Teaching Your Kids Virtues And Coping With Loss Through Pets

Who doesn’t love seeing their four-legged buddy wagging their tail when we get home from work or school? We sure do!

So, it’s safe to say that it’s no secret our pets form an important (and adorable) part of our lives, right?

Pets are more than just furry, feathered or fishy friends, though. They’re invaluable teachers, helping our kids develop essential life skills and emotional resilience – pretty important stuff they need in adulthood.

Pets build bonds with humans in more ways than we know. They teach our children how to care for things, be reliable, interpret non-verbal communication, show empathy and, inevitably, deal with tough emotions when they enter doggy heaven. 

It’s our parental duty to instil good life lessons in our children before they leave the nest, and having a family pet might just be the answer you’ve been looking for…

Teaching Virtues Through Pet Ownership

Owning a pet teaches kids a lot about life, from responsibility to patience and everything in between. These essential skills are super important as they grow older and head into the big, wide world of adulthood. 

Let’s take a closer look:

Responsibility

Having a pet is like having a tiny sidekick who depends on you 24/7. This teaches kids about long-term commitment and responsibility.

Daily tasks like feeding, walking, and grooming show our children how to care for, respect, and love another living being. Kids quickly understand the importance of these tasks and that pets rely on them every day, rain or shine.

These lessons instil a deep sense of duty and discipline in our children which transcend to other areas in their lives as they grow.

Empathy and compassion

Kids living with and caring for a pet develop compassion and empathy better than non-pet households. They learn to put themselves in their pet’s shoes and figure out non-verbal cues, like when their furry friend is hungry or afraid. 

This understanding builds emotional connections and develops a caring, empathic nature.

Younger children, in particular, learn to treat a four-legged companion as their best friend and confidant. In fact, pets may even [spark conversations about their feelings] when they’re feeling blue. 

Patience

Training a pet requires determination, persistence and A LOT of patience. Interacting with pets helps children learn to respect their companions’ boundaries and understand their needs, instilling patience at every turn.

Children who learn to handle these challenges and setbacks develop resilience and perseverance. For instance, a child may become frustrated when a pet does not respond to commands immediately. Through these experiences, children learn that patience is necessary for training and building relationships with both animals and peers.

Benefits Of Pet Ownership

If positive virtues like responsibility and empathy aren’t enough for you, the benefits of pet ownership keep getting better. 

Positive relationships with pets can boost our children’s self-esteem and confidence. Such relationships nurture their social-emotional health, encourage physical movement to reduce the likelihood of developing obesity, and teach kids the importance of budgeting and financial planning. 

Let’s take a closer look:

• Social-emotional health: Kids who grow up with pets often develop stronger emotional resilience. Having a furry or feathered friend can provide comfort and companionship, helping to reduce feelings of loneliness and anxiety.

Studies show that children with a close bond to their pets are less likely to develop anxiety or other mental health disorders later in life.

• Physical activity: Pets need exercise! Walking, playing fetch, or even just chasing a cat around the house can encourage kiddos to be more active. Regular physical activity is crucial for curbing childhood obesity and related cardiovascular diseases. 
• Good behaviour: Training a dog, cat or horse not only teaches our kids empathy and patience but also how good behaviour is rewarded (and appreciated!). When kids give their pets a command and dish out treats when they follow that command, they indirectly learn about incentives and following the rules.
• Time management: Pets need a consistent schedule. Feeding, playtime and walking must fit into daily life on top of school work, sports and screen time. This teaches kids how to manage their time and prioritise tasks.
• Financial planning: Owning a pet isn’t cheap. It comes with costs like food, vet bills and toys. This can be a great way to teach older kids the concept of budgeting and saving.

Pet Lessons: Learning About Loss And Grief

It’s tough to think about, but our furry (or feathery) friends aren’t going to be around forever. 

Losing a pet is really hard, especially for kids. Believe it or not, going through this can be a momentous life lesson and helps kids understand life a little better.

Here’s how:

• Understanding the life cycle: Openly discussing the natural ageing process and life span of pets (and humans!) can help children prepare for the inevitable. This is particularly helpful when a family member passes away and kids are faced with big emotions to deal with.
• Coping with loss: When a pet passes away, it’s important to provide children with a safe space to express their emotions. Validate their feelings, answer their questions honestly, and offer comfort and support during these difficult times.
• Ways for discussing death: Use age-appropriate language to explain death and mourning. If you’re religious, you can use this time to explain the concept of heaven or other spiritual realms. This comforts kids as they know their pet has gone to a better place.
• Celebrate memories: Creating keepsakes or having a special place in the garden can help children honour their pet’s memory and find closure. As a thought, celebrate your pet’s birthday each year to keep their memory alive.

Expert insights

Experts reveal that pets teach children valuable life lessons like responsibility, trust, compassion, respect and patience. Pet ownership can potentially reduce cortisol levels (a.k.a. the stress hormone), encourage better emotional health and boost oxytocin levels (the “attachment/love” hormone) in our brains.

Pets have also been shown to have a positive impact on children diagnosed with autism or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

And if that’s not enough, pets uplift youngster’s self-psychology – self-esteem, self-cohesion, self-acceptance – by reducing feelings of loneliness, increasing feelings of social support and boosting their moods.

The Conversation Continues

As you can see, owning a pet teaches the entire family about love, life, and loss. It’s never easy saying goodbye to a furry, feathery, scaly, or slimy pal, but the good times and what our kids learn are totally worth it! 

Children who understand the nature of caring for a pet grow up to be happier, more empathetic, compassionate and responsible adults. Plus, they learn how to bounce back from what life throws at them more easily.

So, how do you get your kids involved in looking after their pets? Or maybe you’re thinking about adding a new furry member to the family? We’d love to hear your stories and tips. Share your thoughts in the comments below!

We’d love to hear what you think…