Children and pets at home: 7 points to consider

Is it a good idea to bring an animal into the house to live with your children?

Are you thinking of getting a pet? Do you have doubts about whether it is the best thing for your children?

The responsibilities involved in taking care of a pet

The decision to have a pet at home must be highly analyzed due to the amount of responsibilities because of the amount of responsibilities it entails: being aware of the food, water, bathing, veterinarian appointments, taking it for walks, giving it affection.

But in many occasions parents doubt about the convenience of having pets at home. Not only because of the above, but also because of the doubt of whether it will be beneficial for their children, especially if they are small. Her concern is not so much about the responsibilities that come with caring for an animal, but rather her fear that her children will not understand that it is a small animal and therefore will either abandon it or not cooperate in its care.

Minimum age?

On this point it is important to mention that it is at the age of 4 years that children are ready to establish a real loving relationship with their "faithful friend".. Before that age it may be difficult for the child to fully understand the implications of having a pet at home, which does not mean that they cannot have a pet at home before that age, but it will require constant supervision and special preparation with the animal.

Generally, when parents have grown up with pets in the home, it is easier for them to help their children live with pets. However, it is an extremely interesting and emotional process when you really love animals and want to give them a home and our unconditional company.

Points to take into account when considering having a pet in the home

Below, we have decided to elaborate some tips and observations to help those parents who are deciding to bring home a new member of the family. Here are some some of the benefits that are presented in children who live with their pet.

1. Self-esteem

The presence of a pet is like that of a faithful friend who accepts and loves you just the way you are, so children experience that unconditional love.e children experience this unconditional love, which in turn increases their self-esteem.which in turn increases their self-confidence and security in themselves and their environment.

2. Responsibility

Children understand in a very pleasant and receptive way the importance of fulfilling certain responsibilities for the well-being of their new friend: bathing him, feeding him, taking him for a walk or playing with him, are all tasks you do for your friend.are tasks that you do with pleasure for your friend. It is also interesting that, as parents, we take advantage of the situation to promote this type of values in our children.

3. Social skills

In a relaxed and mutually accepting space, children learn to interact not only with their pet, but also with children who are attracted to their "friend", thus being an easy way to overcome childhood fears. In addition to this, physical activity is increased, through walks, ball games, even within the same homes, which promotes a decrease in stress and an increase in the feeling of tranquility and joy.

4. Discipline

Knowing how to implement it, having a pet at home is an excellent opportunity to promote discipline in the home.The child must teach and at the same time respect basic rules of coexistence. For example: you can teach your pet where to relieve itself and the schedules for eating and going to sleep, but at the same time you must respect the pet's space while it eats, give it space to rest, among others.

5. Expression of emotions

In a calm, trusting and welcoming space for the child, he/she learns to express affection, to be careful in his/her treatment and to be careful with the pet.In a calm, trusting and welcoming environment, children learn to express affection, to be careful in their treatment and to easily understand non-verbal communication expressions. For example, children learn to identify when the pet is sick or scared, as well as the development of intuition and empathy.

6. Family bonding and cohesion

There is no doubt that the presence of a pet involves all members of the family. Animals are usually very cozy, cuddly, playful and friendly and have the ability to easily attract the attention of family members. Therefore, as time goes by, everyone becomes involved in their care, being in many occasions considered as another member of the family nucleus..

7. Open-mindedness

Sometimes, sharing the space of attention at home with the pet is positive in helping many children to better assimilate the arrival of a sibling..

Teaching and educating in a nurturing environment

Many of the benefits to children who care for their pets are determined by how parents treat the animals. This article mentions benefits based on a loving, responsible and close relationship with the animals. We do not intend to humanize the influence of these pets, but to place them in an important space within the family constitution.

This allows a closer, more affective bond and therefore, to obtain psychological and affective benefits such as those mentioned throughout the article.