Having Animals is Good for Kids

 My List of Reasons to Have Animals if You Have Kids

There are many benefits for children emotionally and psychologically to have pets growing up. I remember always having pets in my home growing up. I love cats and I always had a cat. In fact, when I was a young girl going through a life-altering brain surgery, my companion animal was a cat named Suzi. I had that cat for 14 years. I still mourn the loss of her. Growing up with animals gave me a tender heart for animals and people because it taught me how to care for something other than myself. Now, my family has four cats. We also have livestock animals that we regard as pets as well.  We have six chickens and two goats.

 
1. Animals teach children to love

One of the first things I ever loved and formed an attachment to was my cat as a child. She was my best friend. Every day my cat would sit at the top of the stairs and wait for me to come home. I felt like she was another member of the family. I talked to her, cared for her, and mourned her when she died. Even though she couldn't talk (I mean, she was a cat) she didn't have to say a word because she knew she was loved.

2. Animals teach children how to grieve

With love often comes loss. When my first cat got let outside one day and she wandered onto the road and got hit by a car, I was devastated. I cried so much as I grieved the loss of my best friend. But grieving is inevitably a part of life and this loss taught me a lot, and losing animals helped me as I got older and learned to develop the skills I needed to process the emotions that came along with the death of family members. 

3. Animals teach children kindness

I remember a time when my youngest son was about four years old and he was carrying one of our cats around the house. He accidentally tripped and fell, causing our cat to fly across the floor, and she let out a piercing cry as she did. He felt terrible. I assured him our kitty was okay and she was only scared. But it taught him a good lesson about our kitty and being careful. I explained that our kitty has needs, wants, and desires too, and it's important to treat her kindly. He is 11 now, but he still remembers this and loves helping me take care of our goats and cats every single day. He gives the goats their hay daily, water, and helps me lock them inside their barn each night. 

4. Animals teach children responsibility

Of all four of my children, my youngest is the one I have to keep on track the most. I have to steer him in the right direction with his schoolwork the most, help him stay on task the most, and just keep him focused the most. For example, I'll tell him to have the dishes done by 5, but 7 will roll around and the dishes won't be done. I'll kindly nudge him and ask about the dishes and he'll pop up off the couch and rush into the kitchen. But when it comes to our animals, he is right on task. I don't even have to remind him when it's dusk and it's time to head out to feed the goats and put them away for the day. Oftentimes, he is the one telling me, "Hey, Mom! It's getting dark out. We better head outside!"

Animals are a great responsibility for kids. Not only are they a fun task, they are rewarding too. Kids get rewarded with the animal's love and loyalty, which brings me to my next point.

5. Animals teach children to be affectionate & nurturing

One of my cats, Lulu, is often called the princess of the house because she sits on my bed almost all day long and waits for me to come to bed. No one else is allowed to touch her or she runs away. My mom loves her coloring and says how pretty she is, but my mom calls her a snob because no one except me is allowed to touch her. Lulu is loyal to the one who cares for her and is affectionate with her. I clip her nails, feed her, pet her, give her water, and lay in bed with her. She feels safe with me and it shows. This shows children that when you care for something and nurture it, giving it affection, it will be loyal to you as shown in the picture below of my son holding one of our goats when she was a baby.

 I'm sure there are many, many more reasons I could come up with to get your family and children some animals if you don't already have them, but these are just some of the most important I could come up with. So, if you don't yet have a family pet, drop in at the local pet store or even better, stop by at the local animal shelter and adopt one so your child can benefit from the many reasons to have a furry family member. 😊

-Meg

©Meg Sechrest 2024 MegandHerGoats.blogspot.com