The loss of a pet can be a traumatic experience for a young child. My 4-year-old son recently won a tropical fish at a local fair. Goldie made his home in a fish tank on top my son’s clothes dresser and spent his days exploring his new home. My son enjoyed watching Goldie swim around his tank and each night before bed he would wish Goldie “sweet dreams.” One late afternoon, a few days after Goldie became a member of our family, I went into my son’s room and discovered that Goldie had died. Even though the fish was only in our home for a few days, it was still difficult to explain to my son that his beloved fish was dead and would no longer be swimming in his fish tank. Parents and caregivers can use the following print and online resources to help comfort a child who has experienced the loss of a cherished pet.

I’ve always loved the Staples commercial with the father prancing his way around the store gathering school supplies for his two very unhappy and annoyed kids. However, getting children ready to go back to school can often involve more than just buying school supplies. Visit the following web sites for information and tips to help get your family ready and organized for a fun and productive school year.

American Academy of Pediatrics: Back to School Tips
Help your child have a safe and healthy school year with tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics.