I could almost smell freedom. With both kids nearly out of the house in another year, I looked forward to reclaiming my time.
Then we made a decision that upset that apple cart and how?
We got a 40-day old labrador puppy home!!
It’s like living with a furry tornado. It’s back to sleepless nights, feeding and cleaning. Getting a déjà vu.
But no complaints there. It’s the happiest I’ve felt in some time.
Pets, especially dogs, have that effect on you. It reminded me why every child should grow up with a pet.
They teach you some unmissable life lessons. Like loving someone selflessly (no if and but), trusting someone wholeheartedly, accepting someone as they are.
They help you become a better person.
Every child must have a dog, or any pet, during their growing up years. It’s life altering.
Do Pets Really Make Kids Better Humans?
I’m a big believer that having pets ensures you become a better version of yourself. And for the kids, they become their soul mates.
They teach the kids about empathy, kindness, accountability and responsibility.
Kids learn about sharing and caring, about loving and being loved in the most selfless manner, about accepting others as they are.
These lessons definitely impact their personality and moral compass.
I had a kid in my class who got so excited when he was able to take his dog out for a walk all by himself that his confidence shot through the roof.
Since then I found him volunteer more, participate willingly in class activities, and ready for more responsibilities.
Who knew that that one act would change him for the better?
Ever since we’ve got Doofus home, my first born who’s a total night owl like a regular college kid, has started waking up early to spend time with him because that’s when he’s the most playful. Hell, I should’ve got him when they were younger!
For all those on the fence about getting a pet, it’s never too late.
Empathy in Action: Learning to Care Beyond Oneself
An important lesson kids learn with pets around is empathy. If they learn it at a young age, they grow up into well balanced adults.
They learn to take care beyond themselves.
Taking care of the daily needs of the pet gives them a chance to think about the needs of others, moving the focus away from their personal needs and requirements.
Say, when a child fills the water bowl without being reminded, it rewires their brain towards empathy. It moves from ‘me’ to ‘we’.
They also learn to recognise emotions in others. How the dog gets all excited when it sees them, or wants to play with them; understanding their emotions and needs, whether they’re hungry or hurting or not well.
When Doofus whimpered on the first night at our home, my kids sat with him till he fell asleep, comforting him. That’s a far cry from when I couldn’t expect them to handle such responsibilities.
Kids learn to read the subtle signs and act accordingly. This helps them in their interactions with others as well.
A study by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry found that children who grow up with pets display higher levels of emotional intelligence and lower levels of anxiety.
Fostering Responsibility, Routine, and Self-Discipline
Having a pet at home is a responsibility.
Kids learn all about responsibility through consistent actions like feeding, cleaning, and taking them for a walk.
It’s not always about playing and enjoying. They learn to balance between enjoyment and obligation.
It’s not for a day or two; it’s for a long as the pet lives.
Say for instance if they forget to feed even once, that poor pet would be left hungry. Is that okay, or even right?
This teaches them about accountability, that there are natural consequences to their (in) action.
Bringing up a pet introduces self-discipline early on in the child.
And the best part is they learn all this willingly without you teaching.
Building Mindfulness, Patience, and Presence
But pets don’t just teach kids how to care. They also help them slow down and stay present. That’s something our screen-filled lives badly need.
You don’t have to teach them about being patient or mindful. The pet takes care of this part of their personality development.
Taking them out for a walk, grooming them or feeding them are all actions that need the child to be present and mindful.
Believe it or not, it brings down their screen time as they need (and want) to spend time together (thank God for that).
They learn to slow down, observe and be present.
The Ripple Effect: Social and Emotional Development
And as a pet parent or sibling, you’ll never run out of topics to talk about.
They act as the perfect ice-breakers in all sorts of social settings. Whether you’re taking them out for a walk or having guests over, they dominate the conversation.
Children feel comfortable around these animals and open up. When they get friendly with them, it boosts their self-confidence.
The pets look beyond the shortcomings of the kids, accepting them as they are. This helps the kids feel better about themselves, reducing their unspoken anxieties.
Having pets also improves their social skills as more people approach them. Being able to manage their pets makes them feel more focused and in control.
It’s a perfect way for social and emotional development with positive outcomes.
The Psychology of Pet Companionship
Check Instagram and you’ll be flooded with puppy videos. I’m a dog person, hence puppy videos. No offence to cat lovers or other pet owners.
They give you a dopamine rush. It’s like having forever sunshine, always warm and comforting.
And kids respond to pets naturally. They can feel that affection.
There’s an unconditional acceptance from the pets that provides an emotional security to the child.
I’ve seen how overtly protective the pet gets about the baby in the house. Every time a visitor dropped by, the dog would run to the baby’s cot and stand between them. Best form of security.
And they are so non-judgemental that they love you for being you. The quiet emotional support they provide can help both the kids and the adults deal with stress, loneliness or other big emotions.
In other words, it’s free therapy all day through, at no extra cost.
A Balanced Perspective
I’m not saying it’s all sunshine and roses.
Before you get a pet, think it through seriously. It’s a long-term commitment.
I’ve seen people who got pets during lockdown because they acted as their emotional support. And also because everyone was restricted indoors and needed some diversion.
But once life got back to normal, many have abandoned their pets or have left them at shelters.
That’s cruel. Inhuman.
What parents often get wrong:
- Think the pet is just for fun
- Assume kids will take care of everything
- Getting a breed or species not suited to the child’s energy level or to suit their social status
Be sure for you’re in for the long haul. Talk about it in detail with your children.
Children are always excited about getting the pets home. For them, it’s all about playing with them.
But are they ready for the responsibilities?
Are they going to help with feeding and cleaning grooming and taking care?
Also check about the allergies, in case anyone in the family is sensitive. What about your daily routine? Do you’ve the time and energy to look after them?
If you’re working, will you’ve the patience once you’re back home to take care of them?
Practical Guidelines for Parents
If your kid insists for a pet, try to provide some alternative ways for animal interaction to see if they’re truly ready for it or is it just a whim.
- Visit animal shelters. See how they interact with other animals.
- Spend some time at a vet’s clinic to see and learn more about handling pet animals.
- Carefully think about what kind of a pet you want to get. Each has its own kind of care routine.
- Choose the pet based on the child’s temperament and age.
- Check your readiness since a large part of the care will come to you.
- Set realistic expectations. Create clear guidelines for the pet’s consistent care. Assign age appropriate responsibilities and ask them if they are ready for it.
Conclusion
Once the pet enters your house, it becomes a part of the family.
It brings with it a big bundle of joy and happiness. Those eyes express the purest form of love you’ve ever experienced.
Without saying a word, they guide you to become a better version of yourself. They help build your character, shape your personality.
Having a pet at home goes beyond having fun; it’s life altering.
What do you think? What kind of a human do you want your child to grow into?
Maybe a pet can help you shape that journey as they reshape childhood in the most profound way.
