Muncie, IN 47306. Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action . In fact, bringing a new pet into the family household on Christmas morning could be one of the worst times for both the pet and the household, said Dan Lapsley, an educational psychologist. Many families have the whole day planned and there is little time left over for the new pet. Simply, you don't want a pet to be lost in all that hoopla.
Many parents make a mistake when using a pet as a method to teach a child about responsibility.
It is unreasonable for parents to think that a five or six year-old can be able to care for a pet all by themselves, Lapsley said. A child in middle school may be able to take better care, but they still need a great deal of guidance and assistance from parents. There must be a partnership between children and parents to make sure that the best interests of the pet are met, Lapsley said. He advises bringing a pet into the home as a family venture. That way youngsters may learn how to care for the animal by watching their parents or older siblings.