Moms and Dads, if your 14 year old boy asked you for pet rats, what would be the first thing you would think of/say to him?
thank you!
2007-03-07 10:36:24 · 24 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
i am the son who will be asking for the rats, i've done a ton of research, made a powerpoint presentation, and am financially able to purchase and maintain the rats.
2007-03-07 10:40:12 · update #1
Rats are clean, affectionate, and intelligent, and they are not dirty, smelly, stupid or vicious, unlike most humans.
2007-03-07 12:20:54 · update #2
Personally I'd say yes in a heartbeat if you went to that much trouble for it. Obviously you're serious about keeping up with them and they are the best rodents to have as pets. They're friendlier and against what most believe they're also healthier and take less care. It's probably an ingrained fear thing though that you would have to overcome. Personally if my child did the exact same thing only it was snakes...I'd say heck no immediately. I'm not a snake person though. I think you've maximized your chance of getting a "yes" with all the research and the proof of responsibility you seem to have demonstrated. Good luck and have fun with your new furry friends!
2007-03-07 11:22:07 · answer #1 · answered by evilangelfaery919 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you are able to buy and take care of the rats (and guarantee that there will be no breeding) I would let you have one or two (of the same sex). Then again I like animals and while I am not fond of rats, domesticated rats are really very different than wild. You sould as though you have put a lot of time, effort, and thought into this. If you have reasonable parents I think you should be able to walk out of the situation with permission to get the rat. Good luck!
2007-03-07 14:06:29 · answer #2 · answered by autumnofserenity@sbcglobal.net 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If my 14 year old said it, and was honestly willing to work to take care of them, the first thing I'd say honestly, would be 'can we talk about this?' and then I'd try to listen to what he had to say. I'd probably say okay. I mean, it's not my choice, but I've heard that domestic rats are VERY intelligent, friendly and clean. Just be sure to buy from a reputable dealer...okay?
My five year old just asked for Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches. I'm not totally excited, but at least it's not a dog that's going to leave piles all over the backyard and shed everywhere, and it's not a cat that'll leave hairballs and have a stinky litter box. He has a friend whose Roaches just had babies, and we'll get them in three weeks. !
2007-03-07 17:16:48 · answer #3 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My questions would be:
What are all of the responsibilities involved with owning a rat? How do I know that you will take care of them? Who will be paying the vet bills?
Personally, my mom let my brother have rats, so I know they can be great pets. As a parent, I would want you to prove that you can be responsible BEFORE I let you get them, because if you mess up, you are injuring a living being. Also, as a mom, I don't want to be stuck looking after YOUR pets.
2007-03-07 12:30:44 · answer #4 · answered by baby_savvy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One thing you can do to further convince your parents is suggestively bring up that you may want to get something worse than a rat (say a snake?), let them toy around with the *omg i don't want a (insert unmentionable animal here) in my home* then a week or so later say that you understand their disagreement to the (unmentionable animal) but feel that a pet rat would be reasonable and then give them your informative presentation, you should be good.
2007-03-07 14:05:28 · answer #5 · answered by babydoll32 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would say no because of the smell. But u know your mum and dad best and maybe u mite have luck if u show them by writting a story story as a class assigmet really its about how much u want the rat and what u have learnt.
2007-03-07 11:47:22 · answer #6 · answered by linda78 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well im not a mum or a dad but i am only a teen ... as long as u can provide care and look after the rats i dont see why your parents wouldnt allow you ... when you ask show them the presentation u made and explain to the that you will take ful responsibilty for them ... i think its great that u have gone to so much effort for this .. but i have to as why rats eww lol well keep up the good work kid :)
2007-03-07 10:43:16 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have a friend who's 14yr old son has Rats and though I don't personally like them I do know they are one of the cleanest pets to have as long as you keep their cage/housing clean.
If I wasn't so against mice and Rats then I would let my kids have them especially if they went to as much trouble as what you have.
GREAT JOB!!!! gOOD LUCK!
2007-03-07 11:51:16 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If my 14 yr old son explained to me, in a respectful tone, everything he knew about rats, and how he planned to take care of a rat, then I would give him a chance.
2007-03-08 07:45:59 · answer #9 · answered by Alley C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I"m impressed as a parent to 3 that you've done the research and can take care of them. That being said, my answer to you would be the same as it was to my son when he was 14...NO WAY ON GOD"S GREEN EARTH!!! I'm terrified of rodents of any kind. Sorry, but you did ask what I'd say. Good luck with mom and dad, maybe they will be a bit more accepting of the idea.
2007-03-07 13:52:08 · answer #10 · answered by Melanie A 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋