The Health Benefits of a Pet for Your Child
We just added a new member to our family yesterday. A Puppy! My husband and I are thinking we are crazy for adding another thing to do on our plate. The kids are happy as anything.
Pets can be healthy for a family, both physically and mentally. Studies have shown that children who are raised on a farm or with exposure to animals have less allergies. The exposure acts in a similar fashion as allergy shots by slowly reducing the allergy potential.
Pets will also, usually, give mental relief to the family. Pets are overflowing with love and affection for their family. Children have the wonderful ability to also be forgiving and return that love. Thus the development of a great bond between child and animal. For some children a pet can give them a sense of emotional release when they have had a hard day or have a concern that they can not express. If you have the time that a pet deserves than allow your child to have a pet. The rewards are abundant.
When you do decide to add a pet to your family, or if you already have a pet, take this opportunity to give your child some responsibility. Children as young as the age of 5 years can share in the workload of a pet. Allow them to put food in the food bowl or replace the water bowl with fresh. They can walk the dog with adult supervision. Teach them how to express ”no” and words of praise which will allow your child to have a sense of self worth. Grant it you may have more things to do, however, your child will never learn if you do not give them the opportunity.
Keep in mind that having a pet will also allow your child to get more exercise. They will become less interested in the TV or computer games and want to play with the pet instead. Walks will give puppy and child exercise. Both cats and dogs love to play in the house which your child will enjoy.
The key is to look at everything you do and decide if it will be a benefit to your child. Think of how it will affect your child before how it will affect you and then determine if the positives outweigh the negatives. For my husband and I it is definitely more work, however, watching the joy that another pet gives to our family is worth it!
