Please Don’t Give Your Kids a Pet for Christmas
When you are looking at and checking off the gifts on your child’s wish list this year, you may notice that they are asking for a pet. Your son may have made it very clear recently to you and your ex-spouse that he really wants a puppy for Christmas. However, you both shrugged it off, thinking that it was just an idea that he developed while passing the local pet store.
Now you are realizing and wondering if you should purchase or adopt a furry four-legged friend for your child before Christmas gets here. While this may seem like a good idea for your child to have something to take care of and grow up with, it is actually a very bad idea that you should avoid for as long as you can. Here are eight reasons why you should not give your kids a pet for Christmas this year from our San Antonio family law attorneys.
1. Pets typically cannot be exchanged or returned if your child is not ready for the responsibility
You may think that it is cute and harmless for your child to want and receive a pet this Christmas. However, if you do not make sure that your child is 100 percent ready for a new pet, this could turn into a disastrous situation quickly. For example, your child may ask for a new gaming system, and you learn that they are too immature to handle that right now, resulting in you returning or exchanging it for something else. Unfortunately, it is not that simple with a pet. Most pet shops or pet breeders will not allow you to exchange or return pets. Therefore, you are stuck with the pet, wondering if you can give it away, drop it off at your local pound, or sell it to another family.
2. The stresses of Christmas may not be a good time to add an animal to your home:
Christmas is most likely not a good time to add an animal to your home. There may be lots of gift wrapping, family events, and unexpected time spent outside of the home, making it difficult to train and tend to the needs of the new pet. On top of that, if you are recently divorced and navigating co-parenting, this is likely a very stressful time for your child who is coping with their new parent visitation schedule.
3. Your child may be away from home a lot
After determining how holidays are handled in the standard possession order, you may realize that your child will be away from home a lot. This may seem like a good time to take your mind off your child and focus on training the new pet. However, that may be more difficult than you think if you are sad and constantly thinking about not spending the holidays with your child. Therefore, the pet may become neglected or miss out on forming a bond and getting to know your child for a while.
4. The new pet may suffer as well
Although you may think that only your child will suffer when they leave for their other parent’s home, you may quickly notice that the new pet is suffering as well. This is because puppies and kittens tend to become attached to children, especially if they spend a lot of time with them. Therefore, you may find the pet constantly looking for your child, laying on their bed, or even waiting by the front door in hopes that they will return at any given moment.
5. Cats and dogs are living creatures, not toys to put away
Immediately after giving the pet to your child, you may think that it was a wonderful decision. They seem happy and excited about their new furry animal. However, after a few hours, days, or weeks, you may start to see that the child is no longer interested in the pet that you bought or adopted for them. This is because kids’ attention spans are very low, and they may be interested in something one day and over it the next. While toys can be thrown into the toy box when they are done being played with, a pet requires constant attention even when you do not feel like providing it.
6. Animals live for many years and need proper training
Most animals can live for one to two decades. Therefore, if you know that your child is not ready for that type of commitment nor can provide the proper training that it needs, do not consider buying them a pet. Instead, you should spend months or even years talking about the responsibility of having a new dog or cat and have your child show you that they are ready for this. Explain to them that they must be fed, brushed, bathed, trained, played with, and more.
7. New pets can actually be overwhelming for children who are learning to cope with their new reality
Just like parents, children are heavily affected by a divorce. They may be used to seeing both of their parents together all the time and are having a difficult time adjusting to going from home to home and splitting their time between each parent. In addition, divorce with children can change the way holiday celebrations look in your home. Adding a new pet to the mix can actually be extremely overwhelming for children who are struggling with their new reality.
8. Your ex-spouse may not agree with your decision to buy the pet or allow it at their house
Of course, you can buy your child whatever you want for your house as long as it isn’t something dangerous, does not put them in harm’s way, and is age appropriate. However, some things you may want to discuss with your ex-spouse, such as a new pet. The reason that it is typically suggested to discuss this is because the child may want the pet to go with them from house to house, which is understandable. However, your ex-spouse may disagree with your decision to buy the pet and possibly not allow it at their house, which is their right. You should discuss and communicate with them about this before deciding on a whim to give your child a pet for Christmas.
Parents who are going through a divorce may have countless questions and concerns. This is normal, as they want to make sure that their children are happy and thriving at all times. If you need legal advice regarding your children during or after a divorce, please do not hesitate to get in touch with Grable Grimshaw, PPLC at your earliest convenience. Our San Antonio divorce attorneys always have your children’s best interests in mind, and you can rest assured knowing that we will never steer you wrong when it comes to any decision related to your child. Call or contact us for free and helpful advice today.