Paws Through the Seasons: How Pets Nurture Moms and Families at Every Stage of Life 🐾

LaReine Chabut
Sep 7
4 min read

From the moment a wagging tail or gentle purr enters your home, life shifts. For families, pets aren’t just animals — they’re companions, teachers, and emotional anchors. For moms, especially, pets can be both grounding and healing. Whether you’re juggling nap schedules and soccer practice, navigating teenage moods, or adjusting to a quiet home after the kids leave, pets have a way of showing up exactly when we need them.

Let’s walk through how pets support families — and moms in particular — through every stage of life.

The Early Years: Calming Chaos & Teaching Empathy

LaReine, Winnie, and her eldest daughter Bella

The toddler years are full of beautiful chaos. In the middle of the toys scattered across the floor and sticky fingers reaching for you, a pet can be a gentle presence. Research shows that simply petting an animal can lower cortisol (the body’s primary stress hormone) and increase oxytocin — the same “bonding hormone” released when a mother nurses her baby.¹

For kids, pets are often their first introduction to empathy. Feeding the cat or walking the dog isn’t just a chore — it’s an early lesson in responsibility, kindness, and care for another living being. One study found that children who grow up with pets score higher in measures of empathy and social competence.² These small rituals also provide structure, helping children regulate their own emotions through consistent routines.

For moms, having a pet often means a natural way to redirect energy. A crying toddler can be soothed with “let’s go find the dog,” while a family walk with the pup becomes a calming way to reset. Pets can even ease transitions like starting preschool or a parent returning to work by providing comfort and security when little ones are stressed.

School Age & Teenage Years: Companionship & Confidence

Winnie and LaReine's youngest daughter, Sofia

As kids grow, the role of pets grows too. Elementary-aged children often find deep companionship in their furry (or feathered) friends. After a tough day at school, a child may retreat to play with the dog or cuddle with the cat, finding unconditional love that helps restore confidence.

Teen years bring their own challenges — identity struggles, peer pressure, big emotions. Pets offer a safe, judgment-free relationship when kids feel misunderstood. In fact, a 2020 study found that teens with strong pet bonds reported lower feelings of loneliness and greater emotional well-being.³ A teen might not always open up to mom about friend drama or anxiety, but they’ll sit quietly stroking the cat until their heart feels a little lighter.

For moms, pets in this stage often become a bridge for family connection. Walking the dog together reduces screen time, encourages physical activity, and sparks conversations that might not happen otherwise. Pets help keep everyone grounded when life feels busy and stretched thin.

Wellness for Moms: Why Pets Matter for Our Health Too

While pets clearly benefit children, the wellness perks for moms are profound. Research has shown that:

Stress & blood pressure: Pet owners have significantly lower blood pressure and heart rate responses during stressful tasks compared to non-owners.⁴
Mood & mental health: According to the Human-Animal Bond Research Institute, 74% of pet owners reported mental health improvements from pet ownership.⁵
Physical activity: Dog owners walk an average of 22 more minutes per day than non-dog owners.⁶
Connection: Pets increase social interaction — how many playground chats start with, “What’s your dog’s name?”

In the thick of motherhood, pets can be an overlooked form of self-care. They remind moms to pause, breathe, play, and receive unconditional love.

Life Transitions: Graduation, Goodbyes & Empty Nest

Bella and her fiance, Sean, with Winnie in the Pacific Palisades

When the graduation caps are tossed and the house quiets, many moms feel a sharp shift. Pets can soften that transition. Suddenly, the dog who once chased kids around the backyard becomes your walking companion. The cat who slept at the foot of your child’s bed now curls up in your lap during the evening.

Pets provide continuity when life feels uncertain. They help moms maintain purpose and daily structure when the house feels too still. In fact, older adults with pets are 36% less likely to report feelings of loneliness compared to those without pets.⁷ Pets can ease depression, increase social connection, and provide daily motivation — especially during major life changes.

For moms adjusting to the empty nest, pets remind us that while one chapter of motherhood closes, nurturing, companionship, and love remain present every day.

A Lifelong Gift of Love

From toddler giggles to college move-ins, pets walk with families through every stage of life. They help children grow into kind, responsible adults while giving moms comfort, companionship, and health benefits along the way.

So whether you’re knee-deep in school lunches or savoring a slower season, remember: those paws padding across your floor aren’t just part of the background — they’re part of your family’s story. 🤍

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