I'm sure if you don't already have one, at some time or another your children have asked you to get a pet. I'm not advocating that you buy something like a cat or dog, even a fish or a pet bug can have the same benefits for your children. If you do get an animal, I suggest that you look into adoption first. There are many wonderful animals that need a second chance in life from birds to dogs and you local humane society or any other rescue group can help you find the right animal for your family. In fact shelter animals are some of the most healthiest animals, if they don't get sick being caged up in an area with a lot of illness and disease, chances are they won't get sick in your home. Anyway I'm getting side-tracked about how awesome rescues are.
Having a pet teaches a child responsibility. You might think "How? I'm the one that cleans the cage, baths the animal and feeds it." Your child can assist you with all of these things. He or she can also be the one to remind you that it is time to do those activities. As your child gets older he or she can take over more and more of the burden of taking care of animals. You can make charts of when and how the pet care needs to be done. The animal now depends on that child to take care of the animal otherwise, it might get sick or even die. This is a big responsibility for children and a great lesson in showing how we are all connected and if you are Christian about how God put us on Earth to look after all of the other creatures.
Having a pet also teaches a child about death. This may seem morbid to some of you, but death is an important part of life and it is something that everyone has to experience at some point in their lives. It's much easier to explain to a child that their bug has passed on and gone to a better place, or will no longer wake up again, than it is to explain a grandparent did that. By the time, God forbid, a grandparent does die, hopefully your child will be familiar with the concept of death and able to grieve and understand what is actually happening.
If you have the right kind of pet, like a dog, it will also encourage your children to get outside and get active. Dogs need to be walked and played with, so do kids. Having your kids go outside and play with the dog might be just the right excuse to get your own kids outside to play.
Most importantly, having an animal is fun. If your child has trouble socially, or just needs a little extra love, an animal will always love their owners. Animals are a great tool for reading. Your child can practice reading out loud to their pet. The pet obviously isn't going to judge them if they stutter or struggle to read, this builds confidence and builds their reading skills. Many libraries even have a reading to fido day so even kids without pets can practice this technique.
A pet is a wonderful addition to any family. Just make sure that you do the research to figure out what pet is the best option for your family. Even if you pick the right pet, make sure you pick the right breed for your family. When you find the right pet, it can enrich your child's life and make your home a happier place. Your pet can bring love and teach your children many lessons that cannot be taught in school, and all they ask for in return is a couple of meals and lots of love.
Having a pet teaches a child responsibility. You might think "How? I'm the one that cleans the cage, baths the animal and feeds it." Your child can assist you with all of these things. He or she can also be the one to remind you that it is time to do those activities. As your child gets older he or she can take over more and more of the burden of taking care of animals. You can make charts of when and how the pet care needs to be done. The animal now depends on that child to take care of the animal otherwise, it might get sick or even die. This is a big responsibility for children and a great lesson in showing how we are all connected and if you are Christian about how God put us on Earth to look after all of the other creatures.
Having a pet also teaches a child about death. This may seem morbid to some of you, but death is an important part of life and it is something that everyone has to experience at some point in their lives. It's much easier to explain to a child that their bug has passed on and gone to a better place, or will no longer wake up again, than it is to explain a grandparent did that. By the time, God forbid, a grandparent does die, hopefully your child will be familiar with the concept of death and able to grieve and understand what is actually happening.
If you have the right kind of pet, like a dog, it will also encourage your children to get outside and get active. Dogs need to be walked and played with, so do kids. Having your kids go outside and play with the dog might be just the right excuse to get your own kids outside to play.
Most importantly, having an animal is fun. If your child has trouble socially, or just needs a little extra love, an animal will always love their owners. Animals are a great tool for reading. Your child can practice reading out loud to their pet. The pet obviously isn't going to judge them if they stutter or struggle to read, this builds confidence and builds their reading skills. Many libraries even have a reading to fido day so even kids without pets can practice this technique.
A pet is a wonderful addition to any family. Just make sure that you do the research to figure out what pet is the best option for your family. Even if you pick the right pet, make sure you pick the right breed for your family. When you find the right pet, it can enrich your child's life and make your home a happier place. Your pet can bring love and teach your children many lessons that cannot be taught in school, and all they ask for in return is a couple of meals and lots of love.
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