Being a kid has its ups and downs, and struggling with identity, bullying, and understanding self-worth is common with both younger children and teenagers. As a parent, it can be heartbreaking to see your child go through these struggles, and concern over their well-being can leave you feeling anxious and stressed yourself. If you are seeing signs of low self-esteem, anxiety, or depression in your child at the moment, perhaps getting them a pet if they don’t already have one could help? Below are a few examples of how pets can boost people’s moods and self-esteem.
Comfort
One of the main benefits of having a pet is that it can be wonderful and providing comfort. Having a cat or dog coming to cuddle with you when you’re feeling blue might not fix all of your problems, but those small acts of love from your pet can help to put a little smile on your face and soothe you when you’re not feeling quite like yourself.
Loyalty
Perhaps one of the reasons your child is struggling with low self-esteem is because they don’t have a good circle of friends at this point in their life. Feeling isolated, or like you’re the odd one out in a group can be very difficult, particularly if you’re being bullied because of it as well. Pets love their owners, and they will always be loyal to you, so even if you are struggling to fit in with your human peers, at least you have someone who wants to be around you.
Responsibility
Another way a pet can help boost your child’s self-esteem is by giving them some responsibility. If you make sure they understand that it is their job to walk the dog every day or to feed them at regular times, groom them, etc., this will give your child a sense of purpose. Not only this, but it’s a great way to prepare them for the responsibilities they will need to deal with in adult life.
Conversation Starter
Pet’s can be great conversation starters as most people love to play with cute animals, whether they’re a pet owner themselves or not. If your child is shy and struggling to make friends, giving them a pet can provide them with a way to break the ice when they’re out walking the dog, or the topic comes up in class. Finding some common ground with other kids at school who have pets or love animals can provide the opportunity for friendships to blossom.
Make Sure You Can Afford It
Pets can be wonderful at helping people with low self-esteem, but before you decided to bring one home for your kid, make sure you can afford to care for it. You can find affordable vet clinics like these vets in Madison AL, to make healthcare expenses easier to cover. But you’ll also need to think about the cost of food, toys, and other accessories that your pet might need. Do your research online to help you decide before you surprise your kid with the news.
No parent wants to see their child struggle with low self-esteem, so if you can afford it, consider getting them a pet and see how it could help them become more confident.
