I was reading today about the benefits of children keeping pets, something I was never allowed to do.
One artical I found was of interest. The American Society of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry indicate the following positive attributes of having pets as a child.
Taking care of a pet can help children develop social skills.
Children raised with pets show many benefits.
Developing positive feelings about pets can contribute to a child's self-esteem and self-confidence.Positive relationships with pets can aid in the development of trusting relationships with others.
A good relationship with a pet can also help in developing non-verbal communication, compassion, and empathy.
Pets can serve different purposes for children:
They can be safe recipients of secrets and private thoughts--children often talk to their pets, like they do their stuffed animals.
They provide lessons about life; reproduction, birth, illnesses, accidents, death, and bereavement.
They can help develop responsible behavior in the children who care for them.
They provide a connection to nature.
They can teach respect for other living things.
Other physical and emotional needs fulfilled by pet ownership include:
Physical activity
Comfort contact
Love, loyalty, and affection
Experience with loss if a pet is lost or dies.
So do you have a pet?
We have a cat and 4 guineapigs.
A cat and a dog. All above is very true - until you have to explain why Trevor the Goldfish has to be flushed down the loo to join the Great Ocean in the sky.