The relationship between dogs and their human companions is almost as deep as the bond that parents share with their kids. It’s no wonder that the quote “dogs prepare you for babies” has been doing rounds on the internet for some time now. How true is it, though? To date, the quote continues to stir different reactions online.
What does “Dogs prepare you for babies” mean?
In the simplest terms, the quote “dogs prepare you for babies” suggests that raising a dog can prepare one for parenthood.
Some say that the responsibilities of dog ownership, to an extent, give one a sense of what it’s like to care for a human child. Perhaps this may explain why many couples opt to first welcome a dog into their lives before jumping right into parenting.
While raising a human child and caring for a dog are entirely different undertakings, a few similarities do exist between the two.
Do dogs really prepare you for babies?
There’s no denying that raising a dog may test a couple’s ability to nurture and provide for another living creature that’s fully dependent on them, just like a human child is. It’s a responsibility that can not only test your patience and deprive you of your sleep; it also demands much of one’s attention and finances.
However, many feel that the quote is further from the truth.
One Reddit user shared: “This is a cute sentiment, but it’s not true. Kids are so much more than a dog or cat. They do begin to prepare you but almost nothing actually prepares you for the months of sleep deprivation, the terror of a fully mobile toddler, the stress of sending a child to school during covid wave.”
Another wrote: “My wife and I had dogs before we had kids. We were still not prepared to have kids. ”
A third commenter added: “I doubt my dog will teach me how to change diapers, teach manners, help in personality development, etc… Human babies are completely different.”
