A couple here with 2 children, 5 yo and 10 yo. No family around to help, so feeling the pressure, mainly because of luck of time.
We leave in an apartment and 10yo wants to have a pet. My oh likes the idea. I am not so keen since we struggle already with the amount of time we have to do things that needs doing. I feel my 10yo will likely loose interest after a month or two. I did have a few pets when I was younger and that was my experience. I was hoping, if we go ahead, to get a small animal that doesn't live more than a couple of years, my oh and 10yo are keen in a more exotic pet, a reptile that leaves around 9 years, likes interaction with humans and apparently is easy to care for. To reduce the life spam my other half suggested going for a "senior" animal. My kid isn't too impressed with the idea though I guess this wouldn't be a problem. While this would be helpful I am just concerned about the care this animal might need when approaching old age, vets costs, investment on where to keep it, electricity, diet etc.
I feel it would be beneficial for them to have a pet but I am positive, though I might be wrong, the enthusiasm will fade and I will end up caring for an animal I don't have time for. Big animals such us dogs and cats are out of question due to space/time. What is your take on this? I would love to see the great stuff such making the child responsible, develop the sense of caring etc, but at the moment I see more the side of me and my oh cleaning, caring etc for an animal we don't have time for. How do we navigate this? I wouldn't mind playing/enjoying the animal every now and then but certainly not on a weekly basis. It would be unfair for the animal not to have any interactions if the interest fade but then again my oh and my dc are adamant they will take care of it and it seems unreasonable not to give them the chance. Not sure how the holidays will work, a hamster is easy to transport if we go away for a week, a few friends would be able to take care of it for a fortnight in their own properties but a bigger/more exotic pet.
Suggestions or ideas about what to get if anything?