Problem: Article: You don't have to lecture your child on the subject, but definitely mention, in a natural way, that you both have certain luxuries that others do not. Remind your child that no one should take luxuries for granted. Note that your family can give up some non-essentials during Lent because all of you have been so blessed by God and that you can honor God by giving to those in need. Respect the meaning of Lent yourself and be a good role model for your child. Embrace the rituals you espouse and try to make Lent a period of closeness and reflection for the whole family. Practice what you preach. If you expect your child to sacrifice something meaningful, you need to do the same. For example, if he or she is giving up toys, you can give up social media and computer games. Read the Bible, pray, and talk about Christianity with your child. Find books about Jesus, Lent, and Easter that are written for children, and make the concepts interesting for your child. Consider, for example, acting out key events like the Last Supper or the empty tomb on Easter morning. Encourage your child to make something. As a family, use your hands to craft crosses, crowns of thorns, and other symbolic projects. Paint and decorate Easter eggs together. For inspiration, search for resources online. Fasting does not have to mean tasteless, unappealing food. Prepare something your child likes in order to encourage acceptance of Lent's symbols and rituals. If they can help you out with the prep or cooking, all the better. Look for recipes online you can find options ranging from tuna casseroles to salmon cakes to veggie hoagies. And don't forget about symbolic Lenten treats like soft pretzels and hot cross buns! Let your child decide on an act of kindness and who they would like to perform it for. Giving your child an active role will increase their enthusiasm and the act's impact upon them. For instance, maybe you have a shut-in, elderly neighbor. A younger child could decorate a card, color eggs, and help you prepare some Easter-themed treats to bring over for a visit. An older kid might help clean up their yard and plant some spring flowers. Let them know that giving to others is even more Christ-like than giving up things yourself. Don't present Lent as a period of suffering and sacrifice and pain; emphasize that it is a time of reflection and family moments. Teach the importance of enjoying life and the miracles of resurrection and life after death. Don't present Lent as: "Let's take a month and a half to be sad that Jesus died; then we can celebrate his resurrection." Instead: "Let's take this time to slow down and focus on Jesus' sacrifice for all of us, and to give thanks for the eternal glory it opened up to us." Teach yourself and your children that Lent is supposed to be about becoming better people. These values should last after the rituals of Lent are over. Keep bringing food to the homeless shelter. Keep limiting the amount of time you spend on your smartphone. Keep talking about, reading about, and thinking about Jesus. Keep spending quality time together.
Summary: Give thanks together for your blessings. Teach by example. Make spirituality a family affair. Prepare Lenten meals together. Encourage your child to help others. Make Lent seem beautiful and appealing. Do not simply return to your old ways after Easter.

Problem: Article: An indoor pig will probably root around in your house upturning rugs, knocking things over, etc. regardless, but providing an outdoor rooting spot will help. Pick out an area of your yard where you don't mind having a lot of holes and upturned earth. A single pig should have at least 36 square meters (roughly 400 square feet) or outdoor roaming space; the more of which is open to rooting, the better. Keep an eye on your indoor piggie while it's rooting outside, and make sure it's contained by a sturdy fence or other enclosure. If you don't want an object turned over or broken, try placing it on a counter or somewhere off the ground. In particular, you may have to move your waste basket. Try placing it on your kitchen counter or getting a larger, heavier garbage bin that your pig can't knock over. Even if you give your pig a relatively free reign around the house, it's best to establish a smaller room or area as their "home base." Part of a kitchen, laundry room, or utility room can work, especially if the room has easy-to-clean floors covered by washable rugs. Put their bedding, food and water dishes, and litter box in this area. Ideally, you'll be able to constrain your pig within this area by way of doors and/or sturdy child gates as needed. Most pigs take to potty training fairly easily, but they often like to have designated options both inside and outside. Indoors, an open tray lined with several layers of newspaper will work well as a litter box. You can place the litter box near the water dish, but keep it further away from the bedding area. It's best to work on both indoor and outdoor potty training at the same time. And rely on positive reinforcement reward good behavior instead of punishing accidents. This process will be similar to potty-training a puppy. It will take patience and time, so try to stay positive and keep training sessions upbeat. For some pigs, a properly-sized doggie bed is a great bedding option. For others, a pile of blankets will do just fine. In fact, a cheap sleeping bag placed on the floor will often make for a comfy sleeping spot. Some pigs may prefer an enclosed sleeping space. You could use a dog crate that's large enough for your pig to turn around in, or drape blankets over a card table that's set up over the bedding. If you've ever had to toddler-proof your home, you'll have a pretty good idea of what you need to do to piggy-proof it. Keep any dangerous products or sharp/breakable items off the floor or low shelves, and securely latch low cabinets with child-proof latches. Pigs also struggle on slippery floors, so invest in a lot of inexpensive, easy-to-clean floor rugs. Pigs are food-driven and very smart, which means they'll quickly learn how to open an unlocked fridge, pantry, or cabinet in search of food. Toddler-proof these areas, too, and make sure they're securely closed.
Summary: Give your pig a rooting area outside. Set up a defined space as their own. Establish a litter box and potty procedures. Create a cozy sleeping area. Make sure your home is safe for your friend.

Problem: Article: If you cannot physically control the dog or if the dog weighs more than 50 pounds (23kg), consult a board-certified animal behaviorist. Additionally, if the dog shows aggression toward children, shows food aggression (such as guarding its food bowl), or has ever snapped at you, seek help from a board-certified animal behaviorist instead of attempting to handle the animal yourself. Both dogs and people can be sensitive to the others moods. If you sense a potential outburst, or if your dog is already displaying aggressive behavior, stay calm and respond quickly. Restrain your dog on their leash or grab their collar and redirect them if they start displaying aggressive behavior. Ask the individual to slowly back away and re-approach once your dog has calmed down. Standing in front of your dog and blocking them from approaching others will keep their aggression at bay. Your dog's line of vision will also be blocked, which may relieve them of their trigger entirely. Remember, you know your dog better than anyone else so it is your responsibility to mediate for them. If you have enrolled in behavioral classes use some commands or directives to relive your dog of tension. Many dogs are aggressive toward new people. Introducing them slowly will help your dog gradually become used to their presence and curb aggressive behavior. If you are trying to introduce your dog to someone specifically set up regular play dates where your dog can continually get used to the individual. Have the individual slowly extend the back of their hand and offer it to your dog to smell. This will help them become familiar with the individual and will allow for them to approach your dog.
Summary:
Get help from an animal behaviorist if you have safety concerns. Act calmly and quickly. Practicing blocking. Slowly introduce your dog to new people.