My mother used to have a rule about long hair that went something like this: 'You can have long hair when you are old enough to shampoo it, dry it, and style it yourself.'
My mother's long hair rule is now my pet rule. Yes, we've had pets. In fact, we've had as many as seven. Today we have two cats plus Candy the hamster. But periodically my daughter will bend my ear like so: 'Can't we get a dog? Please can't we get a dog? They're so cute, and ya know, so-and-so has a dog, and oh, I just want a dog.' And that's when I lean on my mother's rule (because dogs are more work than kitties): So you want to have a pet? Then you need more than a vague notion of how to care for it. When kids are truly responsible for the pets they own, lots of good things happen. One of them is that their thinking skills have a chance to deepen and grow. Here are some signs that your child is mentally ready for this kind of commitment. You can bring some of these ideas to consciousness by talking about them and seeing how receptive your child is. Before Your Pet Arrives Your child - is involved in the decision to get the pet
- talks frequently about having a pet
- actively seeks information about the needs of the animal (e.g., a specific breed)
- can describe her specific responsibilities once the pet arrives
- understands how the pet would affect his routine
After Your Pet Arrives Your child - executes her responsibilities MOST of the time
- can link the pet's behaviour to her own choices and actions
- knows that being in charge doesn't mean doing something stupid
- knows when to ask for help
And here's one more tip from the pet pros: if you're venturing into pet ownership for the first time, avoid buying a pet on impulse. Pets deserve thoughtful owners and kids need time to prepare for pet ownership. Following these simple guidelines will help your child get the most out of this wonderful experience.
Jessica Pegis is an author and consultant specializing in learning resources kids. She is the mother of 10-year-old Simone, her sternest critic and loudest cheerleader. Sign up today for KidSmart, her FREE e-zine, by going to http://www.talkplaythink.com Tips, games, and other fun (and brainy) stuff to do with kids. | 
