It’s the age-old plea of kids everywhere: “Mooooom can we get a dog? I promise I’ll walk her and clean up after her every day!”  

Girls see pets as presents. Parents see it as one more responsibility on their list, because let’s face it—your girl isn’t always going to hold up her end of the responsibility.  

Experts suggest waiting to get a new pet until your girl can regularly complete chores of a similar nature, like watering the plants or cleaning up her toys every night. But beyond the everyday chores, it’s important that your girl understands what it means to be responsible and keep a promise! Getting a pet isn’t like receiving a gift, it’s a promise to care for a fellow living being created by God! 

Listen to the Raising Godly Girls Minute with Patti Garibay: