Monday, January 30, 2012

Virtual Pet Adoption – Teaching Kids about Responsibility


Having a loving pet in the family can be a real joy. Pets make good companions and they can become real members of the family. If your kids have never experienced having a pet before, but would like to have one, you may find that virtual pet adoption can give them that know-how. It can help let your little ones experience what it is like to have a real pet of their own.

Unfortunately, kids often yearn for having a pet with little or no idea of what it really takes to take care of one. The responsibility of having an animal in the house is not as easy as it may sound like. Often the attention it demands can interfere with day to day living and can be too demanding. But once a bond has been formed with a pet, it becomes awfully difficult not to take care of it properly; you have no choice but to get on with the responsibilities of owning one as best as you can.

A whole lot like real pets

What makes owning a computer generated pet such a good idea for your kids? Well, as your little ones are taking care of their adopted virtual pet, they learn about what it would be like to take care of a real animal. Just like a real pet, your children will also have to perform a few things to their virtual ones as they take care of them. These artificial companions are replicas of real animals, so they basically seek the same kind of interaction from their owners as real pets.

Getting your kids to pick and look after their virtual furry companion will give them the same satisfaction they get from owning a real pet. They will get to name their chosen pets, feed them when they become hungry, ensure that they have enough water to drink, buy them stuff, play with them, and even take them out. Plus your little ones will also get the positive feedback from their simulated pets if they’re satisfied with how they’re taken care of – just like a real pet.

Picking the best one for the family

Does your child want a golden retriever, a Persian cat, a cockatoo or a python perhaps? There are a great variety of virtual pets your kids may adopt. Some of the available animals children can pet on their computer include cats, dogs, birds, mice, turtles, snakes, monkeys, fishes and many more. But they can also opt for a few unconventional creatures to take care of, like monsters or aliens.

The good thing about getting your kids to adopt a virtual pet before buying an actual one for the family is to test if it’s the animal suited for your household. For instance, if you think that a cat is the perfect companion around the house, you can try looking after one in a simulated manner first.

Taking care of a pet is like taking care of a true member of the family. It requires time, love and devotion; and a lot of patience and practice to. The best way to instill and develop a sense of responsibility in your little ones in taking care of pets is to trough virtual pet adoption. Your kids will have a great time looking after them as they get ready to get a real pet of their own.