Single moms with college scholarships and pets
November 27, 2012
Going through a separation and divorce can leave a rift in families that can be hard to fill, and being a single mom with college scholarships will mean more time and attention needs to be diverted away from the family mending process and help kids adjust. To assist with that progress, many may consider getting a pet, but that too could present a slew of additional problems for single moms to deal with. Ongoing maintenance and continual extra expenses could result in more hardship than healing, meaning families will have to decide what kind of animal, if any, would be a good fit.
•Cats and kittens may be a good choice if there are no allergies in the house and families won't have a lot of time at home to divert to a new pet. These additions are easier to train and require less supervision than a dog, yet they can provide the same level of contact and affection as a dog if handled properly.
•Dogs and puppies need more attention and obedience training. They can't travel as easily as a cat or be left alone as easily for extended periods of time. However, these animals are far more affectionate and are usually bigger companions.
•Birds require far less maintenance and provide song and color to any home. These pets aren't as outgoing and cuddly as a cat or dog, but for single moms that need to focus on raising kids, cleaning the house, working a job or studying for college scholarship success, a pair of budgies might be the wisest decision.
•Hamsters and gerbils are small, furry pets that are fun to watch and easy to care for, can be moved easily and create little to no noise. Because these animals are always caged, small children can watch them easily but not risk getting injured like they might with a dog or cat. For single moms with very young children, these may be the ideal option.
•Fish are pretty to look at and make a good focal point in any room, but they aren't the same as a creature that interacts with you. Even hamsters can be patted and held, so small children won't appreciate fish as much as other animals. For college scholarship holders, though, having a pet that's as easy to maintain as possible could be the best answer, but fish tanks are labor-intensive, so they may not be a good fit.
