Instilling Care and Responsibility in Kids Through Fish

Instilling Care and Responsibility in Children Through Fish

This article is sponsored by PetSmart. All views are my own.

Recently, I noticed that my younger kids, ages seven and nine, have been quite self-centered. It felt like the right moment to teach them about responsibility.

After discussing it with my husband, we thought that getting them a small pet, like a fish, might open their eyes to new experiences and teach them essential life skills. The task of feeding the fish twice daily and maintaining their environment would make learning these lessons enjoyable.

We visited our neighborhood PetSmart to select our new companions! Emma immediately gravitated towards the betta fish due to its stunning fins and vibrant colors. Given my prior experience with bettas, I concurred that they would make excellent, resilient pets.

Ethan chose a fish that matched the red and blue scheme of his room, while Emma opted for one in her favorite hue of light blue. The excitement in their voices as they prepared to bring home a new aquatic buddy was unmistakable!

Indeed, I referred to it as a friend! The children were already chatting with their fish as we strolled through the store selecting the necessary supplies. If you’re considering introducing a small pet to your child, click here to learn more!

This is one of the many advantages of giving your child a small pet. Kids often perceive their pets as companions, which fosters a protective attitude toward them. Explaining the importance of maintaining a calm environment helps them grasp the necessity for respectful behavior. It’s a win-win situation, wouldn’t you agree?

I observed that both kids began to think about the fish’s needs while selecting items for the aquarium. We discussed not only what might look nice in the tank but also what would be practical for the fish to hide in or around.

The journey home was heartwarming. Both children cradled their fish and were deep in conversation about their new homes. Emma reassured her fish, saying, “Everything is okay now. You have a new home!” Ethan pondered out loud what he should name his fish.

The process of setting up the tanks turned into an enriching learning experience. We talked about why soap wasn’t suitable for cleaning the rocks and ornaments and the necessity of carefully preparing the tank. They measured the water conditioner and checked for temperature compatibility, learning math and science concepts in the process—all while caring for their pet!

After placing their tanks in their rooms, we talked about feeding routines and the consequences of overfeeding our aquatic friends. I was pleasantly surprised by how engaged my children were during our discussion about their new companions.

After observing the fish for a while, the kids resumed their usual activities. About an hour later, Ethan came to inform me of something significant. He declared that he would have to cut back on his video game time because he wanted to focus on taking care of his fish. I stifled a laugh and remarked that perhaps that was a wise decision. For the next couple of hours, Ethan played in his room while chatting with his new friend.

It warms my heart to see Emma and Ethan embarking on this journey together. They share a common objective—to keep their new friend healthy and happy—which cultivates teamwork and responsibility. Instead of squabbling, they are forming a deeper bond and sharing this enriching experience.

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