Did getting a dog help?

[Birdie379]

DS is 10. We’ve had a lovely summer. I’m very lucky to have a decent sized pool of friends who’s kids DS plays with. DS also has a small handful of friends that I can call on for company. However, I do all the organisation. I plan something with someone every day and for the days it’s just the 2 of us we do something like cinema or baking/film at home/gaming etc.

I think I’ve got 1 summer like this left and then once they hit secondary school you have to take a back seat and let them plan their own social life.

I’m wondering if getting a dog would help during the teen years. Would it encourage DS to get out and about (with or without me).

Any experience?

Don't know if it helps during teenage years but we have dc7 and got a dog 2 years ago. One if best decisions we've made. My dc loves the dog, calls him her furry brother.

If you’re getting a dog, make sure you’re getting it because you want it. There was a post on here yesterday by some twat getting rid of a dog she’d bought her daughter because her daughter didn’t bother with it. As long as you’re willing to take responsibility for it, I think it’s a great idea. We’ve always had a family dog and my kids adore them. We could never be without a dog

I'd say it helps a bit yeah..my dd12 (not exactly an only but might as well be as 9 year gap between my kids!) She takes the dog out with her friends to coffee shops/parks etc, and likes to cuddle him in bed too. She loves him to bits.

In saying that it's me that does the day to day walks and feeding etc she is very lazy since hitting puberty!