We have a dog a cat and an indestructible fish (yes, I said indestructible). The girls are responsible for feeding and watering all 3. M is campaigning very hard for her own little puppy, for some reason she thinks the 85 pound lab is too big. The deal is when she demonstrates that she can take care of the things that she has now, and keep everything puppy proofed, then she can have the puppy.
Doing this of course, I recognize that I will be doing the potty-training, which I hate, but I'm fine with because I know she'll teach the puppy everything else. She has already taught Banks (the lab) several really cool things all by herself.
A on the other hand may not be ready for her own pet until her mid 30's. Even when the cat follows her around MEOWING or sits in front of the food and looks pointedly at his empty bowl, I still have to remind her 2-20 times to feed the cat. Unless of course we are talking meatloaf, and then she always remembers to give the cat his share.
You can't expect a kid to take full responsibility for their pet. It's not going to happen. You have to get the pet based on the fact that you will be okay with doing most of it, unless its a fish. I have always had lots of pets since I was a kid. We now have 2 dogs and 3 cats - yes you read that correctly, I know it's alot. I will teach him how to help care for them but he's a kid. I was actually reading in some book about being a better parent and one of the things that it said to do is to get a pet and expect to take care of it. The child can parttake in the care somewhat but that it is your job as a parent to teach your child compassion and kindness and one of the best ways is by having a pet! So get one, but expect to do most of the work.
I am a pet lover as a kid we alway had a dog and as a teen we alway had a dog it was always an adult that toook care of it and now as a parent I have two different pets I take care a dog and a bird the largest bird you can think of and as well I have two kids. In all of this I have found hat even though my kids are small 4yrs and 2yrs they understand what both there dad and I do for the pets in the house, the 2 kids both help walk the dog and at times both of them will also feed the dog I don't expect them to but I'd hope that with all of the experience when they are ready it would be journey for both to have a pet
The best age is when they move out. Having to remind your child to care for the pet is just as bad as getting stuck with being the caretaker. Perhaps there are other parents out there who have had better experiences than we have had with our children but I would rather have my teeth pulled with rusty pliers than remind one more kid to feed the poor lizard and play with her. The body count thus far includes two guinea pigs, a snake and all the poor rats he ate for dinner. The lizard is hardy girl who has survived my family and she stinks to high heaven. When our 3rd child begged for a pet of her own I convinced her that one of the two family cats was hers. If she doesn't feed him or clean his litter box, I don't short out and start foaming at the mouth and all is well in the world.
This is a little tough...it depends on the type of animal and the kid. Personally I think that getting a child a pet of their own, one they have to be responsible for, doesn't work until they are responsible. For many that is at least 10 if not older. There will always be some sort of mommy-has-to-help for whatever reason, but there is a limit to how much you should expect a child to take care of a pet. I've watched friends get their child a pet and, after the first week, the kid doesn't even notice that pet.
In the end I think it comes down to how much responsibility Mom and/or Dad want to have. After all, many pets live a long time (and cost a lot of money) and the kids, well, they go off after a while. And a goldfish? You still have to clean that bowl a lot.
Now, that being said, I'm sure we're going to be that family who has many pets of various types!
5 replies so far...
Doing this of course, I recognize that I will be doing the potty-training, which I hate, but I'm fine with because I know she'll teach the puppy everything else. She has already taught Banks (the lab) several really cool things all by herself.
A on the other hand may not be ready for her own pet until her mid 30's. Even when the cat follows her around MEOWING or sits in front of the food and looks pointedly at his empty bowl, I still have to remind her 2-20 times to feed the cat. Unless of course we are talking meatloaf, and then she always remembers to give the cat his share.
Flag as inappropriate Posted by Niki D on 4th June 2008
Flag as inappropriate Posted by oceans mom on 3rd June 2008
Flag as inappropriate Posted by Avonsales-salter on 27th May 2008
Flag as inappropriate Posted by Javacat on 24th May 2008
In the end I think it comes down to how much responsibility Mom and/or Dad want to have. After all, many pets live a long time (and cost a lot of money) and the kids, well, they go off after a while. And a goldfish? You still have to clean that bowl a lot.
Now, that being said, I'm sure we're going to be that family who has many pets of various types!
Flag as inappropriate Posted by Mandy Nelson - Dandysound on 24th May 2008