please tell me im not an ogre?

Question

I have warned and warned my boys time again to take care of the dog, this morning I heard him wining and asked where the dog was, I was told he was in the crate in the bedroom, the they fought for the next ten min about who was going to let him out, then ignored it for a few min after that, went on playing the game. then ryan got up let him out but didnt take him outside, the when the dog messed on the floor he went to punish the dog, I said, no its not hid fault, you didnt take him out, this is not the first time we have went through this, but the last, I have found the dog a new home, with a grown man who just lost his dog. my ten year old is sitting on the couch in tears, and im trying hard to be strong, please tell me im not being an ogre. I know this doesnt belong here but you people are the only onces who answer

Answer 1

Cindy

you are not an ogre.

Love and blessings Don

Answer 2

You aren't an ogre, and you shouldn't feel bad at all. In my opinion, and I don't care whether people agree with me or not, little children should not have pets. Owning a dog is a huge responsibility. I have had one since I was around 10 years old. I remember being at that age and actually resenting it for having to walk it at times. Now that I am twenty years old, I feel really bad about thinking that at all. He's apart of the family, he's my little baby, basically. Dogs have to be walked and fed on a daily basis, numerous times, their water has to be changed numerous times (especially puppies). You did a good thing.

Just sit your son down and tell him that maybe when he matures a bit more, and shows you that he can be responsible to take care of another living being, you'll consider getting another dog.

Answer 3

An Ogre? It is your sons responsibility to take care of the dog. But the parents have a responsibility to discipline their children. Why was the boys allowed to fight for ten minutes and play after being told to take the dog outside. Boys are only children who need discipline. That's what raising kids are all about. Depriving them of the dog was the right thing to do if you are not going to discipline your kids. It didn't teach them a lesson but it gave the poor dog a better home. It only taught them to despise you for taking their dog. I'm not saying, spare the rod and spoil the child. that is a barbaric religious concept. But there are many humane ways to discipline a child.

Answer 4

No, you're not an ogre. If the boys pestered you to have a dog, and you told them that they have to take care of it, and you taught them how to take care of it, it's not a toy, and it's their responsibility to take care of it, and not yours, then you were right to give the dog away, it sounds like they aren't mature enough to take care of it yet. Maybe they will learn from this, and deserve another chance when they are older. When children are too young, they tend to view a pet as a toy, not as a living being, and tend to want to be there just for the play time. It's a hard lesson for them, but you have to teach them about taking care of your responsibilities, after all, where would they be if you took care of them that way? When they're older, and deserve another chance, it will provide valuable lessons for taking care of their families in adulthood.... I personally feel that a pet should be adopted by an entire family, but it's not uncommon for people who wouldn't ordinarily want a pet to allow the children to do so if they will take care of it, in order to teach them responsibility. If you don't have the time or inclination to make a commitment to a dog yourself, then that's part of the deal when you allow the kids to have one, that it's their project, not yours... Maybe you could give them each a plant to take care of, and if both of their plants are doing well without your intervention after a year, then you can try again.... I discovered for myself that I am not up to the time and commitment a dog requires, and had to give up my puppy to a family that had the time...later on I had a cat instead, I find them easier to take care of, and just as affectionate, I don't need to supervise them so much, and I don't come home to find all my shoes torn to shreds....

Answer 5

You are not an ogre.

Feel better?


Now, how old are your boys? Are they old enough to be expected to take care of the dog? Do they need stronger directions?

This Christmas my son got a parakeet. However, he is 7, so I do not expect him to take sole responsibility for it. It would be wrong of me to expect him to do this, or be able to do this. It would be unfair on him and on the bird. So for the next few years I expect to be taking a part in the care of the parakeet.

When you got your children a dog what did you expect?


Either way you are not an ogre. (Unless you are large and green.)

Answer 6

While I don't think you're an ogre, I believe that a pet should belong to the family and not given to a child. Children should have responsibilities, but taking care of animals is not one of them. The adults in the family should do that.

Answer 7

First off are your children old enough to have the responsibility to be taking care of a dog? If they are then in a way I agree with you about giving the dog away, but then I dont either. Why? Because in my home our dogs are part of the family and it is everyone's responsibility to take care of each other and that includes the dogs. It isnt just one persons responsibility to walk the dogs or to clean up after them or to bathe them and what have you. Everyone takes a part of caring for our beloved family members

Answer 8

YOU ARE NOT BEING AN OGRE!

The kids need to learn that they have to take care of their pets. If they don't, it is the pet that suffers, so the pet should go to a loving home.

Let them try their hand at a goldfish for a while.

Answer 9

Exactly what is best for the dog......you done right. And will also help the man who just lost his dog as well as hopefully teach a lesson to your children about tending to animals and responsibility.

Answer 10

You are not an ogre. You are a good mom who's teaching your children how to be responsible. It may hurt them now, but they will learn their lesson and build character from it.

Answer 11

No, your not an ogre. They have to learn responsiblity if they are going to grow up right. Some lessons they are just going to have to learn the hard way. It's not mean, it's just what life is all about.