter, but it is likely to help them understand that actions have consequences - even if it is just a game.

Birthdays around our house are a family affair.  For months before the big day, the kids discuss the theme for the party (mom and dad try to come up with creative ways to bring the theme to life for as little as possible).  Looking over the internet or through magazines can be a great source of inspiration, but the kids usually know exactly what direction they want to do.

So far, we have had a book party (held at the local library with books as the favors), a pirate party (where the kids went on a treasure hunt and made their own treasure chests), a Viking party (where they made shields and swords from card board), a Robin Hood party (this time mom did the craft with hand made felt “robin” hats), an Indian party (where a friend showed them how to play a native flute and they made spears and head bands), a safari party (where we put animal cut outs around the yard and they went on an “adventure”), and a 3-2-1 Penguins party (where they watched the latest release and mom made a replica of the spaceship for a cake).

Gift bags are a major no-no.  I hate finding all the little trinkets around our house after the boys have gone to a party.  Instead, we give them one nice thing or let them do a craft that they can take home.  We have yet to have a mother say “what, no little whistle and top?”

The best thing is that the kids enjoy preparing for their party (down to making their own invitations) as much as they enjoy the party.  They are also learning to stretch their imagination and a dollar.  I hope that we can continue our unique birthday tradition for years to come.

Christmas is creeping up on us, and now the big toys companies are having recalls by the dozens (or at least that is how it seems).  How are parents suppose to buy something that they can feel safe with their children using?  I think science toys and practical (wood working, crafts, etc) is the route that our family will take this year.

Since we live in a small home anyway, I usually try to find things that are going to be used up.  Experiments are a great source of entertainment, education, and excitement.  At certain ages, even sea monkeys are exciting for kids.  You remember those don’t you - the dried shrimp that you could put in water and watch “come to life.”  Children are fascinated by things like that.

Even my smallest child loves butterflies.  At only twenty months old, he will squeal with delight when he sees one flutter by the window.  I can only imagine his excitement when he watches them hatch from the cocoon. 

As for the older children, I will probably stick with home grown products this year.  It’s going to take more shopping and more creativity on my part, but I will sleep better if I know that the products they are using are safe.