Wondering whether to let your kid quit a sport or activity? Try using this simple gauge.

[1]( [Wondering whether to let your kid quit a sport or activity? Try using this simple gauge.]( One of the [hardest parts of parenting]( is discerning when to push and when to pull back, when to stand firm and when to back off, when to make kids do things and when to let them make their own decisions. You want your children to build the virtues of perseverance and resilience, but you also want to encourage independence and decision-making. Depending on the personalities of your kids, those lessons can be really tricky to balance. Some things are non-negotiable, of course, such as [household chores]( pet care and seatbelts. But a sport or activity a child has chosen to do is a different story. It's almost inevitable that a child will want to quit something at some point, which is sometimes the right thing to do and sometimes isn't. How do we as parents determine—or help our kids determine—whether to have them stick with piano, karate, soccer, Scouts… or let them quit? Former Olympic gymnast Nastia Liukin has [shared her thoughts]( about quitting or wanting to quit when the going gets tough, which inspired some viral [parental advice.]( [Read the story]( [2]( [In 2020, no monarch butterflies were seen along the Central Coast. This year, nearly 4,000 returned.]( In 2020, the number of monarch [butterflies]( counted at the Pacific Grove Natural History Museum’s Monarch Sanctuary in Monterey, California, was zero. In 2021, only one lone butterfly was seen. Now, in 2022, the museum has [announced]( that a seemingly miraculous 3,823 butterflies were counted during their seasonal migration. And [across the entire West Coast]( more than 247,000 monarchs have been spotted, a number not seen since 2016. The incredible comeback has experts baffled and conservationists in awe. And while the reason behind it remains somewhat of a mystery, it’s a testament to the huge positive impact to be had when nature’s timing is combined with collective human effort. [Read the story]( Did a friend forward this to you? [Subscribe here]( [3]( [A Chick-fil-A restaurant is trying a 3-day work week and the results are undeniable]( Four-day work weeks have become increasingly more mainstream in corporate business settings. With [productivity levels]( remaining the same—at times,[even increasing]( with employees less subject to burnout, the appeal is palpable. However, many restaurant workers do not have 9-to-5 schedules. “They’re literally working 70 hours a week, week in and week out,” reflected Chick-fil-A operator Justin Lindsey in an interview with [QSR Magazine](. His store in Miami had achieved top sales, but usually at the expense of the staff, who would even joke about going home to collapse after a shift. In an effort to “do better,” Lindsey came up with an unconventional solution: a three-day work week. Rather than cutting hours, Chick-fil-A employees would have a week’s worth of hours condensed into a set of three 13- to 14-hour shifts (keeping in mind that Chick-fil-A is closed on Sundays). While Chick-fil-A is not without its questionable [business practices]( the fast-food restaurant chain's experimental approach to work schedules that might make an overall positive impact. This could potentially help workers arrange consistent childcare, work on other projects and have more time to simply do what needs to be done in their life outside of a job. [Read the story]( [4]( [Disney's new heroine is a larger-than-average ballerina dancing her way to body positivity]( Disney is known for making [big statements with small films]( and one of the newest shorts from Disney Animation Studios says a whole lot in just 2 1/2 minutes. The latest episode in Disney's Short Circuit Experimental Films series, "Reflect," takes on the topic of [body image and body positivity]( through the eyes of a plus-size ballerina named Bianca. The journey she takes in the film is familiar to many, and different people may see themselves in each stage of it. (Spoiler alerts incoming.) The short opens with Bianca dancing alone in a ballet studio, joyfully practicing her moves with her head held high and her face beaming. But as soon as the other students and the instructor enter the room, Bianca wilts, becoming self-conscious and unsure of herself. She approaches the mirror with the other girls, but she keeps her head down and avoids looking at her reflection. [Read the story]( [5]( [Student helps create a 3D printed, microplastic-eating fish that can clean lakes]( Robots might have a place in the natural world after all, especially when they can help save it. Participants of this year’s Natural Robotics Contest were asked to design a robot that was inspired by an animal and could help the world. The winner would have their idea brought to life by a group of senior engineers and scientists. While entries included mosquitos, eagles and bears (oh my), the grand prize title was claimed by student Eleanor Mackintosh for her microplastic-eating fish, affectionately and fittingly named Gillbert.Gillbert’s design includes layers of mesh attached to his gills, which make up most of his flooded head unit and sieve out tiny particles. He also comes with a fully functioning fishy tail.Once he’s [3D printed]( he becomes just about the cutest looking robo-carp ever. I almost expect him to start singing “[Don’t Worry Be Happy]( Maybe that’ll be a Gillbert 2.0 feature [Read the story]( Find us on the World Wide Web: [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Twitter]( [Website]( [LinkedIn]( Copyright © 2022 GOOD | Upworthy, All rights reserved. 1370 N St Andrews Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90028 You can [update your preferences]( or [unsubscribe from this list](.