Kids are asking for hamsters. Please help!

[Lizardlicks]

Your daughter is the formidable one here. An 8 year old who is willing to do research to get a pet is a force to be reckoned with. BUT! This shows a great deal of forethought and maturity on her part, which is a good indicator that she may actually be ready for the responsibility of this pet. It can also be used as a learning tool: learning to research information and critically evaluate sources is a very valuable skill. She's going to need it for life.

Ask her to present her research! It doesn't have to be formal or anything, but since she put a lot of work into getting this info, have her write a report on the pet species. Don't make her go in blind, tell her specifically what you are looking for. She should list her sources so you can evaluate them independently. She should be able to gather information about their home environment, proper husbandry and care, socialization, life span, common captive ailments etc. Have her also outline a care routine. Does she have other obligations she has to honor that she will need to account for in that schedule? Is she going to be the sole care taker? If not, who is going to share the responsibility, and why tasks is she going to delegate? Is money/cost an issue? Is she willing to work for what she wants in exchange for the animal and its supplies? And at then end, you should sit down and have a frank talk. Highlight concerns that you have and see if she has a plan to address them. She's trying to approach you as an adult, or at least, as a person she wants the adults in her life to respect, so reward that by taking her seriously and being fair.

Your goal is to get her to think, evaluate, consider and then present her case to you. She's already taken some good steps, now's the time to to encourage and foster that. It will carry her a long way later on!