Should couples try having a pet together before having a child together?

Nothing can really prepare you for the true experience of parenting...but yeah, you should probably try to nurture SOMETHING together...even if it's just a plant or somethingShould couples try having a pet together before having a child together?
If they're in one of those on again, off again, we-never-can-quite-get-along relationships, then definitely. And if it's a couple where both are very career-oriented and they plan on sending their kid to daycare even though they could afford to live on one income, a pet is all they should ever have.





One thing though: I've had pets, and now I have kids, and there is almost nothing in common between kids and pets. They are so very different that having a pet wouldn't really prepare you at all for the stresses and responsibilities of parenthood.Should couples try having a pet together before having a child together?
It is a good measure to start with I suppose, but don't forget that the fondness one might have for a pet is no where close to the depth of love a parent will feel for a child. It is this depth of love that makes parenting so rewarding.





Dark Eyes, sweetie I can tell you don't have children, putting a whinging child in his room and ignoring him is how you teach him that whinging is going to get him nothing.
It's definitely a great idea to see if they're cut out for family life and meant to be together.





But keep in mind, a dog is only a fraction of the responsibility, cost and patience that is required to raise a child. Especially in the first year of their lives.








Good luck
Not even close to the same thing, but it would give you indications as to how they'd be as far as disciplinarian, training methods, affection, etc...





If a puppy whines/cries through the night, you can put it in another room and ignore it. You can't do that to a child.





EDIT: Rebecca...I'm talking about BABIES/PUPPIES. A whining child would be ignored in its room...FOR SURE. And...yes. I do have children.
Sure.





More importantly, they should discuss the kinds of parents they want to be, and try living together for more than a year to see if you're actually even a compatible *couple*, let alone compatible co-parents to a child.
It won't make much difference as far as seeing whether they can cope with a child is concerned. No animal is anything like as demanding or as complex as a human child.
If they like animals, it seems like a very good idea to see how well they can share responsibilities before they tackle the ';whole new human'; deal.
YES! I believe this is very important as it gives both partners a chance to see what type of nurturer the other is.
I think it is a great idea.
might be a good idea, but some are allergic (to babies)