Fish

I agree with all the other responses about the Betta's. They aren't much work at all, and fish do have that calming effect. I just may get one for my granddaughters now. As for the topic of death coming up, when my daughter was little and when fish died, I just explained to her that like flowers, they don't "stay with us" very long, but that while we have them, we most definitely can enjoy their beauty.

K.
A fish is a great way to start as your chid shows more responsibility you can increase to a bigger tank.Try to pick out a fish with bright colors.Fish are very soothing for a child .I bought my first fish tank at pet smart very reasonable.I had little things my son would do to earn money,We would put the money in a jar .When we had enough we would go to pet smart to buy another fish.Biy the time I had my second child we had a 60 gallon hexagon. It was even great for me .After a bad day I would tuck the kids in take a warm bath grab a glass of wine and a book and enjoy the fish.It is a win win situation.Good Luck D.

Hi K.,
My parents bought my daughter (who will be 3 next month) a fish last summer. It is a fighting beta fish. We feed it 3 times a week and my daughter and husband clean the tank when needed.
It's not alot of responsibilty but she does let us know when the tank needs cleaning and she helps.
Not to mention she loves having her own pet!
good luck!

My 31/2 yr old son recently got a few fishes and it was a great learning experiance. I let him feed the fish by sprinkling it into a teespoon (held over a plate) and had him tell me how much freddy the fish was eating. He looked forward to this every day - and he was learning. Also about every afternoon or every other day he would help me clean the bowl. He helped me scoop the fish out of the bowl w/ the fish net and help them into a tupperware bowl.As they swam around I had him tell the fish how to count to 10 or recite the alaphabet - while mom scrubbed the fish bowl. Not a fun job - very stinky . It was a great learning experiance and the fish we with us for about 2 1/2 months. A little too long for me - but it was great for my son. It was especially cute when I flushed the fish down the toliet that my son thought he was going to the ocean - like in the Nemo movie. Helped aviod the scary thought of explaining too much of death. Anyway give it a try - even use some coins he can earn for feeding the fish. Good luck - M.

My son is 3 1/2. When my son turned 2 1/2 I got him a Beta fish in a Betta bowl. I bought the pellets and put three pellets in the top of the lid and let him feed Nice. Once a week I would clean out the bowl. I let my son help. I made sure that before I got the fish that I told him if he didn't help, I would take the fish back. A lot of pet stores will take your unwanted fish, but you will not get your money back. So we went to the pet store and he picked his fish out. Just recently it died. So he learned another lesson, besides how to take care of it. He did such a great job that we went and bought a new fish that he named Blue Nice. I have gone from one Betta Bowl, to haveing 4 fish tanks. I learned somthing along the way. I love the fish and now I have too tanks, my son has his Betta and my 20month daughter has her own Betta bowl. Which by the way she feeds too. I don't know if getting a fish is right for you and your child, only you would know. But I think that it is a good idea that you think about it before you get it. Good Luck on what ever you decide. And if you get a fish and have any questions you can e-mail me.
B.

Fish can be great as the other Mamas have said, but also be prepared in case your son loses interest and it will become one more thing on YOUR to-do list. Make sure to keep it simple so that cleaning the bowl/tank isn't too much of a chore as well.

We gave our son a fishtank in his room when he was somewhere between 2 and 3. Sometimes he fed it, sometimes we did. Cleaning is something only an adult can handle, although he did like "helping" with that job. It made a great nightlight though and he did enjoy watching the fish. I think they were a calming influence at night, since he often would watch them swim from his bed. I will say though, it gave us a lot of opportunities to talk about death, since fish just don't live very long. If your son is a particularly sensitive type, that might be a tough part of fish ownership. All in all, we were happy we did it though.

We gave our son a fish when he was 3. He fed it everyday and would say good morning and good night. I do think it taught him about responsibility. He took excellent care of the fish.

Both of my boys have a fish- ages 6 and 3.

At first I said NO, but now I am glad they have it. It teaches them responsibility and if they go for an extended period with the grandparents, they need to ask us to feed/clean them. Unless you go real big, fish are pretty affordable and you don't have to clean up after them every day!

C.

Hi,

A goldfish is the perfect "1st fish" for a youngter. We have a fish that my daughter won at a carnival 2 years ago this month. Larry is a gorgeous orange and white fish and is an awesome sight to see him swim all over his tank.

Children wonder what it would be like to be a fish, by your child having his own he can watch and dream of this fish. But just remember the thrill of any pet ends I have now been the pet provider to all the animals that I have at my house. Cats, Dog, Fish, lizard...

So just be aware that even though they want and promise to feed clean and love, mom will be responsible for the upkeep and cleaning.

J.

www.noahsarkworkshop.com/jodigilbert18

Hi K.,
We have two fish and it is a great way to teach responsibility. Of course, he can't clean the fish tank himself but he does help. And we all pretty much feed the fish. I'd say go for it.
Diana

I think it's a great idea and a good age. Beforehand you can talk to your son about responsibility and care of fishy. I think it's wonderful for children to have some sort of pet.

Two things to think about:

1. Eventually you will have to be the one taking care of it. The novelty will wear off for your son, so if you are ok with that...great.

2. Fish don't live very long. I've gone through 5 here in my office in 2 years. And I take good care of them, too! So the topic of death will need to be addressed at some point.

DON'T DO IT!!! Unless you really like fish and want to be responbible for cleaning and masintaining the tank. I suggest adopting a kitty from a shelter - an older one that is "mellow" - this way, if he gets bored with it- they are basically 'maintenance free', they clean themselves and changing kitty litter once a week is much less tedious than trying to clean a fish bowl! EVEN IF THEY HAVE the filtration system- it is a PAIN IN THE BUTT!! I have a 15 year old son and a 2 year old son- trust me... I KNOW!

GOOD LUCK..... and just in case - www.purebredcatrescue.org

C.

K.-

My son is 2 1/2 and he has a fish- He loves it! Every night before bedtime we feed "Him"-pretty nice name huh? and he reminds me to do it! But it has a night light on the tank which is wonderful and he stares at it every night before bedtime and askes questions about "Him" I think it is a wonderful conversation piece for my son. He askes questions about his mommy and daddy ect. Fun stuff!

Good luck-

My three year old has a Beta. You can buy a whole kit at Petsmart or petco. It comes with a tank, gravel, food, water conditioner for like $13-15 depending on if it's on sale. They have green, blue, red, etc. Oh and it comes with a little tree for the fish. then you just pick out a fish.

You clean it out once a week or so, feed him once a day and relatively maintenance free. We have had ours for about 1.5 yrs already (so he was only 2 when he got it) and it's going strong.. you won't have to worry about 'losing' a fish all the time.

K.-
We had a fish tank when our daughter was 3 and she loved watching the fish and helping feed them. She couldn't help with cleaning the tank but she truely enjoyed having fish!

Hope that helps!
K. A.