Pet Care Teaches Children Responsibility
Lucy Mao says her children once treated Chibi, their Alaskan husky, as their treasured possession.
That was in the beginning. Two years later, the novelty of having a dog has long since worn off. The California mom often hears groans and sighs when she reminds Monica, 10, Caitlin, 8, and Nathan, 7, to feed or walk the family pooch.
"I tell them, 'If you don't do it, who's going to do it?'" she says. "Chibi can't feed herself.'"
Tapping that sense of compassion is a smart step in teaching your kids to fulfill their responsibility to care for the pet they begged you to get, says Los Angeles psychologist Shari L. Kuchenbecker, Ph.D., who specializes in child development.
"Empathy is one of the finest skills to nurture in your child when it comes to caring for a pet," she says. Ask your kids how they would feel if they weren't fed or properly cared for. This will give your kids the pet's perspective, which can be very motivating.
The feeling of accomplishment can also be encouraging, so make sure your children can succeed at the chores you give them. "Don't give them a job that's bigger than they are," Dr. Kuchenbecker says. For younger kids, filling the water bowl could be a big achievement. Older kids can take charge of bathing the dog.
Such rewards can sometimes be a hard sell, however. Then it's time to get tough. Don't let your kids visit with friends or play in the park until they've taken care of Fido.
"Many parents don't want to be seen as the tough guy," says Dr. Kuchenbecker. "But you want your kids to grow up to be responsible, caring and capable individuals."