Anonymous wrote:I told mine we needed two months straight of all assigned chores being done on time without reminders, including the floors being left clean all the time (avoiding choking hazards) before we even consider a dog. Every day we reset the two month count.

Brilliant.

Also, I think no one should get a pet (especially a dog!) without realizing that they will do most of the work no matter what the kids say.

So get a dog, sure. But get it for YOU too if you want it. If you don't want it, pass.

I don't want it so we are skipping it. We do help with a few neighbor's dogs which works out well for us.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m not sure that “we will help with the puppy” qualifies as the world’s oldest lie.

Yeah, I'd go with "the baby is yours!" as the world's oldest lie.

I think the world's oldest lie is "The marriage is already over."

Anonymous wrote:I’m not sure that “we will help with the puppy” qualifies as the world’s oldest lie.

Yeah, I'd go with "the baby is yours!" as the world's oldest lie.

You’re still the parent. Make them follow through! We have 3 dogs and my kids have learned empathy and responsibility by caring for them. Turn it around now, it’s not too late

Anonymous wrote:I told mine we needed two months straight of all assigned chores being done on time without reminders, including the floors being left clean all the time (avoiding choking hazards) before we even consider a dog. Every day we reset the two month count.

I said the same to my kids when they asked. I said to them that they can't even do their chores without me reminding them 3x+. I'm not adding another thing to the list.

I told mine we needed two months straight of all assigned chores being done on time without reminders, including the floors being left clean all the time (avoiding choking hazards) before we even consider a dog. Every day we reset the two month count.

Anonymous wrote:“Mom, we will help with the puppy! We will walk him.” I thought this was the lie of younger children, not kids who are in middle school. Totally fell for it. The Covid pandemic made me lose my ability to see BS.

I mean isn’t this every family’s story? But do you regret the dog? I don’t. She’s been with us a long time - not a pandemic puppy - but has made our life immeasurably better.

They need to understand their words have meanings. Take it back. You are not helping them by allowing this

Plenty of people are still looking for dogs.. Rehome.

I think the live of dogs was greater in the 1960s. They ran free, you didn’t pick up poop, people lived farther out .... now it just seems like a lot of work ...

This is exactly why I stood firm and did not get a pet during the pandemic. My 12 and 15 yr olds said that they would take care of it. Yea.. no. Plus the 15 yr old will be leaving for college soon.

I’m not sure that “we will help with the puppy” qualifies as the world’s oldest lie.

Take privileges away.

Yep! You were naive! But you can try insisting on some of the basics.

“Mom, we will help with the puppy! We will walk him.” I thought this was the lie of younger children, not kids who are in middle school. Totally fell for it. The Covid pandemic made me lose my ability to see BS.