Martinismommy

As some of you know I am raising my 3 year old Granddaughter Anberlin...She just had her 3rd birthday and is now learning how to care for the fish.....She has been feeding the Chihuahuas for a year and has shown excellent responsibility for measuring the food and monitoring their eating...

Last week I decided to let her start helping with the fish....She has followed me from tank to tank watching me for months and I felt she was finally ready to drop the food in...She carefully drops 1 pellet at a time and then waits until it is gone before she adds the next one......

I feel this is very good for her development and is teaching her to be a loving caring person towards animals.....I'm proud of my little girl! I wish more people would teach their children how to be kind and loving to our precious animals......

Here she is during her routine....This is Lenox she is feeding....She drops it in....


Then bends down to make sure he ate it...

Shawnie

omg karen those pics are priceless....such a great grammy ....lil ones at that age love to count..and they for some reason have patience that ive never seen..my payton is the same way at 2...I think they love this learning part of animal keeping and I feel as you do, its very very important to teach kindness at a young age...thanks for sharing her!

Martinismommy

Thank you Shawnie....

I'm proud of this little lady.....It's been a completely different experience than raising my own 5 kids....I really take time to enjoy the simple things in life with her....She is like a 3 year old going on 20...Smart as a whip and has such great love for the furries and finnies.....I have been blessed for sure!

Shawnie

I hear you darlin...I dont raise mine, but have them alot...and I wish I coulda became a grammy first LOL

its precious time that ill never change...

Lucy

She's a beautiful little lady and you're teaching her so well.
I love both pics, but that second one is so precious, just look at the concentration and wonder in her eyes.

Thank you for sharing them.

Devon

It's great that you're teaching her to value and respect her fellow creatures. Bravo!

Such cute photos, too! I bet her experiences with your fish will really stick with her through her life. Maybe she'll catch the MTS and have to join FishLore someday, haha.

Martinismommy

Thank you Lucy...I love the 2nd pic as well...The cute thing about the 1st pic is she is holding the pellets in her hand trying not to drop them lol She is just like her Granny lol...It's so fun to do this with her..The innocence of a young child...

Butterfly

If only more people would take the time to teach children the wonders of life. Those pictures are precious.
Carol

Chief_waterchanger

Oh dear, those pictures are so cute and make me envy the bond you share with that child.

At that age for her to be so enthralled with helping do something responsible... it is beyond excellent. I commend you greatly for teaching her to enjoy and cherish life, and for her to get the lessons from someone so experienced with child-raising.. that is amazing. (Not to mention, you can enjoy it a bit better and are probably a lot less nervous raising this one than your first. )

I hope Anberlin enjoys what you teach her in life, and maybe she won't go through the terrible teen years.

Shawnie

after raising 5 girls, I dont think theres a way around those "terrible teen" years..and if there is a way, someone needs to bottle it up and sell it LOL!!!

such a nice response to this thread btw CWC ..especially coming from a man sometimes we think its only women who have thoughts like this ...<--that wasnt intended to say men or women are better by any means..

MissMTS

Hi Karen,
Your grandaughter is darling! You two must have so much fun together. I am so glad that you are teaching her the responsibilities of having pets at such a young age. My parents did that with me and my sister, and we have both grown up to be compassionate animal lovers I really feel like your teaching will have a positive effect on her and teach her how to be a loving person

MinxMermaid

AWE, VERY CUTE

even tho we're not big on kids, its nice to see a good one!!!
raising an animal lover, makes her a better person all around!

congratulations on a job well done!!!

Tavel

I like that you're teaching her diligence and attention detail on top of responsibility. What's the point of doing something if you do it incorrectly?

Darlene

Thats great that she is learning to care for animals at such a young age...she is adorable!

I have had pets since I was a baby and they are the some of the best parts of my life. My kids all love our dogs and fish and want every animal under the sun...we just can't have them all.