Life is hectic. It’s nice to stop and ‘smell the roses’ as the old saying goes. So busy taking the kids to school, to work, to after-school activities, to soccer, to dancing, to piano lessons, to homework, to dinner, to the bathroom, to bed. Does that routine sound familiar?
Many of us are living in a whirlwind with no time to stop for a moment, take stock, and see what is truly wonderful in this world. I have found some time to relax, sit with the kids, just watch our goldfish every day rewarding.
I want children to grow up understanding commitment. Trends and fashions can easily dominate every part of our lives, from the food we buy, the clothes we wear, to the house we live in. The term “throwaway society” creeps into our vocabulary far too often.
Our young children have the job of feeding our goldfish. The feeding ritual itself is a lesson for children. Not only do they commit to feeding the fish on a daily basis, but they learn that variety is important to the health of the fish. Even goldfish need their fruits and vegetables. A little zucchini and peas help keep your body healthy, just like ours. Reinforcing the message of the importance of good nutrition.
They help with the weekly cleaning of the fish tank. Being diligent with aquarium care and keeping the tank clean is vitally important to the health of your fish.
I love the deeper lessons our children are learning by caring for their fish. Unlike cats and dogs, these pets cannot go to the door when they need to get out or want to go for a walk. Goldfish is fully connecting with our diligence to meet your needs. If we disappoint them, we may shorten their lives. Their lives depend entirely on our care.
The good thing about goldfish is that they are relatively hardy, particularly the kite breed. These fish are very lively and add great color to the tank. Comet tails are ¾ the length of a fish’s body and therefore look magnificent when added to an aquarium.
Overcoming the “disposable” attitude of society can be difficult. Children are conditioned from a very early age to ‘throw away’ things that are used, or that are imperfect.
Too often, a goldfish comes to a premature end and is flushed down the toilet. With diligence, attention, and a little knowledge, this can often be avoided.
With care, we can take care of our pet to regain health. A small hospital tank can be installed to isolate and treat sick fish. It is a rewarding experience to watch the fish recover and return home to the other fish.
We go to the computer and do research together. Installing a breeding tank, learning and observing the life cycle is another important lesson in care and breeding.
Keeping goldfish is one way to instill a loving attitude towards nature. The lessons for our children are invaluable: commitment, responsibility, nature’s life cycle and the importance of caring for life.
In addition to providing a wonderful addition to our home, these fish provide our family with much more than the scant care and attention necessary for their survival.