pets or children
By Wizzywig
@Wizzywig (7847)
June 30, 2008 3:00pm CST
No doubt I will get some aggressive responses to this but, here goes!
First let me say that I am not aiming criticism or judging people whose personal circumstances are unknown to me. This is just an observation - so do not take it as a personal attack. I am not suggesting for one second that we dont all love our children but maybe pre-natal could offer more help.
It seems to me that more advice is given to prepare people for owning a pet than for having children. Prospective pet owners are asked to consider that 'a dog is for life' and warned of the commitment and time involved in its care. They are informed that the resposibility of keeping that pet may not always be convenient to them. On that advice they decide whether to have pets and how many. Yet, so often, we hear of people who cannot deal with their children being at home for school holidays. Maybe, if this was brought up by ante-natal/parenting classes people could prepare for it before it happened. Advice could be given and part-time care could be offered at affordable rates. Sorry but, IMHO, if you choose to have children, you accept the responsibility for those children until they grows up - whether you have one or lots.
OK I'm ready for the verbal onslaught.
1 person likes this
5 responses
@fwidman (11514)
• United States
30 Jun 08
No verbal onslaught here. I agree with you, we do tend to give people better advice about pet ownership than children. Whether you give birth to it or marry into it, a child is for life. You must deal with it even when that means giving something up for yourself. I watched my mother go hungry as a kid just to ensure that I had something to eat. It was painful to watch but she did it out of her love for me and that taught me that when I had kids I would do the same for them if I had to. Most parents do not have to go to such extremes, but they do give things up for their children and that is how it should be. This is something that should be taught to prospective parents :)
@fiveisallofus (273)
• United States
4 Jul 08
You know when you take a dog or cat home from a sheltter you have to have the right enviroment and specific directions to bring them home to. Fenced yard, kids or no kids, other pets or not etc, etc. But there are no rules on who is aloud to have kids. I think that all parents should have to go through a class or two. Just as they take lamaze they should take a parenting class but it should be a requirement.
Just the other day I was at a Bday party and this lady pulls up opens up the van door and out jump her two 5 year olds and a 3 year old and she just drives off!! And then has the nerve to be 1 hour late to pick them up!!! I felt so bad for the kids, I mean how often does this lady probably pawn her kids off on other people!!
Not all people deseve to have kids.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (182384)
• United States
30 Jun 08
Actually I think that classes are a wonderful idea. Far too few people know what they are actually getting into when they have children. If they did maybe they would think twice and there would not be so many neglected and abused kids running around.
@Wizzywig (7847)
•
4 Jul 08
I think maybe certain areas are covered - most parents I come into contact with seem to be fully informed of all the financial help and childcare facilities which are available now but they haven't always considered who will take care of the child if its unwell. I've worked in schools and daycare centres where children have been brought in with D&V, chest infections etc etc. I've heard staff ring the parent of a vomiting child at lunchtime only to be told 'I'm at work. I can't come and get her until 5.30'. I appreciate that many parents have to work but it wasn't fair on the child, the staff or the other children and their families. (An extreme case I know)
@dragonfly242 (1060)
• Bahamas
4 Jul 08
Hi wizzywig!
No verbal attack here.
As parent, we try to prepare ourselves for having kids, but i dont care how much you try you can never be fully prepared.
There is a great responsibility that comes with having children, and some people just dont live up to their responsibilities.But there are those that do a very good job and very rarely complain.
I'm now on vacation and my kids are home from school,and i'm having fun with them so far{fingers crossed}
No complaints here, at least not yet.
@Wizzywig (7847)
•
4 Jul 08
Oh, I think the parents who do a great job are the majority and, being a parent is very much a learning experience. I just think its so sad to hear people wanting to pack their children back off to school before the vacation's hardly started. Hope you and yours continue to have fun!
@kezabelle (2974)
•
30 Jun 08
Id have to disagree, anyone can go out get a pet and thats it no check ups nothing, at least when pregnant the help is there there will be someone that knows you are pregnant and will be trying to keep an eye on you, classes are on offer and are there to take if you so wish.
I think to be honest the reason they dont harp on about how children are for life etc is because lets face it general consensus with normal adults is that yes your children are for life thats why most people know that dont they.
@sid556 (30959)
• United States
4 Jul 08
Parenting classes are offered in most high schools now. Heck, I took one back in the 70's and it was rather basic...now they are way more involved. Even if they take them...it isn't going to change a thing. Those that care are going to be the ones to take them. The ones that are lousy parents are usually the ones that don't bother take classes. some of the very worst parents get pregnant not even thinking of or considering birth control. they just don't care and no amount of education is going to make them care. even if you forced them to sit in on classes...they would not learn..they don't care. If they cared they'd be seeking help.
@Wizzywig (7847)
•
4 Jul 08
Yes, but maybe the parenting classes should be given before pregnancy to give people the opportunity to defer until they've really considered the responsibility they're taking on. Previous generations got on fine without such classes but we are living in a different kind of society now - IMHO
1 person likes this
