• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Because dads don’t always think like moms™

  • Dad
    • Celebrities
    • Gay Dads
    • Sex
    • Single Dads
  • Pregnancy
    • Labor or Delivery
    • Pregnant Wife
  • Baby
    • Baby Naming
    • Feeding
    • Sleep
    • Toilet Training
  • Kids
  • Teens
  • Activities
    • Local
    • By Age
    • Movie Reviews
    • Celebrations
  • Toys
    • We Recommend
    • Toys
  • Coaching for Dads
  • Great Dad Talks Podcast

Kids and Pets: Making it THEIR Responsibility

March 26, 2015 by GreatDad Writers Leave a Comment

"I want a puppy (or kitty/pony)"

Whatever variation that will eventually come out of my daughter's mouth, those four words are among the most dreaded fatherhood milestones.

It's also personal, because I wanted a dog growing up – as did my father – but my mother didn't. Mom won. I don't want my daughter her to feel like I'm denying her, but I also definitely don't need to add the list of more things I have to deal with on a daily basis. Because while I love my wife, I know taking care of a pet won't be something she really wants to do either.

So how do I make it so this turns into a positive father and daughter thing, rather than a "Dad does everything" nightmare?

Start with an easy pet

The worst thing to do is to jump right into a dog irresponsibly. Dogs need need to be walked, groomed, given attention… and then there's the poop.

On the other hand, fish are a great starter pet. Yes, you need to work out a feeding schedule, and find time to clean the tank every once in a while, but fish don't really need a whole lot of maintenance. Plus, once you get past the startup costs, the actual fish – assuming you're not going for crazy rare varieties – are cheap. As such, the cost of flushing away a mistake isn't so bad.

The next steps after that are hamsters/turtles, etc. Once my daughter has mastered the art of hamster care, maybe she is ready for a dog after all (if she still wants it, that is). As the pet gets more complex – and my daughter gets more mature – so does the list of chores that goes with it. By the time she's 10, she should be able to manage most pet care steps without much fatherly help.

Take advantage of friends

Before we make that fateful trip to the pound, however, I'm going to give her a chance to pet-sit the real thing. One of our close friends has a bulldog, and I think the final test will be some pet sitting with him. I know bulldogs aren't usually listed as kid-friendly, but she's familiar enough with him already. The important thing is to make sure the pet you're sitting for is good with kids before you attempt it.

Letting her learn how to walk with the dog, getting up with it on the weekends to go to the bathroom, and picking up all the toys will let her understand how much work having a dog is – before she jumps into it for real.

In the end, whenever you are thinking about bringing a pet into your life, make sure you're able to care for it in the long-term – physically, emotionally and financially. The ASPCA says 5 to 7 million pets end up in shelters every year, and most of them are euthanized. Taking responsibility for a pet is a big deal, and if your kids don't live up to their responsibilities, you need to be prepared to pick up the slack.

What do you think? Any more tips to help kids take responsibility for pets?

Filed Under: Dad

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
SIGN-UP TODAY to receive the only baby newsletter written by dads, for dads. Act now and receive a free copy of the popular GreatDad E-Book!
My baby's due date or birthday :
Profile picture
Privacy Policy and Terms
Baby Name Finder!

what's in a name

  • Show names for:
  • Boys
  • Girls
  • Either
Finding a name you can both agree on isn't always easy. Use our simple name generator to get started.
First Letter
Last Letter
Number of Letters
Origin
Find a name!

More to See

family under a cardboard

Over 40? The Five Types of Insurance You Should Have

October 22, 2022 By Contributing Authors

A Dad’s Guide to Bonding with Your Kids Through Computer Games

May 5, 2022 By Contributing Authors

Tags

529 Plan budgeting for teens college savings compromise dad dads Father's Day fatherhood friendship in-laws love marriage Movie Review parenting advice parenting skills prepaid cards ritual Sundays travel vacation

Footer

Hi mom!

Would you like to share this site with your husband or a friend?

Just enter his email address and your name below and we'll let him know all about GreatDad.com.

His email address
Your Name

Recent

  • Special Clarity session – $25
  • Over 40? The Five Types of Insurance You Should Have
  • A Dad’s Guide to Bonding with Your Kids Through Computer Games
  • 5 Ways to Prepare Your Child for a Surgical Procedure
  • How to get kids excited about dental hygiene

Search

Tags

529 Plan budgeting for teens college savings compromise dad dads Father's Day fatherhood friendship in-laws love marriage Movie Review parenting advice parenting skills prepaid cards ritual Sundays travel vacation

Copyright © 2023 . GreatDad