The Upside of Life with Pets: Child Development and Family Connection
We’re animal lovers at TLC. Staff members happily consider their dogs, cats, and even goldfish to be part of the fam. Our love for pets runs deep because we’ve come to learn how beneficial they are in contributing to a joyful and tight-knit family. I’ll break this down below as we consider the beautiful and sometimes surprising ways our pets shape our homes and help our children grow.
Bonding and Personal Growth
The connection between children and pets is powerful. At times, almost fantastical. Are they speaking the same language and openly dialoguing when we leave the room? Kids are innocent, curious, and can love unconditionally. We could describe many animals the same way. Maybe that’s why they have an undeniable bond. This unique bond can also be an incredible opportunity for a child’s growth.
Feeding the dog or cleaning the hamster’s cage can be a dreaded chore, but when a child habitually completes these tasks, he learns responsibility and gains a sense of accomplishment. Taking care of another living being shows kids that their actions matter. When the dog is well-exercised, he’s typically less restless in the evening. If he doesn’t get out for a walk, he’s rammy and sometimes gets into trouble. Learning these life lessons at a young age can transfer to other areas of life as our children grow.
Children and pets form an emotional bond, too. Children sense when pets are frightened or excited. They see how animals have feelings just like they do and learn how to practice sensitivity and compassion. Knowing how to express emotions is a game changer in adulthood. Pets help our kids get a head start.
Pets and Emotional Health
Speaking of emotions, pets are incredibly gifted in comforting their owners in times of need. You know this if you’re a pet person. A pet can be a soothing presence for children, especially during moments of stress or sadness. Think about your student or child getting off the bus after a bad day. She sees her dog wagging its tail, excitedly waiting to show unconditional love. That kind of greeting has a way of making the day feel a little brighter.
Research has shown that pet ownership can reduce stress and anxiety in children, particularly when they feel alone or unsure. Pets serve as emotional anchors, a constant in a child’s life, while many other aspects of life change as they grow up. Pets can also be used in therapeutic settings to help children cope with challenging life events, grief, or anxiety.
Beyond these individual benefits, pets can lift the emotional climate of the entire household. First, there’s the excitement of bringing home a new pet. Then, families laugh together when their pet does something silly or cute. Have you known the joy of watching a family movie with your dog or cat snuggled next to you? Those are sweet moments. Pet ownership contributes a ton to a family’s connection and happiness. American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry gives guidelines and tips for successfully bringing a pet into a home.
Though it’s never easy to talk about, losing a pet can be a profound and formative experience for a family. This sadness can be the first time children touch significant grief. It’s an opportunity to learn about life’s brevity, understand that death is a part of everyone’s experience, and develop healthy ways of processing and discussing difficult emotions. For children, this can be a first step in understanding and coping with loss, offering them tools they will inevitably need later in life.
The Lifelong Impact of Having Pets
Studies clearly prove pets’ influence on family dynamics and child development. The impact is both profound and lasting. The lessons learned from having a pet extend far beyond childhood, shaping the kind of people our children grow up to be. So, whether you’re already a pet-owning family or on the fence about becoming one, you can be sure the benefits you’ll reap are far more than the occasional cozy purr. The furry friends in our home teach life lessons, offer us shared memories, and contribute to our children becoming kind, responsible, and emotionally intelligent adults.
About TLC Wellness
TLC Wellness is dedicated to serving individuals of all ages and addressing a broad spectrum of mental health needs. The mission is to provide compassionate and effective therapy services, tailored to each person’s unique circumstances, to promote healing, resilience, and holistic well-being within the community. By utilizing proven modalities such as cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure and response prevention, acceptance and commitment therapy tools, and family systems/relational models, TLC Wellness strives to empower individuals on their journey toward a more authentic and fulfilling life.