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THE FAMILY PET

One of the best ways for a child to learn responsibility is to let them care for a pet. By showing your children what it takes to be responsible for a living creature’s survival they are actually learning important social skills. A child who learns to care for a pet and treat it kindly and with patience will learn to treat people the same way.

In order to make owning a family pet a positive experience the parent or caregiver must discuss with the child what it will take to keep the newest member of the family happy and healthy.

How to choose the right pet - It is very important to choose a pet that is right for your home and your lifestyle and one that your child can easily care for. It must also be age appropriate. Exotic animals such as an iguana or tarantula spider may be difficult to care for and should be considered carefully. What is most important is that the whole family discusses which choice is best.

• Make a list of the types of pets everyone likes
• Take into consideration how much time and energy your family is willing to devote to pet care
• How much money are you willing to spend - take into consideration vet costs, a healthy diet and proper equipment
• If you are thinking about a dog, do you have a fenced in yard or live near a green space?
• Take into consideration how long the pet will live and how big he will grow
• Special issues - Are you or any family members allergic to certain pets, are pets permitted if you are renting, who will care for your pet when you are away?
• Think about your child’s physical ability, temperament and age - please note that children under the age of five should never be left alone with a pet, the risk of injury to your child or the pet is too great

There are many pets to choose from; if you take all the above into consideration you should be able to find a good match for your family.

As well as the above-mentioned, having a pet can also help your child prepare for life situations such as going to the physician because they are familiar with their pet going to the vet for routine check-ups, or easing the transition of suddenly having to share their parent’s attention when a new sibling arrives. A pet can demonstrate to a child how much fun a new playmate can be.

When choosing a pet, keep into consideration that both your children and the new pet need parenting. They will both need supervision and limits need to be set. Unquestionably the responsibility of the pet belongs to the adult and not the child. Your child will learn to treat animals well by watching how you treat your pet. They will observe as you feed, exercise and give your pet attention.

Learning to care for a pet can make a child feel capable and give them a feeling of accomplishment. Make sure to choose tasks that are age appropriate for your child. Filling the pet’s food and water dish or helping to select a new toy or assisting with grooming can involve even really young children.

Following these tips, I hope you will find that you, your family and your new pet will have many happy times together!

By Monicka

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