STUDY: 70% of Women View Their Pets…..

puppy

This is one of my dogs after a surgery. She was always cold and her bladder leaked for about 2 weeks. My poor baby girl.

 

Did you know? 

STUDY: 70% of Millennial Women View Their Pets as Children

According to Rover.com, many women view themselves as “dog moms” rather than owners. A study conducted by Veterinarians.org found that 70% of millennial women who chose not to have kids view their pets as children and treat them as such.

I can tell you, as a mom of biological, foster, adopted, and step kids- I also consider myself a fur mom. I never say “I own my dogs” or that I am an owner. I absolutely refer to them as my fur babies or 4 legged kids. I adore my dogs, as many of you know, and we do foster care and rehab for dogs of all ages and sizes. We love going to dog events, my dogs that get cold have sweaters, my small one has a backpack and a stroller we use for long days out that she can’t handle, and we have all manner of treats, toys, dog lotions for sore paws and hot spots and whatnot.

They are absolutely up to date on shots, get their heartworm pills, flea and tick treatments, and anything else in between. I love them and want them to be happy and comfortable- just like I would for my kids.  Are they as loved or as important to me as my children? No, of course not. But they don’t give me any crapola, either! Ha.

So. What did the professionals find?

Key Findings:

  • 69% of respondents say that having a pet is easier than having a child.
  • 52% say it’s easier to find care for their pet if they need to leave their home for an extended period of time.
  • 53% made a home purchase/renting decision based on whether there was enough outdoor space for their pet.
  • 33% of Millennial home-buying decisions were chiefly driven by the buyer’s dog (outranking marriage and kids as incentives).
  • 48% say the costs of caring for a pet are lower compared to children.
  • 42% of respondents say pets are less stressful.
  • 39% say that having a pet instead is less time-consuming.

pet parent

Birth Rates in US Survey Highlights

  • 42% of Millennial women who don’t plan to have children say the COVID-19 pandemic influenced their decision.
  • 41% say they don’t want to raise a child in the world’s current conditions.
  • 42% don’t feel there are enough programs and resources available (such as affordable healthcare and childcare) to help parents raise a child.
  • 49% believe people with children are more stressed than people without children.
  • Among Millennial women who don’t want children, 70% of those with pets view their dog/cat as their child.
  • Among these pet owners, 69% say having a pet is easier than having a child.
  • 48% of those with pets also say the costs of caring for a pet are lower than those for caring for a child.

While many believed the COVID-19 pandemic would fuel a ‘baby boom’ as couples found themselves spending more time together under lockdown, the opposite turned out to be true. In fact, according to data published by the CDC, birth rates in the U.S. reached a record low in 2020, showing a 4% decline in the number of U.S. births from the year prior. This figure is not only double the average yearly decline since 2014, but represents the lowest number of births since 1979.

However, this downward trend in births was noticeable even before the pandemic. Women, especially Millennial women, have been increasingly delaying motherhood to pursue careers and continuing education. Others have married later in life, or have put motherhood aside temporarily in the face of economic uncertainty.

There are also Millennial women who have opted out of motherhood altogether. We surveyed 400 of these women to explore their views on motherhood, children, and how domestic pets like dogs and cats may be the new ‘stand-in’ for children for millions of Millennial women around the U.S.

This study also discusses other reasons Millennial Women have decided to opt-out of motherhood.  See the whole article here- there is a lot of food for thought. See it here- https://www.veterinarians.org/birth-rates-in-us/

5 Ways That Motherhood Takes Its Toll On You

When you start having kids, people try to warn you how tough it can be but we don’t think anyone really warns enough. Yes, we love our kids unconditionally but there is a real toll that it takes on us mothers. Here are some ways that it can take its toll that you might not realize.

motherhood

Your back

During your pregnancy, your back is one of the places that gets it the most, especially at the end. Your back is one of the most important areas of your body and it gets a lot of issues as your pregnancy goes along. In the years that follow, you might need to see a Chiropractor to ensure there is no lasting damage. Plus, lifting your babies is one of the toughest workouts that your back can get and sometimes they can wriggle and hurt your back. 

It can age you

We sometimes wonder if having kids ages us because we feel so tired but it turns out, having kids actually ages you. And we mean this literally. Researchers have discovered that each pregnancy ages a woman’s cells by two years. So, when you are feeling drained after a long day, it’s not in your head, you have actually aged with every pregnancy. With this in mind, you need to get those super fruits into your diet.

Childbirth is painful

This is one of those things that people do try and warn you about but they don’t do a good job of explaining how painful it is. Yes, it is painful but manageable. However, in the days and weeks that follow, you will still feel sore. It is rare that you will be able to skip about like a spring lamb after giving birth. I some cases, you can still feel the pain from stitches years later. It is a good idea to keep an eye on these pains and niggles in case they develop into something else.

It can be lonely

Getting out of the house to see anyone can be tough. And if you are the first of your friends to have a baby, they will not understand what you are dealing with. Over time, you might discover that your friends drift away as you are busy with parenting stuff. We would like to point out, this can be lonely at first but over time, you will make new mom friends. Or your friends will start to join the parenting club too. Don’t be afraid to reach out to other moms if you a feeling the strain of motherhood.

It is expensive

If there is one place that gets hit hard, it is your wallet. Having kids is expensive and at some point, the cost might stop you from having any more. From the medical bills to the stuff that you need for them as a baby, to the items they need for school and their clubs. Having kids is one way to ensure that your savings get a pounding. There are some places that estimate the cost of a child can be as much as $10,000 per year, every year until they are 18 years old. 

Maintaining Your Mental Health as a Mom

When you go through pregnancy your doctor or midwife will take so many things into account, from your blood pressure to your weight, heart rate, and other physical elements. But how many times is mental health addressed? Becoming a new mom is something that can change your life completely, and so it makes complete sense that it can have an impact on your mental health. You could experience some anxieties around labor, stress over health, money, or situations out of your control, and you can be more tired than normal, which can all add up. 

It is important to not ignore your mental health when you are a new mom. So here are some of the things that you can do to help, from taking steps to decrease your stress levels, as well as things that can calm you or increase your energy levels. You and your baby will thank you for taking some steps for change.

Self-care is something that is so important for mental health, and important at any time, but especially when you are a new mom. It doesn’t mean that you have to go on spa trips each week, as with a baby that can be nearly impossible (and expensive). However, it is about taking some time to do something for you, to look after yourself. If you just need to take a nap when the baby naps, then do that; the household chores can wait. You’ll be able to do much more as your baby gets older.

Natural Remedies

There are a number of natural ways that you can help your mental health, according to https://www.mind.org.uk/. Sometimes medication from a doctor will be required for mental health, but sometimes there will be things that you can do for yourself, such as using CBD oils or taking St. John’s wort supplements when you’re feeling low. You could even look into the kinds of things that a site like https://fatbuddhaglass.com/ has. It can be some trial and error to find what works for you, but being proactive about how you are feeling is something that is so important. Talk to your doctor too, as they can advise what will be best if you don’t want to go down the medical route.

Treatments

One of the solutions for looking after your mental health would be to seek a treatment option. Typically, this involves speaking to your family doctor and then getting some kind of referral to see a specialist. Depending on your evaluation, you may be offered therapy sessions or even medication. However, not all of these treatments are suitable and it’s worth getting multiple opinions from different doctors if you have the ability to.

You’ll also find that there are many alternative treatments available for conditions like depression and your doctor may recommend them as a starting point, or if you’re showing signs of being treatment-resistant. For instance, your doctor may suggest Spravato providers like Andala. This is a nasal spray product that can be used together with antidepressants, but it could also be used on its own as a treatment option. In short, don’t be afraid to speak with a professional about your mental health.

Positive Self-Talk

When you are a new mom you are faced with so many exciting things, but also a lot of challenges. Some days will go well and you’ll feel like you’ve got a lot done. Other times you’ll feel like you don’t know what you’re doing and you will barely get dressed that day. Being a mom is something that you learn on the job, so it is important to not speak negatively towards yourself. You’re a beginner at this, and things will get better! Speak kindly to yourself and remember that you’ve got this!

Is there anything else that you would add to the list? It would be great to hear what you think.

When Does Mommy Get a Sick Day?

Most of you will know the answer- never. But why not? Dads get them (most dads, sorry to generalize) because mom will take care of the kids while dad is sick. But when mom is sick, well….dad tries. But Mom always needs to step in. Plus the kids will sneak into her room, the bathroom- the shower- we all know how this goes. But how is mom supposed to get better if she can’t get some rest?

mom day off

mom day off

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