The Benefits of Letting Your Child Raise A Pet
Almost every child has tried to convince their parents to get them a pet. Some parents, especially those limited on time, refuse because of the additional responsibilities and headaches a pet can cause. However, what might seem like headaches and havoc for parents can be a great opportunity for children to learn and grow.
Here are the top 4 benefits of letting your child raise a pet!
1. They teach children to be responsible
When children have pets, they take pride in helping to take care of a living animal. Children can take charge of simple tasks such as feeding or providing water to their pets and cleaning up after them. This helps children to develop more responsible behavior and be more comfortable with doing other chores around the house.
2. They teach children self-esteem
According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), pets can positively contribute to a child’s self-esteem and self-confidence. Because pets provide children with unconditional love, children feel more supported and accepted for who they are. Pets are a great source of emotional support which helps improve their self-esteem because children can air out all their frustrations to their pet.
3. They strengthen family relationships
Having a pet gives your family an easy commonality and encourages more cooperation with one another. Families with pets usually spend more quality time when they partake in activities based around their pets. Activities can be as simple as grooming or feeding your pet taking them for a walk, or playing fetch. Pets can make us laugh more and have more fun together.
4. They teach children to be more compassionate
Pets naturally teach children to be more compassionate and empathetic because it helps children to learn how to care and respect animals helping them to do the same with people. For instance, when children learn to recognize their pet wants attention, love, or food, they are also learning empathy.
