Parenting Insights
Our second child, Emma, has always had a profound affinity for animals. At just three years old, she named her favorite doll “Pony,” and over the past eight years, she has cycled through obsessions with horses, cats, eagles, and currently, owls.
In contrast, our eldest child, Lily, while not as enamored with animals, spent her formative years pleading for a family pet. Each time we visited friends with cats or dogs, both girls spent the entire car ride home persuading my husband and me that we absolutely needed a pet. Their argument was that they might not survive without a furry companion.
For years, we lived in rental homes that prohibited pets. And even when we moved to places that allowed them, various reasons led us to decline. Our lives were too unstable, the pet deposit was too steep, and we had significant travel plans on the horizon. We told the kids that if we ever settled down in a pet-friendly home, we would think about it. Until then, their persistent pleas would fall on deaf ears.
Then one day, we stumbled upon a captivating video about sugar gliders. If you’ve never seen one, they are truly fascinating and utterly adorable. Our kids were eager to adopt one, but after thorough research, we discovered that they are not the best pets. However, we learned that rats — yes, rats — can actually make wonderful companions. They are intelligent, social, and if you can overlook their long tails, quite charming. Plus, they could be kept in a cage, which our landlord permitted.
Before long, we found ourselves in the basement of a local rat enthusiast, just to explore the baby rat options. Have you ever encountered a baby rat? They are painfully cute. Our kids promised to take full responsibility for their care, vowing to keep their cage clean and ensure they always had food and water. So, we gave in and brought home two rats, named Cocoa and Midnight.
Did the kids keep their promises to clean the cage and tend to the rats without reminders? Yes, for a brief two weeks. Unfortunately, children’s promises about pet care are typically not reliable.
Ideally, the logical consequence for neglecting their responsibilities would be to rehome the pets. However, we wanted to give our kids a chance to prove themselves. Additionally, we had signed an agreement with the rat enthusiast, committing to treat the rats like family. They were simply too sweet to consider giving up.
Eventually, we settled into our own home, and the children reminded us of our earlier promise. We pointed out their shortcomings in caring for the rats, which led them to step up and become more responsible.
After a few months of persistence, we decided to visit the local shelter, just to “look” at the kittens. We should have known better. The kittens there were irresistibly adorable, and it was nearly impossible to leave without adopting one. Even my husband, who was initially against having an animal that could shed on our furniture, succumbed to the enchantment of a particularly affectionate black kitten. I thought it best to wait, but our animal-loving daughter had already set her sights on this cat — and my husband was completely charmed — so we brought the kitten home.
The kids assured us they would take full responsibility for the kitten’s care. They promised they would never complain about cleaning up after it. But alas, these were all empty promises.
Once again, it’s impossible to simply abandon a kitten once you’ve made the commitment. They are sweet, playful, and when you look into their eyes, it’s game over.
So, we devised chore charts and consequences. We reminded them repeatedly, even delivering impassioned lectures about responsibilities. We cursed the cat when it peed on our favorite hiking backpack. We grumbled about claw marks on the new furniture and the constant need for lint rollers. Every time we had to travel, we lamented the hassle of finding a pet sitter.
And then, what did we do? We adopted another kitten, because the local shelter is irresistibly persuasive, and you simply can’t resist looking into those adorable eyes.
I genuinely love our two cats, and I even have a soft spot for our rats (we are on our fifth and sixth rats, by the way). They are lovely companions. However, I wish I had recognized how quickly our children would tire of the responsibilities that come with pet ownership. If your child desires a pet, be aware that until they are old enough to drive to the vet or clean up messes effectively, a significant portion of the care will fall to you.
As a cat person, I find this only a mild inconvenience. But if you aren’t keen on animal care, stay firm in your decision. Your kids’ pets ultimately become your responsibility, regardless of their promises. If you’re unwilling to take on the burden of a family pet, steer clear of shelters. And for goodness’ sake, avoid looking any kitten or puppy in the eyes. Their cuteness is a black hole from which you may never escape.
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Summary
This article humorously explores the challenges of pet ownership from a parent’s perspective, emphasizing the tendency of children to overpromise their ability to care for pets. Ultimately, it serves as a cautionary tale for parents considering adding a furry friend to the family.