How do you teach your children about compassion and responsibility?
My 16 year old son Lucas, two year old son Nolan, five year old daughter Lydia and I had the privilege of watching one of our cows give birth to a healthy bull calf recently. Cocoa actually belongs to my oldest son, Quentin. He was fighting his way through finals week at college, so he missed the excitement.
I called Lucas home from school to stand by for assistance as needed. Nolan was very busy putting sand in his hair; he wasn’t impressed until after the calf was born. However, Lydia asked a lot of questions such as:
- “Why is she doing that?”
- “What is THAT?”
- “Is she okay?”
- “Is it alive?”
- “Is it a boy or girl?”
- “How long is this going to take?”
She also made statements like:
- “I hope she is going to be alright.”
- “That’s gross.”
- “Come on, Cocoa, I know you can do it!”
I answered all of her questions honestly using words like vulva, water bag and placenta like a mature, confident woman {right?}. I responded to her statements positively, trying to hide my own uncertainty like a good mother {right?}.
Fortunately for all, the delivery went quickly, taking only four hours. We waited, sipped warm coffee and played quietly together in the barn while listening to rain fall on the tin roof of our 100+ year old barn. I wondered for a moment just how many calves had been born under these old beams.
What an incredible way for my children to experience life as it truly is. Raw and powerful. Scary and uncertain. Gentle and nurturing. Have you ever seen a 1,500 pound animal with hooves tiptoe around their brand new baby? This giant lumbering animal suddenly has more grace than a ballerina.
We spend a great deal of time with our cattle. They trust us, but once a calf is born, all bets are off. You never know how strong their protective instincts are until you are flying over the fence to get out of their way! Along with witnessing nature at its finest, my kids saw me muster up the courage to get in the pen with Cocoa to make sure all was well with cow and calf. Raising animals requires physical and emotional strength that isn’t always easy to come by. Just like raising children, I suppose. You have to do the hard things even when you don’t think you can. You just do.
My family motto is “You’ll never find a bad kid on a good horse.” I like to add my own twist. You’ll never find a bad kid on a good horse, with a nice cow, playing with a fun dog, snuggling a gentle kitty or laughing at a bubbly fish.
Having animals, large or small teaches compassion and responsibility in ways other things simply cannot. Caring for animals teaches children to be stewards of their environment. Raising livestock fosters a deep understanding of nature and the importance of caring for all the earth provides. I am blessed that my family is able to do this.
I admire those parents who require their kids to meet certain benchmarks before they allow them to get a pet. That must set a good precedence before the animal even arrives. My kids have animals by default, I’d have them even if the kids didn’t want any and I’d still make them help with chores! Shoveling manure builds character.
How do you teach your children about compassion and responsibility?
