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Children Age 0-1 Years
Children Age 1-5 Years
Children Age 6-12 Years
Children Age 13-17 Years
Adult Children
Children with Special Needs
Children Age 1-5 Years
Children Age 6-12 Years
Children Age 13-17 Years
Adult Children
Children with Special Needs
Child Development
Resources
Child raising portals specifically for
children in these age groups
Resources
Child raising portals specifically for
children in these age groups
These are topics that people ask about all of
the time, there are discussion forums and
community groups with each
the time, there are discussion forums and
community groups with each
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Have a parenting problem??
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Discussion Group, to get help
from other Parents!
Have a parenting problem??
Talk about it in Sara's Circle,
the Child Care Community
Discussion Group, to get help
from other Parents!
Sara's Cheat Sheets are parenting check lists and
guides to doing a good and thorough job in those
challenging first time tasks that parents come
across. If you have suggestions or additions
please write to sara@parentingwithsara.com
guides to doing a good and thorough job in those
challenging first time tasks that parents come
across. If you have suggestions or additions
please write to sara@parentingwithsara.com
Welcome to ParentingwithSara.com
featuring Parenting Advice, Child
Care and Child Raising Advice. Sara
not only has children and grand
children, but also has a degree in
Psychology, a masters degree in
Family Counseling and was a family
specialist in Lousville, Ky for more
than 10 years.
featuring Parenting Advice, Child
Care and Child Raising Advice. Sara
not only has children and grand
children, but also has a degree in
Psychology, a masters degree in
Family Counseling and was a family
specialist in Lousville, Ky for more
than 10 years.
Dear Sara answers parenting and child raising
questions from readers, new columns are
posted on Mondays and Thursdays, this column
was published November 16, 2009
Dear Sara,
My neighbor’s cat just had kittens.
My 3 and 5 year olds are fascinated
and are begging me to let them have
one. I know that I will end up being
the one to feed the cat and empty
the litter box, even though they
promise to do this. I am also
worried that they are too young to
understand that this is not an
inanimate object and will hurt the
cat or that he will retaliate and hurt
them. Do you think they are old
enough for a pet?
Martina
Dear Martina,
Having a pet is a good way to teach
your children empathy. They need to
know that their pet has feelings and
can be hurt just as they can.
It will be up to you to teach them how
to treat their pet. Kittens are cute and
fun to play with but an older cat might
be something to consider as well. You
could take your kids to the local
animal shelter and let them pick one
out. Their pet would already be
spayed or neutered and you could
pick out one who had a temperament
that would be compatible with
children.
You might need a cat that would be
somewhat laid back and easy going
who wouldn’t mind being hugged or
dressed in doll clothes. You will
probably be doing a good deed by
saving this pet from being euthanized.
A cat may be a good first pet for
children since it is fairly easy for them
to escape to a safe place like under
the bed or a high spot when they get
tired of being played with.
Cats are fairly easy to take care of
and shouldn’t be too much extra work
for you. Sometimes after a busy day
you might also enjoy the comfort of a
purring cat in your lap. A pet can
involve some work (like cleaning up
cat hair or trying to keep your
furniture from being clawed) but can
also have some benefits as well.
Kids lose interest in things fairly
quickly, so you might want to decide if
you want the cat or not.
Sara
questions from readers, new columns are
posted on Mondays and Thursdays, this column
was published November 16, 2009
Dear Sara,
My neighbor’s cat just had kittens.
My 3 and 5 year olds are fascinated
and are begging me to let them have
one. I know that I will end up being
the one to feed the cat and empty
the litter box, even though they
promise to do this. I am also
worried that they are too young to
understand that this is not an
inanimate object and will hurt the
cat or that he will retaliate and hurt
them. Do you think they are old
enough for a pet?
Martina
Dear Martina,
Having a pet is a good way to teach
your children empathy. They need to
know that their pet has feelings and
can be hurt just as they can.
It will be up to you to teach them how
to treat their pet. Kittens are cute and
fun to play with but an older cat might
be something to consider as well. You
could take your kids to the local
animal shelter and let them pick one
out. Their pet would already be
spayed or neutered and you could
pick out one who had a temperament
that would be compatible with
children.
You might need a cat that would be
somewhat laid back and easy going
who wouldn’t mind being hugged or
dressed in doll clothes. You will
probably be doing a good deed by
saving this pet from being euthanized.
A cat may be a good first pet for
children since it is fairly easy for them
to escape to a safe place like under
the bed or a high spot when they get
tired of being played with.
Cats are fairly easy to take care of
and shouldn’t be too much extra work
for you. Sometimes after a busy day
you might also enjoy the comfort of a
purring cat in your lap. A pet can
involve some work (like cleaning up
cat hair or trying to keep your
furniture from being clawed) but can
also have some benefits as well.
Kids lose interest in things fairly
quickly, so you might want to decide if
you want the cat or not.
Sara