The Case for a Pandemic Puppy

September 5, 2020

A roundup of new guidance and stories from NYT Parenting.

Golden Cosmos

My most serial-killer quality is a complete indifference to pets. I will happily cuddle with a dog or a cat if I come to your house, but I have zero desire to take responsibility for the care and feeding of an animal in my home, much to the chagrin of my children. But somehow this week, Chloe Caldwell’s essay about the pandemic puppy her family got for her step-daughter, Louise, softened my heart where pets are concerned.

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Chloe and her husband initially said no to Louise’s repeated requests for a dog — they share custody with her mom, and co-parenting a dog as well as a 10-year-old seemed like too much. But over time, their resolve was broken down, and it turned out that their puppy, Bella, has helped Louise with her pandemic-related anxiety and eases the transition between her parents’ homes. What’s more, Louise takes full responsibility for Bella’s needs — every parent’s dream.

Also this week, Christina Caron, our NYT Parenting staff reporter, has advice for getting routine back into your life this fall. Sarah Prager looks into why school forms remain so steadfastly heteronormative, despite the fact that many families no longer fit the married-mom-and-dad model. Sarah Szczypinski explores the rise in cases of shingles among adults, and why these outbreaks pose a danger to children who are too young to be vaccinated for chickenpox.

Finally, Lauren Mechling finds remote-learning inspiration from the delightfully batty heroine of the “Magic School Bus” series, Ms. Frizzle. I hope you can all channel the positivity of The Friz as you enter this new and strange school year.

For my part, I have already agreed to let my older daughter have a pet worm.

Thanks for reading.

— Jessica Grose, lead editor, NYT Parenting

THIS WEEK IN NYT PARENTING

Eleni Kalorkoti

This School Year, Unleash Your Inner Ms. Frizzle

I’m no merry home educator, but I’ll be channeling the “Magic School Bus” captain when my children and I return for round two of remote learning.

By Lauren Mechling

Nicolás Ortega

When the Forms Don’t Fit Your Family

The majority of American families don’t fit the married mom-and-dad model, so why does heteronormative paperwork persist?

By Sarah Prager

Simoul Alva

5 Ways to Get Structure Back Into Your Kids’ Lives

School has begun, here’s how to reintroduce routines.

By Christina Caron

Desiree Rios for The New York Times

We Didn’t Want to Co-Parent a Puppy

Getting a pandemic puppy seemed like a bad idea for a blended family. Until we did it.

By Chloe Caldwell

Gabriel Alcala

Rising Shingles Cases in Adults Put Unvaccinated Kids at Risk

Parents who get shingles can experience debilitating symptoms and pass the chickenpox virus to their children. So why can’t they access the vaccine?

By Sarah Szczypinski

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Tiny Victories

Parenting can be a grind. Let’s celebrate the tiny victories.

My 3-year-old voluntarily put lettuce on her tacos … and ate it! — Ashlee Sanders, Bend, Oregon

If you want a chance to get your Tiny Victory published, find us on Instagram @NYTparenting and use the hashtag #tinyvictories; email us; or enter your Tiny Victory at the bottom of this page. Include your full name and location. Tiny Victories may be edited for clarity and style. Your name, location and comments may be published, but your contact information will not. By submitting to us, you agree that you have read, understand and accept the Reader Submission Terms in relation to all of the content and other information you send to us.

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