Raising children with farm animals
I can’t picture a more perfect childhood then one spent around farm livestock. Learning how to handle and respect an animal at such a young age is a valuable life lesson that every child should acquire. It is the main reason that I’m so interested in the farm lifestyle as an adult. I talk about my experience here.
Teaching a young toddler or child how to be mindful and respectful of animals can be daunting. It’s a perfect balance of encouragement and correction to achieve harmony among your farm pets and little farm hands.
Being a mom to a toddler, I want to share with you my top tips to establishing a safe and healthy bond between children and farm animals.
Why introducing animals to children is so important
My little guy took forever and a day to warm up to dogs. As a total dog lover myself it was kind of disappointing. It wasn’t that dogs ever did anything bad to him. It was the fact by the time he was old enough to care. He hadn’t been exposed to any.
There was this unexplored fear and hesitation when a dog of any size would approach him. However, he loves cats, whom he has been raised with his entire life.
You may be thinking…. I thought we were talking about farm animals?
We are, but it’s important to understand why it’s so important to raise children with farm animals.
If a young child doesn’t have exposure to livestock, how are they ever supposed to appreciate them?
We have moved away from a lifestyle of self sufficiency and raising animals. Nowadays, kids only see farm animals at fairs in the summer or in picture books.
Introducing kids at a young age, teaches them to respect their food, learn how to care for something, and learn how to be sweet and gentle.
How to encourage a relationship between your children and animals
My biggest tip is let them participate and get involved with the farm chores.
As an older baby my son loved pulling the eggs out of the nest boxes.
He wasn’t frightened by the hens in the slightest and they weren’t afraid of him.
We are in the habit of thanking the birds every morning for laying us beautiful eggs. I like to think it’s helping my son show gratitude towards the ones who make his breakfast.
Find little ways to include your kids. Children thrive on having a job and helping mommy or daddy do anything.
Trust me it may take five extra minutes to feed the rabbits or fill up water bottle. However, it makes my kid excited to go down to the animal pens snd care for them.
I like to think that by facilitating a space to create good habits also establishes a sense of ownership.
How to safely introduce children to livestock
Safety is the top priority always and is equally important from all angles. Your main job as the supervisor is to stay in control during the early introductions. By maintaining a good control, you’re facilitating a safe space for the animal to remain calm. Secondly helping the child to feel unafraid and ensuring little chance for either party to get hurt.
Explain to the child your expectations for how they will interact with the animal and reiterate the importance that they remain calm and use soft voices.
If the animal is small, demonstrate to the child how to properly hold and support it. For larger animals, demonstrate how to safely hold their hand out with palms open. This allows the animal to eat or sniff and allow the kid to pet it.
Set boundaries
Like I said earlier…. give clear expectations and just as importantly consequences.
It’s your job as the grown up to protect your child and protect your animals that don’t have a voice.
My son loves to push boundaries. When he is outside he is out throwing sticks and running around and having a good time. I have to be very on top of making sure those sticks don’t end up flying towards my birds. Also that he’s being mindful where the rabbits are by his feet.
Just be very clear that the animals are fragile. Explain it’s their job to protect them. Focus on building a trust with your child to freely develop a relationship towards your farm animals.
Creating that special bond
At the end of the day, the most important piece is establishing a love for animals in your child. Every kid is different and some never attach. I believe raising a child to love and respect animals is so good for their character.
To love an animal displays kindness, empathy, gentleness, and responsibility. Having a pet to rely on aids in mental health and in my opinion helps in relationship skills.
Allowing a child to bond with an animal is easier than it seems. Giving your kid the chance to name it helps in taking ownership. Holding and petting it shows kindness. Lastly, having your kid help with supplying the animals with its basic needs teaches empathy.
Wrapping up
Spend time with your little ones when you’re not rushed. Take the time to consider the advice I’ve listed above. Setting yourself up for success will make bonding with farm animals so much easier. I hope all the success and baby animal cuddles for you!
