I have tried to keep an open mind. We have two cats that she and her sister promised to help take care of... but guess who does all the feeding, water and litter box clean up? Plus I worry that the two cats might do the gerbil in if he gets loose in the house.
difficult child is saying she will pay for the expenses of buying, housing and maintaining the gerbil. My problem is, she is behind is a couple of classes with missing homework. I have tried to tie in the "being responsible" first for school before getting a gerbil. We had a four day weekend, and of course, "she forgot" to bring the homework home. She has also been very difficult to get a long with. She is SO bossy to her younger sis, that sometimes she is in tears. She doesn't actually hit her sister, but the tone and words are very hurtful.
Does having a pet ever makes things better? The therapist that I see said I needed to try and say "yes" to as many things as possible... as long as it is not illegal, immoral, expensive, unsafe, etc. I am just afraid her free time will be spent with the gerbil and even less homework would get done.
I went to teacher's conferences last week, and she has about 6 A's and B's and 1 C and 1 D. But a few days earlier it was 2 D's. The work she hands in is A and B grades... but the zeros and late papers drags her grades down. I guess I want her to work harder at school and also show some responsibility at home before getting a gerbil. Any ideas? KSM
difficult child is saying she will pay for the expenses of buying, housing and maintaining the gerbil. My problem is, she is behind is a couple of classes with missing homework. I have tried to tie in the "being responsible" first for school before getting a gerbil. We had a four day weekend, and of course, "she forgot" to bring the homework home. She has also been very difficult to get a long with. She is SO bossy to her younger sis, that sometimes she is in tears. She doesn't actually hit her sister, but the tone and words are very hurtful.
Does having a pet ever makes things better? The therapist that I see said I needed to try and say "yes" to as many things as possible... as long as it is not illegal, immoral, expensive, unsafe, etc. I am just afraid her free time will be spent with the gerbil and even less homework would get done.
I went to teacher's conferences last week, and she has about 6 A's and B's and 1 C and 1 D. But a few days earlier it was 2 D's. The work she hands in is A and B grades... but the zeros and late papers drags her grades down. I guess I want her to work harder at school and also show some responsibility at home before getting a gerbil. Any ideas? KSM