katalaska Posted August 25, 2008 Share Posted August 25, 2008 We have four pet rats. The kids sometimes like to have the rats in their laps, on their shoulders, etc. while doing school. Sometimes this works better than other times. How do you handle school and small pets? Do the animals hang out with the kids during school or must the kids finish their schoolwork before playing with the pets? Are the animals a distraction, a motivator, a reward, a simple companion, or a non-issue in your house? I'm looking for some new ideas regarding the rats and our homeschool this year, so TIA for your responses! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kimberleigh Posted August 25, 2008 Share Posted August 25, 2008 We don't have pocket pets, but we do have two dogs and three cats (including a 12-week old kitten, who currently qualifies as a pocket pet but won't for long). They're definitely a distraction at times -- the dogs ask to go out regularly, the cats like to drape themselves over books, and the kitten wants to be held 24/7 and nibble on fingers while doing so. But that's not necessarily a bad thing. The real world is full of distractions, and I think our kids might not get as much of a sense of that because we have so much control over their learning environment. In a classroom, they'd have to deal with misbehaving classmates, teacher interruptions, bells ringing, papers shuffling, and so on. Having a dog put her head on your lap for a snuggle while doing algebra is minor by comparison, and learning how to divide your attention a bit and when/how to prioritize are good lessons. And if the pets get really annoying, we let the dogs out back and shoo the cats off the desks. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer3141 Posted August 25, 2008 Share Posted August 25, 2008 We usually have the hermit crabs running around the living room and cats on laps for school. It seems to attract animals. I do put the parrot down for a nap though. Her flights through the room distract everyone. lol Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ncmomo3 Posted August 25, 2008 Share Posted August 25, 2008 We do have a hamster in the hs room and he is quiet as a...mouse. He is not a distraction at all as he is generally asleep. Our dog is definitely a huge --HUGE --distraction. . --did I mention the dog was a distraction?:glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen500 Posted August 25, 2008 Share Posted August 25, 2008 We sometimes have the hamsters out during evening reading time. They are too distracting to have out during subjects like math. And the dog is always eyeing those hammies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ailaena Posted August 25, 2008 Share Posted August 25, 2008 . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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