Big Sky 23 asked:
I ask because many of the younger couples that I know, myself included, choose to get a puppy or a kitten when they become serious (living together, engaged, or married). I suppose many of us, either subtly or flagrantly, do this to see what it might be like caring for another living creature and taking responsibility for its health, training, and general well-being. For the couples that I speak of, it is in preparation for making a decision on when, if ever, to have children.
I ask because many of the younger couples that I know, myself included, choose to get a puppy or a kitten when they become serious (living together, engaged, or married). I suppose many of us, either subtly or flagrantly, do this to see what it might be like caring for another living creature and taking responsibility for its health, training, and general well-being. For the couples that I speak of, it is in preparation for making a decision on when, if ever, to have children.
My question is directed at those who have raised both pets and kids. Have you found any correlation between raising the two? Did raising one help prepare you for raising the other? Were there parenting qualities that you found in yourself or your partner that were surprising?
My girlfriend and I have two small puppies and two neurotic cats, and might be engaged this summer. We’re both 24 and have been together about a year.
Let’s hear your story; I appreciate humor as well.
Never mind the typos. I really okay.
I’m. Wow, long morning already.
Brenda
{ 7 comments }
I notice that alot of people get pets before they decide to have children. TRUTHFULLY they are nothing alike. Raising a child is 1000x harder than a pet. Pets are so simple, you put food and water out for them, buy them a bed and take them to the vet when they need it. You leave them home and never rearrange your schedule for a pet.
Children, you hardly ever get a free minute. Its constant 24 hours a day care.
My husband and I had two puppies when we were dating. Now we have two children. Those puppy days: SO easy! Parenting days: HARD.
I think it does help in some way. You must provide and care for your pet on a daily (sometimes hourly) basis. But in a way, it’s different, because there is a difference in the love you can feel for a pet versus a child. Now I am not saying that you can’t ever have a situation where you love your pet as much as you would love a child, but you don’t plan for a pet’s future or encourage it to accomplish things in the world. It’s hard to say, but there is a difference. I am sure someone here will say it better than I am trying to. I love my pets as much as I could and I’d do anything for them, but the truth is that if they ever died, I would be sad for a while, but I would carry on. If my child died, it would be a whole different story. I would not be able to function at all. So I guess that’s the difference. I still love my pets and care for them as my “babies.”
I would say the similarities start and end at keeping it alive. A dog can be locked in a cage for hours, fed only twice a day and pretty much takes care of itself. Something tells me you wouldn’t have a child in your care for very long if you only fed it twice a day and locked it in a cage. Also, when your child soils in the house you typically don’t rub their nose in it or beat it with a rolled up newspaper. Any moron can have a dog, and although a lot of morons choose to have children, it doesn’t make it a good idea. Think about the last time you went anywhere in the general public where there were about 9,000 little kids running around screaming while their parents literally sat back and did nothing while their kids broke things, ran in front of people, etc. I’m sure a percentage of those people thought child-rearing would be somewhat equivalent to training a puppy. Animals are TRAINED; children are RAISED.
I have three children and have had cats and dogs my whole life. Caring for a pet or a child are alike in the fact that they are not able to care for themselves with out your love and patience. Kids and pets are messy, but love you unconditionally. Some people take it for granted and mistreat both of them. But it is my opinion that pet lovers are also very good parents when they decide to have children because they have learned to be patient with house training, giving love and attention to another being, and the responsibility to another’s safety and well-being.
LOL, NO, it nothing like having a pet. Pets can be left home alone, pets can wait an extra thirty minutes to eat, pets don’t go to school, pets don’t have nightmares, they don’t bring you home mother and father’s day noodle necklaces.
My ex and i had 2 cats beforee my daughter was born, and my husband and i had a cat befor my son was born… totally diff worlds!!! Love my cats but, “doing it” never had to be were they couldn’t see us, or trying stay quiet.
Love my cats but they don’t love me like my children do!! the sweet smile and warm kisses, yeah cats are great… but i would never trade my 3 kids.
why we do this i have no idea, me it’s because my men are push overs and i found my cute kitties that needed homes. Now I’m tripping over fat cats in the hall way, while another is being covered in toilet paper by my 5 year old……
raising my kittens didn’t help me to prepare for kids what so ever. I knew I’d be a good mom, some people dream of being cops, astronauts, and CEO’s. I dreamed of being “MOM”.
I think couples get pets to make their relationship more “permanent” in a way. Kind of saying that if we have a pet together, meaning that’s it’s both of ours, then we obviously aren’t planning on separating any time soon. Trust me, I’ve seen a few broken relationships go crazy over who gets ownership of the pet.
I’ve been with my boyfriend for 5 years and we’ve had numerous pets but I’ve always considered it either mine or his. We never really tried to make any of them both of ours.
We also have a 3 year old, and I can tell you right now, raising a pet is NOTHING like having a child. Not even closely related. With a pet, you can slack a little bit if you want and it’s not really gonna hurt anything. For example, if you want to take a nap, just put the dog in it’s crate or outside, and take a nap. With a child…YEAH RIGHT. Even though pets are a responsibility they are way more independent than a child is. Raising a pet may give you that sense of resposibility but it probably isn’t going to prepare you too much for a child.
in ways they’re alike
you have to feed them and give them water
you have to feed them
you have to train them
you have tolove them
you have to give them a nice place to sleep.
buy toys for them
play with them
clean up after them
in ways they are not alike.
they speak the same language you do.
you have to send them o school
hug them when they’re scared
buy clothes for them
buy books for them
you can teach them how to clen up afterthemselves