Tip Tuesday- get your children around animals!

Before I begin, I feel the need to say I am not an expert, I am merely sharing what we do in our family and what works for us. You do you.

I know a lot of families don’t own pets, and that’s ok! There are other ways to get your children around animals. I believe this is such an important thing for your children to be exposed to and learn about. You could expose your child to animals through friends, family or neighbors pets. As well as just taking them to parks and seeing dogs, going to a stable for horses, petting zoo, or even just the local zoo. You could even read books about animals. The best option- go outdoors! There is a plethora of wildlife and it’s free!

Get it? Animals- big, small, creepy crawly or ones that fly. Neighs, oinks, woofs, clucks.

Ok, you get it! But “why is it so important?!” you may ask….

There are five main reasons it is important to get your children around animals

The first two reasons are a close tie for first place! But ultimately, one came out ahead

1. Teach children to respect animals
2. Teach responsibility
3. Teach vocabulary
4. Friendship and fun
5. Confidence and bravery

Are number 4 and 5 two-in-one? Maybe. But I thought they went hand in hand, so I counted them as one.

In my family, we are so fortunate to be around animals everyday. I always dreamed of having a barefoot baby running around feeding the animals, and I now have that (*holding back happy tears*)

Everyday, my son is lucky enough to be around dogs (big and small), chickens, horses, goats, birds, fish and so many bugs….unfortunately

However, the reason why number one came out on top is because this is where I have seen the biggest impact on his life. My son is SO gentle with all animals he comes across and I believe it is because he has been exposed to them everyday.

1. Respect

Teach children to have respect for animals and handle them gently. This is SO important for not only the health and safety of the animal BUT YOUR CHILD!

Unfortunately we hear too many stories about the beloved family dog turning on their toddler…..

We have a 100 lb Great Pyrenees mix and they are bred to be “guardian” dogs. Our dog, Bodie, lives up to that title. Ever since we brought home Logan, Bodie was a changed dog. He loves and protects Logan with everything he has. I feel sorry for the fool who tries to harm Logan with Bodie present. Bodie puts up with a lot from Logan- smooshy face kisses, climbing over him, rough pats etc but we are always there to let Logan know when it is too rough for Bodie or when he is in Bodie’s face too much. It’s important to watch for the signs of your dog becoming frustrated.

Another reason we teach Logan to respect dogs is because just because our dogs are friendly, doesn’t mean every dog wants a toddler in their face.

Logan is also gentle with our chickens and knows how to pick them up correctly. He feeds the goats with an open palm and pets the horse on his neck or back.

2. Responsibility

Responsibility- Logan is just now getting to the age where he is starting to help feed our pets, give them water and clean up after them. Before this, he mostly just wanted to eat their food with them.

I know this is a common reason why a lot of parents get their children pets.

3. Vocabulary

Most of Logan’s vocabulary has to do with animals and their sounds. Since we have gotten the chickens, he has added “hawk” to his vocabulary. He can tell you what all the farm animals say and identify them. He also noticed our neighbor horse had a new fly mask on the other day and patted his head and said “hat!”

He knows what carrots are because the animals eat them, he knows what poop is (fortunately or unfortunately) because of the animals, he calls them to him, he can tell you what animal he hears just based on the sound…. The list goes on and on.

They say when you have a newborn who can not yet talk, one of the most important thing to do is narrate your day to them and just talk talk talk! Most of our life then was just surrounded by animals so I would narrate what the animals were doing!

4. Friendship/Fun

Friendship/ fun. This is a big one too! Every morning we sing a “good morning” song with Logan where we name everyone who is important to them and say good morning!

“ good morning to mama, we’re so glad to see you! Good morning to dada, we’re so glad to see you too!”

We pause at the name part and let Logan choose who we sing about.

100% of the time…. The first person he sings good morning to is Bodie.

Wherever Logan is, Bodie is right there too.

Now that Logan is getting older, he’s starting to actually play with Bodie. Hearing the giggles, screeches and happy woofs mixed together…. It warms my heart.

It does break my heart thinking about how Logan doesn’t know a life without Bodie, and one day we will have to face that….(dogs need to live longer)…..but that’s YEARS down the road hopefully.

The bond your child can have with their animals is unmatched.

I’m sure you’re thinking of one you’ve had too. (We miss you Kenny.)

5. Confidence/ Bravery

I’ll be the first to admit, when it comes to bugs it’s a big “NOPE” from me. I’m trying not to pass that anxiety onto my son, so every time he brings me a bug I will (un)happily take it from him!

I have had some truly proud mom moments when I have seen my son be brave while other kiddos have shied away when it has come to feeding, holding and dealing with animals.

I hope he can be a positive influence on those around him how to respect and love animals, big and small