My daughter wants a guinea pig and I'm evil

[castleview]

So DD8 has been asking for a guinea pig because she wants her "own" pet (not just the house dog), "all" her friends have one, and they're so cute. I don't want one in the house because we babysat a guinea pig for an entire summer when I was a kid and I remember how much work it was. Today I got the crying, "you hurt my feelings" stuff when I lost after being asked for the 200th time. How does one get over their kids constant asking for an animal?

 

[floridaminnie]

Can she babysit one of her friends for a week to see how much work it is...ummm...I mean to have a trial run?

 

[TDC Nala]

My niece got one for Christmas and it died within a month. She hasn't gotten another one. Not sure what the problem with the critter was.

 

[Jennasis]

You don't...and the kid probably won't stop asking for one! I begged forever for a horse. PArents said no a billion times. Now I own a horse farm. Phooey on them and their "NO's" hahaha!!

 

[castleview]

You don't...and the kid probably won't stop asking for one! I begged forever for a horse. PArents said no a billion times. Now I own a horse farm. Phooey on them and their "NO's" hahaha!!

Hahaha! Do you own this farm because you love horses still or did you just want to stick it to mom and dad?

 

[STLDisney_Freak]

You don't...and the kid probably won't stop asking for one! I begged forever for a horse. PArents said no a billion times. Now I own a horse farm. Phooey on them and their "NO's" hahaha!!

Same with me...I had 1 cat when I was younger. I was never allowed to have a dog. Now I have 4 dogs, 3 cats, 3 guinea pigs. lol What was the first thing I got when I moved out out? a dog.

 

[Jennasis]

hahaha! Do you own this farm because you love horses still or did you just want to stick it to mom and dad?

yes.

 

[minkydog]

So DD8 has been asking for a guinea pig because she wants her "own" pet (not just the house dog), "all" her friends have one, and they're so cute. I don't want one in the house because we babysat a guinea pig for an entire summer when I was a kid and I remember how much work it was. Today I got the crying, "you hurt my feelings" stuff when I lost after being asked for the 200th time. How does one get over their kids constant asking for an animal?

I don't know. I had this very conversation with DD17 last week. She wants a cat, a bunny, some gerbils, a coupla birds...She's a senior in HS, going to be leaving home in a year! DH & I have to really hold the line on this because we do NOT want to inherit a pet when she goes off to college!

 

[Chelley00]

I will be most happy to loan out DD's "very nocturnal, keep you up all night gnawing on the cage and can open the cage door" hamster to anyone. Trust me. After a night with Houdini, your kids will never again ask for a hamste/gerbil etc.

 

[bumbershoot]

she wants her "own" pet (not just the house dog),

Bwa ha ha....we got hamsters. I was probably 9 and my brother was younger. Guess who got to clean the cages most of the time??? It was NOT the kids in the house. Mom bought the food, cleaned the cages, etc etc etc etc....

My hamster died just before my 11th birthday, my friends bought me another (I'm sure my mom was SO pleased), and still my mom was the one that mainly took care of her.

Not really "my" pet at all!

 

[KiminChicago]

Both of my kids wanted hamsters because their friends had them. So DH and I told the kids that if they wanted hamsters, they had to figure out how to pay for all the expenses involved (cages, bedding, food, treats, etc.). They had to do the research to figure out what the hamsters would need and how much it would all cost (broken down to a per week dollar amount that we would deduct from their allowance). They also were responsible for finding someone who would take care of the hamsters when we went on vacation.

Only after they did all of that did we agree to get the hamsters. They each got a cage and one dwarf hamster and the hamster cages had to stay in their rooms. One hamster lived 4 months, the other lived two years. After the first one died, both kids were fighting over whose room the remaining hamster would stay in (neither one wanted him!). When the second one died, they were so glad that they didn't have to listen to me reminding them every day to feed the hamsters and once a week to clean the cages. They both agreed that they would never again ask for another small pet. Our two cats and one dog are more affectionate and more fun to play with.

 

[WDWorBUST]

I know the feeling....DD is asking for a kitten. We already have 2 - 15 year old cats and a 6 month old puppy. She used the "Ringo and Prissy are yours not mine" until we got her a puppy. Unfortunately her puppy died at only 18 months old. Then we waited until summer to consider a new one. In all fairness me and DH probably missed the dog more and are the reasons we got another puppy (although DD is really close to the dog). So now she's wanting a kitten and I keep telling her no. I'm afraid she has it in her head that she will get one for her birthday and it's not likely to happen. The last thing we need is another pet when she'll be getting a baby sister within weeks of her birthday. So yeah....I'm evil too

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

My dd has begged and begged for a dog...specifically a chihuahua. So
far the answer is still no. She is free to research dog care and breeds to her hearts content. She has been doing that for 2-3 years now. She is loaded with knowledge and might one day be able to get one.

So my first suggestion...let your dd know that you won't even consider it yet allow it until she knows all about the animal from memory. I mean every detail. If she sincerely wants one...not only will he knowledge be beneficial, you will trust that it is something she really wants versus just a passing fancy.

All this time later, my daughter is still actively pursuing knowledge. She is now 10. I have a dog allergy, so she has even researched better br

 

[luvmy3]

So DD8 has been asking for a guinea pig because she wants her "own" pet (not just the house dog), "all" her friends have one, and they're so cute. I don't want one in the house because we babysat a guinea pig for an entire summer when I was a kid and I remember how much work it was. Today I got the crying, "you hurt my feelings" stuff when I lost after being asked for the 200th time. How does one get over their kids constant asking for an animal?

You give in and get a puppy that you are totally unprepared for. not that I know anything about that

 

[mtemm]

we have a guinea pig, we got him in feb, and honestly he isn't all that much work. he's been a great pet for the kids (8, 6, 6).

I think maybe borrowing a friend's for the weekend might be a great experience for both of you. her to see if she really wants one, you to see if it really is the amount of work you remember it being.

that said, if you are opposed in general to her getting one, that is a different story, of course!

 

[jsmith]

My niece got one for Christmas and it died within a month. She hasn't gotten another one. Not sure what the problem with the critter was.
__________________

most likely-absence of Vitamin C in its diet-guinea pigs require supplemental vitamin C since they dont get enough from commercial food. My son got one when he was 7-he was incredibly responsible-and teh thing live litteraly forever as guinea pigs go-he was in high scholl when it died. I never clean the cage or took care of it-it was wonderfully entertaining-friend and talkitive-and it loved my son-would whistle at him when it heard his voice and stuff.

 

[hiwaygal]

"Piggy"-sitting is an option, and another one would be to contact some rescue groups to see if there is an opportunity to foster a guinea pig for a short time.

 

[castleview]

You give in and get a puppy that you are totally unprepared for. not that I know anything about that

Got a puppy four months ago. What a ingrate DD is being!

 

[ZephyrHawk]

"Sweetie, I understand you want a Guinea pig, but we do not. Because of this we will not pay fot it, the cage, it's food, it's vet bills and any other accoutrements. If you are that serious about it you should save up your money and pay for these costs yourself. Also, I know you say you will take care of it and I believe you. But understand that absent prior agreement (such as you asking us to watch it for you while you're at camp or grandma's...for which we will demand a nominal fee for our services) we will not care for your Guinea pig. If you do not feed or water it, it does not get fed or watered. Are you sure you will not forget these things and accidentallu kill your pet? Are you willing to deal with that issue if it comes up?"

If she still wants to do it after these plain, real world explanations, then I say let her. Personally, I love Guinea pigs and think they make great starter pets.

 

[Sarah_Rose]

I have an evil dwarf hamster up for offer! We worked hard to socialize her when she was young... and she still ended up being an angry creature that bites at the bars when anyone comes near the cage. I ended up buying two cages that connect together so that I can herd her to the other cage with a chopstick when I need to put food in or clean one of the cages. You are welcome to all this - I'll even drive within reasonable distance! She answers to the name, "Least Favorite Pet" and appears to be immortal.

This, of course, is the result of having parents who wouldn't let me get a hamster when I was younger. I showed them! But I totally understand my parents' POV now.... don't buy a pet that you don't want to take care of... because you will end up taking care of it and it just may want to kill you.