Pets can become more than just a familiar animal around the house, they can become like another member of the family. For an adult the loss of a pet may be just part of the process, as emotional as it still remains. Still, there are other members of the family that pet loss can be hard for. Children often times have their first experiences with death after losing a beloved pet, and, sometimes surprisingly to most people, many pets who live together think of one another as family, and the death of one pet can actually cause extreme grief in the other.
Since many children first experience death with pets, it is very important to handle this situation carefully. Many people don’t remember how traumatic and confusing death was the first time they had to deal with it. Children tend to grieve shorter than adults do, but their pain is still intense. Maybe even more so. Young children also tend to come back to the subject repeatedly, be patient. Give your kid hugs and support. Discuss death and grief honestly. Side stepping the issue won’t help at all, and children have great instincts, they know when something isn’t being said. Never say things like “God took your pet," or that their pet was put to sleep. All this accomplishes is to make a child fear God is waiting to take away everything, and it will make them afraid to go to sleep. Have an honest conversation . . . these are facts of life everyone has to learn at some point. Special Note: Do not get your kid a new pet right away. Give them time to adjust, and do not get a new pet until they are ready, otherwise it will only be harmful in the long run.
If you have other pets in the house, be sure to watch for behavior changes in them, too. Pets can form very strong family/pack bonds with one another. The remaining pets may be restless, anxious, nervous. Some pets that are usually energetic may choose to sleep for long periods of time, and eating habits become finicky. If you had several dogs and the pet that died was the dominant male/female, there will probably be scuffles and some fights as the remaining dogs try to figure out the new hierarchy. This is natural, and should be interfered with as little is actually possible. Keep your other pets’ schedules as normal as possible, and eventually they will return back to their old habits. They are like kids: they need time to grieve and work things out; just like everyone else in the family.
The bustling bazaars and sprawling souks of Turkey are bound to appeal to mum with her shopaholic tendencies. She can also try her hand at haggling with the locals, in this family holiday destination, which is sure to make a monthly shop in Tesco seem like a walk in the park in comparison. A traditional Turkish hamman massage is the perfect pampering treatment, with a brisk exfoliating treatment, followed by a serious coating of foam. For stressed-out mums that work hard all year around, a holiday in the sun isn't complete without some serious sunbathing, and with miles and miles of sandy beaches, Mum will be able to choose the perfect spot to top up her tan, whilst Dad stands by with the sun cream.
For Dads ?The ancient town of Ephesus is definitely worth an excursion.
For Girls - Visit the friendly dolphins at Adaland Water Park.
For Boys ? Play at being pirates on a traditional Turkish Gulet Cruise.
Dad - Croatia
There are two main reasons why the destination of Croatia would appeal to Dads; the chance to explore in the great outdoors and the cheap beer. If Dad is a bit of a fitness freak, expect many family bike rides around Istria's green fields and crumbling mountains. The package holiday destination provides ample opportunities for mountain hikes, and the marine life of the crumbling Croatian coast is definitely worth exploring on a diving excursion. After all that hard work Dad is definitely going to need a beer and with the average cost of a pint in Croatia as ?1.24 there's no reason why he shouldn't spoil himself on his holiday in the sun.
For Mums ? Treat yourself to a succulent seafood supper at the child-friendly Fancita restaurant in Istria.
For Girls ? Visit the cute red squirrels at the Istria Squirrel Park.
For Boys ? Visit the Adrenaline Park in Umag.
Girls ? Cyprus
Girls that have studied the Ancient Greeks at school will love a trip to the fabled Aphrodite's Isle. The romantic story of a beautiful woman born from the sea, who could make any man fall in love with her, is bound to appeal to fans of fairy stories and Disney movies alike. Aphrodite's Rock stands in Paphos, and it said to mark the exact spot that the Goddess rose from. However, a package holiday in Cyprus needn't just be about exploring the ancient sites affiliated to Aphrodite. The Greek Goddess now has her own super modern water park in Paphos, with family rafting and a super volcano.
For Mums ? View the beautiful Byzantine painted churches in the Troodos Mountains.
For Dads ? Visit the most important Neolithic site in the Mediterranean at Choirokoitia.
For Boys ? Visit the Dinosaur Park in Ayia Napa.
Boys ? Gran Canaria
Everyone knows that boys love adventure and the volcanic island of Gran Canaria is the perfect package holiday destination for thrill-seeking kids. The sand dunes will enthral and delight boys on a family holiday in Gran Canaria, and taking a super jeep tour around them is definitely sure to prove a key highlight of their sun holiday. Budding palaeontologists will already know that this is where the TV documentary ?Walking With Dinosaurs? was filmed and the giant lizards of Gran Canaria are said to be the closest living relative of these prehistoric creatures, so it's definitely worth attempting to spot one on your sun holiday.
For Mums ? Sunbathe on the unspoilt beach of Guigui.
For Dads ? Visit the wild western town of Sioux City and its legendary Cowboy and Indian fights.
For Girls ? Visit the pink flamingos at the Palmitos Amusement Park and Zoo.
Both Ted Belfoure & Jane Wilkinson are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.