5 Pros and Cons to Raising Babies and Dogs, at the Same Time

Five Christmases ago, Riley Chuck Norris Schmitz entered our life. Well to be frank, we rescued him, sick as a dog can be, from a poor situation and likely a tragic end to a short life. Then, the following spring, Cooper the Bichon joined our pack.

But this post isn't about why you should rescue/adopt versus supporting the true hellholes that are mall pet shops or dog brokers. Or why a pet isn't an appropriate holiday gift for kids, unless of course, your hearts and wallets have been ripped right open to the lifelong commitment (subtle aren't I?) 

No, this post is about the positives and negatives you may experience if you open your home to furry friends and human babies, simultaneously, inspired by my one very long Sunday alone with my wee ones.

1. Your Personal Development
PRO: Taking care of a living thing helps better prepare you to take care of other types of living things.
CON: You can't leave your home for any amount of time without having a plan for how these living things will fare either running the house, safe in their crates, or in the care of another human being that is not you. 

2. Your Financial Savvy
PRO: With both, you are forced to learn to budget and plan financially to attend to their critical needs, and for the unforeseen events that will arise. Think vet bills, supplies, special foods for weak stomaches for dogs; or diapers, baby wipes, and the latest in toddler wearable technology to keep your kid ahead of his playdate peers (I joke, I hope). 
CON: Any previous "disposable" income of yours is, in fact, now more disposed of than ever, and much feels like its flushed down disposal-type appliances.

3. Your Hygiene in the Home
PRO: As your babies grow and learn to feed themselves, the large percentage that doesn't quite make it to their mouths will end up on chairs, clothes and the floor. Dogs are great for helping clean up here, and even more, will sometimes take care of food from the table that you haven't even served yet, eliminating all chance of messes. How thoughtful they are! They will even clean up spit up off the floor and carpet if you let them. You can also buy products that pull double duty with kids and pet messes, thus creating efficiencies in your shopping. 
CON: Your dogs may take their mission too far. No, I did not need you to clean out the kids potty while I was busy celebrating the accomplishment! No I did not need you to seek and destroy snacks and juice boxes from my diaper bag and leave the garbage scattered throughout the room; nor eat half the box of wipes you snagged from the shelf when I was home (that was a fun couple of days in the yard outside). And thanks for also leaving your own messes in each room of the house because we didn't take you with us to Target. 

4. Your Patience Threshold
PRO: Your patience will grow. 
CON: Your patience will wane. 

5. Your Heart & Soul
PRO: Not only is running after kids or puppies is an underrated form of cardio, but just one look into those beautiful innocent eyes, and your spirit can soar to the moon (no matter who or what just drug the whole roll of toilet paper into the hallway). Plus those moments when you catch them in a cuddle together...my word.
CON: You will lose sleep and likely your youthful glow worrying about these precious buddies. But that's what true love is all about. 

Would love to hear your experiences!