It has become common for people who have pets to refer to themselves as “pet parents,” I'm one. #DogMom. I heard it said all the time how 'a dog prepares you for parenthood', but how closely does the relationship between people and their non-human companions mirror the parent-child relationship? Now I'm well aware that dogs and children are wildly different. On so many levels. I wouldn't leave Jae home alone for starters, you can't crate an infant, and a beggin' strip does absolutely nothing for a colicky baby. However, now after having a human child, I can say with certainty there are a lot of differences, but it is surprising which ways my dog did prepare me for being a mom. Here are a few reasons why having a dog really does prepare you for having a child. THEY DEPEND ON YOU FOR EVERYTHING.
Like, everything. Especially keeping them alive. Unless you're fancy and have a fenced backyard with doggy doors, they can't go outside by themselves. They depend on you for walks, food, water, medicine, comfort, and entertainment. Penny was still on formula and couldn't walk yet when we first brought her home. They are dependent on you to protect them from the opossums and cars they want to chase, the unidentified objects they would prefer to ingest, and save them from the peanut butter jars they get their heads stuck in. A child is no different. They need you to do everything for them. They are incapable of accomplishing basic tasks to stay alive or protect themselves. A baby is 100% dependent upon its caretakers for survival. Perhaps this puppy we got at 3 weeks old helped to mentally prepare me for this tiny human I was handed at 30 seconds old. THEY HELP YOU FIND A CALM IN THE CHAOS. If there is a moment when you need your dog to be quiet and "good", it will most definitely not be "good". Your house will never be as clean as the day before you got a dog. There will be fur floating in the air and covering everything you own from now on. There will be toys, and toy guts covering the floor. No matter how often you pick them up or vacuum. But those innocent babies, yeah, they have a knack for chaos. If there is a way to disrupt a peaceful moment or complicate a simple plan, they will find it. Wearing white... or black... or any color...? That kid will spit up on you, or have a blowout, it's guaranteed. Really need a nap? They will fuss the exact moment you sink into your pillow. Every time. Your house will never again be as clean as the day before your baby was born. No matter how many times you organize that kitchen set or fold those onesies, they will forever be flung onto the floor in disarray. Perhaps you can learn to accept things you cannot change, and adjust your habits to change what you can control. THEY WILL TEACH YOU PATIENCE. They say marriage reveals your true self. Owning a dog or raising a child has a similar effect. The experiences you will go through will reveal your negative character traits. The fluffballs will chew. Everything. Important, irreparable things. They will shred your clothes, your blankets, pillows, rugs, couch, walls, shoes and socks. Their teeth marks will be in the baseboards or your arm. They will relieve themselves on. top. of. your. controllers. They will ruin everything you own. There will be moments you want to smack them across the room. There will be moments you want to yell those perky little ears off their face. Then you will realize how much you still need to work on. They will teach you patience. And by God's grace, it will carry over. Because babies are even worse. They can reach more things than dogs can. And someday, they'll have the ability to break more than physical items. Their body fluids will get on everything you own. Spit up will become your new fashion accessory. Exactly what you tell them not to do is what they will do. When you need some peace and quiet, they're going to scream and cry. But, the moments you had when you 'lost it' with your dog, hopefully prepared you for this moment with your child. THEY TEACH YOU TO PUT SOMEONE ELSE FIRST. I remember the first few exhausting weeks, and even months, with Penny. So many sleepless nights left us drained having exhausted all ideas to sleep. Crate training a puppy on top of working through black friday/holiday season, we felt like we were in survival mode. Little did we know how much more a baby would disrupt our sleep. I remember a few days after picking her up, so tiny, then realizing that we could no longer be gone from our house for an extended period of time ever again. We could never just do something on a whim without considering and preparing for someone to care for the puppy. Then she would have a severe reaction to her first set of shots, complete with convulsions/ seizers. The expense, voluntary sacrifice of sleep, or concern came without second thought. With Jae, it's that sentiment a million times over. This kid was colicky for the first three months, then has seemed to forget how to sleep for the last month. I often look at her face and tell her, "It's a good thing you're cute!", yet I would do it over again and again without question, and I know I will miss these days soon. Lexi Marietti wrote an article and stated this and I can only echo its truth. "Would I still rock my baby to sleep until my arms went numb had I not raised a dog? Of course. Would I still scoop vomit out of his car seat with my bare hands like it was some kind of delectable porridge? Yes. But before all this, there was a dog who showed me how beautiful and crazy and transformative motherhood could be, and for that heads-up, I’m forever grateful."
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Lizzy parkerMarriage.
Motherhood. Ministry. Missions. Archives
January 2023
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