Placate Your Kids with Virtual Pets

If it hasn’t happened yet, prepare yourself.  ”Mommy, can we get a puppy?  Please, please, pretty puhhleeeease?  I promise I will take care of it!”  Make your list of excuses now so they don’t catch you off guard.  Then offer some fun, low maintenance alternatives. Virtual pets such as Webkinz and Yuruppy can actually help teach children some of the responsibilities that come along with caring for a pet but without all the mess.  Or how about some Sea Monkeys?  They sound really fun and exciting and are sure to distract your kids (if only temporarily) from begging for one more family member you’ll have to clean up after.  An ant farm is another good alternative.  While ants obviously aren’t as cute and cuddly as a puppy, they are fun to watch and don’t chew up your favorite pair of shoes.  Last but not least, Smart e Dog makes an excellent cuddly playmate for children up to age 8.  He plays games, sings and more.  He’s on the pricier side, but you don’t have to feed him.