Only every fifth mother decides to have a pet for a child. The rest, unfortunately, flatly refuse their children such requests. But in vain!
Psychologists believe that the desire to have a pet indicates the desire of the child to take care of someone, share their experiences, and educate. Such inclinations are most often shown by the only children in the family. Of course, parents love their baby and often satisfy all his needs, but deprive him of one of the most important – communication with them. They simply do not have enough time for close contact with the child. A pet will give such children the necessary emotional “feeding” and partially replace communication with loved ones.
Where to begin?
Which friend should your child choose? First of all, you need to take into account his wishes and age. Let’s be honest: any pet is, of course, the care and responsibility of adults. But if the child himself does not actively care for his pet, they will not be able to make friends. As a rule, the first requests for a pet start at the age of 6-7 years. Suitable animals for this age period: aquarium fish, birds, guinea pig, rabbit, hamster, rat. It is also necessary to take into account the emotional return from the pet. Kids are bored with turtles and fish: it is not interesting to watch them, it is impossible to communicate directly. Noisy birds also quickly annoy children. A funny hamster or guinea pig will bring a lot of positive emotions, but they do not live long, which means that the child will face the stress of losing a pet. A truly close four-legged friend to your child can be a cat or a dog. And that’s what most kids ask for.
True Friends
But a “serious” pet – a cat or a dog – is desirable to start when the child is 10-12 years old. Whom to choose? Cats are less of a problem than dogs. You don’t need to walk with them, they endure loneliness more easily. Cats are very clean, they rarely need to be bathed. A kitten should be accustomed to a toilet tray, a scratching post – and usually, there are no more problems with his behavior. Adult cats are calm and friendly, and in relation to children, they are so “delicate” that they would rather run away from a naughty child than release their claws. Communication with purrs is useful for easily excitable children: soft fur, gentle purring, playing with a string or a ball have a calming effect.
But if your child needs a four-legged companion 24/7, get a dog: a puppy is a devoted friend, always ready to console the owner, to make him feel that there is a living being nearby that is capable of the most sincere love. Training and walks with a pet discipline the little owner. And the dog is the best defender: not a single bully will mess with a child next to whom the dog is. Size and breed do not matter: even a small Jack Russell will selflessly rush to the defense, and his loud barking will attract the attention of others.
And the main advice. Make it a rule: always take care of a pet with your child – let this become your good family tradition. Buy food together, choose toys for your pet, comb his fur, clean his cage. The kid can be taught to wipe the outer walls of the aquarium, wash the drinkers and feeders, pour food, change the water in the drinker. Older children can walk with a pet on their own, take a puppy to a training school, etc. Do not forget that a child copies you in everything and will treat the animal in the same way as you. And if you do not feel warm feelings for a hamster or a kitten, you take care of him, with difficulty overcoming disgust, then the baby is unlikely to be able to love him for real. But if you treat with a smile a flower pot broken by a kitten or home slippers gnawed by a puppy, the child will understand: sincere devotion and love are more precious than everyday trifles and troubles. And this is the main lesson to be learned in life.
