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 Is your voice beginning to sound like a broken record? Are you always nagging your kids to do their homework? Are you having trouble motivating your child to stop watching TV or playing video games and to play outside instead? Then consider making a pet part of your family.
Many people are aware of the health benefits that come from having a pet, including lowering high blood pressure, preventing heart disease and combating depression. However, what parents may not realize is that adding Spot, Polly or Mr. Whiskers to the family can be advantageous to the other bundles of joy "scampering" around your house-your kids!
While little children are too young to worry about preventing stress or lowering health care costs, they can experience numerous benefits from having a family pet.
Pets, whether a dog, cat, bird, hamster, reptile or fish, help children gain a sense of independence that can set them on the path to becoming mature, responsible adults.
Pets Teach Kids To Be Responsible Children can learn the importance of responsibility at an early age by acting as a caretaker for a pet. Fish are a terrific first pet because children can play a large role in caring for them. However, other pets that require more attention, like a cat or dog, can present an ideal opportunity for parent and child to bond while caring for the pet together. Showing children what it means to be responsible for another creature's survival can result in teaching important life lessons such as discipline, patience, kindness and attentiveness.
Pets Can Help Kids Develop Discipline Walking the dog, feeding the guinea pig and talking to the parrot can serve as fun study breaks for kids, and a replacement for television programs and video games. These pet-related activities help children remain focused on the task at hand, and are less likely to become distractions that will prevent homework and chores from being completed.
Pets Prepare Kids For Life Situations Bringing a pet home and into the family can be an effective way to help prepare children for real life scenarios. For example, pets can ease the transition of suddenly having to share mom and dad's attention with a new brother or sister by demonstrating how much fun new playmates can be, as well as what is involved in caring for another. Pets can also help kids learn to deal with medical issues and illnesses as they are exposed to routine veterinarian check-ups with their pet, and the treatments for various ailments. from www.petloveshack.com
Aquarium Concepts 2110 E 70th St Shreveport, LA (318) 798-3474 www.aquariumconcepts.net
The Pet Zone 8925 Jewella Av Shreveport, LA (318) 686-0818
Petco 6596 Youree Dr Shreveport, LA (318) 524-0540 www.petco.com
Pets First (318) 865-4700 288 Southfield Rd Shreveport, LA
Critter Company 811 Benton Rd Bossier City, LA (318)-742-9129
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