One sunny morning, while munching on his frozen waffle, 9-year-old Leo declared, “I want a pet of my own.” I shot him a skeptical glance and nodded toward the giant designer dog lounging in the corner, still adorned with remnants of a Boba Fett action figure. “No, I want something that’s just mine,” Leo insisted, shaking his head. “Like a gerbil or a hamster.”
A low groan escaped me. Over the years, our family had expanded to include four children, and with that came a menagerie of pets: parakeets that nipped and scattered feathers; African frogs we often forgot to feed; hermit crabs that mysteriously devoured one another (seriously!); and an endless array of fish. So many fish. A word to the wise: only parents looking to teach their children about loss should ever attempt to keep fish as pets.
Having learned my lesson, I vowed never again to allow pets that required tanks or cages. Keeping my kids alive and clean was already a monumental task; I didn’t need to add cages to the mix.
Now, there are many “rules” in parenting, but one of the most important is this: never establish rules. Inevitably, you will break them. Because when your sensitive, empathetic 9-year-old son, who feels everything deeply, asks for a pet that will reciprocate his affection, you find yourself becoming a rat owner.
Yes, a proud owner of not just one, but two rats.
After some initial reluctance, I dove into research on small pets. I recognized that having a pet to love would be meaningful for Leo. We needed an animal that was social, loving, and easy to care for—one that wouldn’t send my allergies into overdrive. After a moment of reluctant acceptance, I learned that rats are often hailed as intelligent, affectionate companions. Surprisingly, they might just be the perfect fit. So, like any devoted mom would do, I searched Craigslist for a rat breeder. Yes, they exist.
A few months later, Leo and I embarked on a two-hour journey to collect our new furry friends from a meticulous 19-year-old breeder living with her family and an astonishing number of rats. When we arrived, I was struck by the normalcy of the home—dinner wafting from the stove and a father reading the newspaper. As I gazed at the sprawling rat enclosure, I realized I might not be the world’s biggest pushover after all.
Leo promptly named his new companions Cinnamon and Luna, and he cradled them on his lap during our drive home. These little creatures thrived on lavender-scented bedding, multi-grain Cheerios, and cardboard tubes. And Leo? He adored every moment spent with them.
That evening, I shared a photo of Leo with his new pets on social media, prompting a flurry of responses ranging from horror to admiration. “You’re a nicer mom than I am,” several friends commented. But I didn’t see it that way. Motherhood has a way of pushing you beyond your limits, allowing you to embrace the unexpected. It means finding the strength to show affection for creatures you never imagined sharing your home with, all to make your child happy. The younger version of me, who lived in a tiny Manhattan apartment, would be incredulous that I willingly welcomed rats into my life, yet the mom I’ve become completely understands.
While I can’t say I’m thrilled about being a rat owner—I still dread cleaning the cage, even with Leo’s help—I recognize the joy these pets bring him. Leo navigates his feelings with a depth that often weighs heavily on him, and he truly needed these little critters. This, folks, is what love looks like: embracing pet rat ownership for your child’s happiness. Thankfully, rats have a relatively short lifespan of about three years, so there’s that small comfort.
In conclusion, if you’re curious to explore alternative paths to family expansion, consider checking out resources on home insemination, like American Pregnancy, which provides valuable information, or delve into Make a Mom, where you can find tools to assist you in your journey.
Keyphrase: Pet Rat Ownership
Tags: [“home insemination kit” “home insemination syringe” “self insemination”]