Parents Thread! (let's add more!) ^_^

[rach913]

BIG thing I felt I should share with other parents:  I'm a 23 yr. old mom to a 1.5 yr. old son.  I never worry about our pets getting hurt, & feel I should share the method I used to help your child learn how to be the same.  1st yr. ages is the intro stage.  Simply hold your pet near your tot & gently pet it, saying: "This is a __" (in this case, rat lol).  Your child learns that it's OK to touch.  Note: Kids get excited!  By now, it should be easy for parents to read their tot's cues, so before the hands get squeezey, take your child out of the situation.  This act will teach them: If you get too excited, time to leave them alone until you settle down.  Once your child settles, they may touch the pet again.  If they end up smacking etc., cooldown time.  This teaches him the proper way to interact with your pet(s).  In cases of rats, let them hold them, but keep your rules.  If you have any questions, I'll try my best to help, but I feel moms/dads should have a place to learn pet/child stuff, no? :-) Rach

[Jaguar]

My two and a half year old nephew LOVES my rats...  Has all along, especially Miles.  Every time he comes in my room he points at the cage and tells me to take him out, lol. I never had to really explain to him what they were or how he had to treat them - he's pretty good with all animals and thinks it's hilarious when they lick food off his fingers    He gets a little bit excited when they're out on the floor or bed so if he starts bouncing around I put them back in their cage and tell him he has to sit still or else they go away, haha 

[rach913]

Awes! ^_^  I, personaly trust in a rat far more than a hamster lol  Even growing up, the hamster was too nippy!  No rat has ever nipped for being awakened :-)  So neat to see there's more who enjoys rats so early in ages, too ^_^