Great to read this thread Christie! Good for you! Mike and I really like to get our kids (ages 17-4) involved in all aspects of our pet's care (other than Mikey the 4 year old does not witness the snake feeding as he doesn't understand the difference between a feeder mouse and our pet rats yet).

We've found over the years and the kid's, that funny enough they need to be told that animals feel things. That they hurt just like we do and can feel pleasure from touch or a nice clean home or good food and clean water, just like people do (simplistic concept for a small child). That they need to be left alone sometimes just like people do. This has been a huge help in the kid's understanding that the animal has limits and is not some sort of glorified toy.

Also the concept that caged pets are "stuck" and that it isn't much fun being stuck in an enclosure if nobody gives you good care and reasonable attention. They wouldn't much like being stuck in their room with no tv or x-box or snacks and drinks, so it isn't fair that any of our family pets be left like that. They can relate to that concept and learn to respect the animals needs must be met every day.

As far as house rules we keep it simple.....no caged pets out w/o permission and supervision if taking the pet out around a visiting friend (kids tend to show off and pets can get hurt/lost also a great time for parents to educate the friends)....hand washing of course....no face licking by anything that can lick it's own butt....specific to the snake....all kids must be seated while handling the snake so they can't possibly drop it if it squirmed or nipped them....no sudden hand movements especially around the head area....when returning the snake a parent must double check the enclosure is clipped down properly....if something comes up you deal with the pet first and make sure it's put away safely BEFORE running to gab on the phone with a friend (important for the 2 teens LOL).

We just make it simple and straightforward. If the kids don't wish to comply, they don't play with the pets for a few days. Around here getting to feed the BP is a major deal, so they all want to be in the "good books" by feeding day LOL.


~~Jo~~