Category: Well-Being

Parents with intact marriages do not need to bother about the requirements for child support for their child’s post-secondary education, but what about divorcees or parents in a similar relationship? The case is different, and many factors are weighed to determine a parent’s requirement for post-secondary support.

Post-secondary or post-minority education, such as college, university, or other advanced education programs, is categorized under section 7 or special expenses. And while both divorced parents might voluntarily agree to take care of the post-secondary education expenses, other times, a parent mostly a custodial parent, might raise such a request, or any party in a 50/50 custody child support agreement can do so.

The age for a post-minority child varies across the states in the US, some 18, some 19, others 21. Also, laws like the divorce act and the family law act affect these requirements. Courts can also adjust requirements based on factors such as the parent’s financial circumstances, the child’s needs, and the child’s eligibility for loans or grants. A family lawyer can provide guidance in navigating these adjustments to ensure fair and appropriate arrangements are made.

The court also checks the child’s good academic standing, program cost, willingness to remain under his parent, and other possible factors. Therefore, this article will show you the basic requirements for states in the US.

Requirements for Child Support for Post-Secondary Education across States in US

There are three categories for post-secondary support in the US, namely;

• States that do not require post-secondary educational support, namely; Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, District of Colombia, Florida, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia, Wyoming, Kentucky, and Wisconsin.

• States that require post-secondary educational support are; Hawaii, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, South Carolina, and Washington.

• States requiring post-high school education support and have some stipulations: Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Utah, Vermont, and Virginia.

You can check the financial support required for your State’s post-secondary educational expenses below.

States that do not Require Post-Secondary Support for Educational Expenses in the US 

Alaska – The majority age for Alaska is 18 years, and following the Dowling rule does not require Post-secondary school support for the majority except for disabled children.

Arizona – While the majority age in Arizona is 18, post-secondary financial support is required for disabled children and children who are still in high school at the time of clocking 18. If the child in high school is emancipated for reasons other than clocking 18, the legislature does not cover that child.

Arkansas – The majority age in Arkansas is 18. At this age, except for mentally and physically disabled children, the legislature does not require any parent to cover financial and educational costs.

California/Delaware/Maine – Child support for educational expenses is only required for incapacitated children and children who turn 18 while in high school. For a majority child in high school, the grace for this support terminal when the child clocks 19 or at the child’s high school graduation; anyone that comes first.

District of Colombia – Unlike previously listed states, the majority age is 21, and the support ceases once a child exceeds 21. Though, the court requires it in exceptional cases like the case of a disabled child.

Florida – Post-secondary education support is required for mentally and physically incapacitated children past majority age or a dependent high school child between 18-19, or with good academic records. Also, the statute allows courts of competent jurisdiction to decide on increasing or decreasing support for a dependent child until the child’s age is 21.

Idaho – Idaho requirement is exactly like California, but it is decided by the court whether to favor the requirement when a child clocks 18.

Kansas – The post-secondary school support for educational costs is only required if the parents agree.

Kentucky – Post-secondary support for educational costs is only required for a mentally or physically incapacitated child.

Louisiana – in Louisiana, child support for educational purposes is terminated once a child is a majority or emancipated, except till 19 for a secondary school child with good standing and dependent on a parent.

Mississippi – The age of majority is 21, and support terminates at 21 unless the child marries or is recruited into the army.

Nebraska – The majority age in this State is 19, so educational costs are supported till age 19.

New Mexico – The court has no right to enforce post-secondary support for educational expenses. Their majority age is 18.

Nevada/Oklahoma/Ohio – Post-high school education costs only last until a child ages 18 or 19 if still in secondary school.

Pennsylvania – Post-secondary education support is not required.

Rhode Island – The court can order post-secondary educational support for high school students for 90 days or more after their eighteen birthday but not beyond their nineteen birthday.

South Dakota – supports paying post-high school education costs only last till a child clocks 18 or 19 if still in secondary school.

Tennessee – The statute in Tennessee allows parents to provide post-secondary support till a child is 18 or till a child in high school or his class graduates from high school.

Texas – Post-high school education expenses only last until a child ages 18 or 19 if still in secondary school.

West Virginia – Support can last more than the majority age (18) unless the child has physical or emotional disabilities.

Wyoming – A child can be supported until 18 or 20 years if still in high school or its equivalent.

Kentucky – Support can last more than the majority age (18) unless the child has physical or emotional disabilities.

Wisconsin – supports paying post-high school education expenses only last until a child ages 18 or 19 if still in secondary school

States that Require Child Support for Postsecondary Education Support (PES) and with Stipulation

Colorado – The Colorado legislature does not require PES after a child is 19 unless the parties agree. Otherwise, the child is physically or mentally disabled, or the child is still in high school.

Connecticut – Support end at age 18 unless the child is in secondary school, unmarried, and still living with one of his parents. This exception ends after the child finishes 12^th grade or reaches 19. The court can also compel support for a child in exceptional cases.

Georgia – The support for post-minority in Georgia terminates once a child reaches majority age, dies, marries, or after emancipation.

Maryland – Supports last till 18, or 19/graduation, if the child is in high school. The court may check the court order or existing separation or property settlement agreement to determine if a case is appropriate.

Michigan – After a child reaches a majority, a court can still order for support of a full-time student until the child is 19 years and a half.

Minnesota/ North Carolina – Allows support for a child till 18 or 20 if the child is a high school student or disabled.

Montana – Allow support for a child till 18, or 19/graduation if still in high school, and more than 19 if disabled.

North Dakota/Virginia – The support last till 18, or 19/graduation, if the child is in high school. The court may extend this support in critical situations.

Utah – A child can become a post-minority child when he clocks 18 or gets married, and the support end then. The court can extend this period for exceptional cases.

Vermont – The support end at the majority age; 18. But support ends at 21 if the child is still in school, college, university, or vocational training. Also, during the statutory period, a trial court can increase the postsecondary educational cost the husband remits, notwithstanding the stipulation incorporated in the divorce judgment allowing paying child support beyond the statutory timeline.

States that Require Post-Secondary Support for Education Expenses in the US

Hawaii – The support terminates when the child reaches 19 years. Also, a 3-month notice must be sent before the clocks 19. When the child is a full-time student in a college or university before age 19, the court has to be notified by the child or the custodian parent not to suspend the support.

Indiana – In Indiana, there might be a child support order to pay a summation of the education costs in higher learning institutions where necessary. Where it is not the case, child support ceases when a child is 21.

Iowa – In Iowa, the extent of post-minority support depends on the child’s financial capability, age, and self-sufficiency to cater to his need. Hence the trial court might order child support for a child age 18 – 21 if the child is a full-time student, has accepted an admission, or has a good academic standing.

Massachusetts – After the majority age of 18, support can be extended to 21 if the child stays with either parent and is already enrolled in an educational program. The court can also order an extension till 23 if the child is dependent on the parent because of the course the child is enrolled in, but not beyond the undergraduate degree.

Missouri – While support lasts until 18, Missouri requires support for a child enrolled into a higher institution until the child is 22 or graduates, whichever comes first.

New Hampshire – Support lasts till 18, or when the child completes secondary school above 18. Marriage, emancipation, and joining the army can also terminate support.

New Jersey – Support last till 19 years and till 23 if the child is still in high school, college, or disabled.

New York – Support last till 19 but can also be extended to 21. In most cases, the court determines whether to place a child support order for post-high school educational support for college, private school, or special academic programs.

Oregon – Support last till age 18. However, it can be extended to 21 for an unmarried child in high school or college.

South Carolina – Support last till 18. But a family court can request parents to cater to a child’s high school or college education in cases where the child’s attitude indicates that he or she will benefit from college. Or the child has good academic standing, or the child has to go to school, or the parent can afford the cost of the education.

Washington – Support last till 18 and may extend above that if the child still depends on a parent. Based on many factors, the court determines whether the adult child is dependent on the parent for cogent necessities of life.

Note:  You might need to consult an attorney or click here for better clarification if you are confused.

Conclusion

Since these requirements from parents vary, it is essential for divorcing parents to keep themselves updated with changing statutes in individual states. Also, parents can agree to cater to their child’s educational expenses beyond the laws.

Additional Resources

• Co-parenting tips for divorced parents with joint custody.
• Understanding custody appeals success rates and factors.

The topic of mental health has never been more relevant in public discourse, but one group of people still aren’t getting their due attention: children. The mental wellness (or lack thereof) of today’s kids and teens will determine humanity’s future, so it’s imperative that we shed more light on the mental struggles of those age groups.

Here are five digital resources you should try to fight the stigma of youth mental illness and foster a supportive environment for kids who need help.

1.  Coping Skills for Kids

Kids have trouble expressing their mental states because they don’t have the maturity or experience to know how they should react. As a result, they often resort to emotional outbursts that leave their mental health worse off than before. The usual response to a child’s meltdown is to let them get the emotions out of their system, followed by an obligatory “calm down” https://www.safesearchkids.com/5-digital-resources-for-fighting-the-stigma-of-mental-illness/from the parents and possible punishment.

However, a tantrum might be more complex than adults think. It could be a cry for help and a sign of deeper problems. Adults must demonstrate proper coping skills so kids can avoid future outbursts and channel their emotions in a more constructive way. That’s where “Coping Skills for Kids” comes in.

“Coping Skills for Kids” has many mindfulness resources to help children calm down and voice their feelings. Teaching kids healthy coping skills early on will help us understand and appreciate what they’re going through and find a solution before it leads to more mental decline.

2.  Anxiety Relief (Psych Central)

Anxiety is the second-most prevalent mental condition among children after ADHD, but it’s also the most misunderstood condition. Parents might see common symptoms of anxiety in their children – irritability, constant worrying, trouble concentrating, sleeping problems, etc. –  and assume they’re simple growing pains that all kids experience.

All kids have their emotional and behavioral pitfalls, but that doesn’t mean you should brush off the telltale signs of anxiety so easily. Instead, you should help your children seek anxiety relief with resources from Psych Central. This site has guides to help parents flesh out their kids’ anxiety along with quizzes and inspirational stories.

These resources also help parents improve their awareness of anxiety, depression and other common mental issues. Identifying the symptoms before they cause further damage is crucial to a child’s healthy development.

3.  The Media and Body Image (Mirror-Mirror)

TV, the internet and social media have had disastrous effects on youth body image. Kids are exposed to supermodels, professional athletes and other idealized versions of people from a young age, establishing unrealistic expectations and causing harmful body image disorders – body dysmorphia, anorexia and bulimia, to name a few.

Although we usually associate body image issues with girls, boys are just as susceptible. Boys are just less likely to ask for help than girls due to long-standing social norms. This problem is one of the many stigmas about youth mental health that need addressing.

Mirror-Mirror is a platform that highlights the causes and effects of body image disorders – both in boys and girls. The site excels at demonstrating the media’s various tactics and how young people respond to them. This information is crucial for parents, as they must monitor what their children watch and take swift action to eliminate harmful content that might lead to mental health issues.

Excessive media consumption is bad for a child’s development no matter what they’re watching. As the adult who controls what your kids consume, you must do your part to deconstruct the false reality that the media has built. Mirror-Mirror can help you along the way.

4.  Recognizing Learning Disabilities in Teens (Parenthetical)

People have raised many valid criticisms about the modern education system, but we don’t pay quite as much attention to the students within the system. Learning disabilities are also much more prevalent in kids and teens than we realize. Some studies estimate that one in five students has a learning disorder and millions of cases go unidentified.

Rather than placing full blame on the system, parents and teachers must pay more attention to spot learning disabilities and provide students with a more suitable educational setting. “Parenthetical” from the University of Wisconsin-Madison provides resources to help adults recognize learning disabilities in teens and tweens.

UW is one of the best schools for psychology in the U.S., often collaborating with the National Center for Learning Disabilities to carry out research. Parenthetical is a blog with information from both organizations to educate adult mentors about youth mental disorders and the best ways to deal with them.

5.  Erika’s Lighthouse

Continuing with the emphasis on learning and education, Erika’s Lighthouse is a non-profit organization that raises awareness about youth depression through programs in school communities. These programs are built on four pillars:

• Classroom education
• Teen empowerment
• Family engagement
• School policy and staff

Early identification and intervention are vital for helping young people address their mental struggles, but this task can look different as kids get older. Erika’s Lighthouse covers specific age groups, moving from introductory programs about depression to deeper discussions about body image, suicide and other topics that become more relevant in the teenage years.

These programs also connect family life with school life. Ending the stigma around youth mental health requires close collaboration between parents and teachers, and Erika’s Lighthouse gives you the resources to do so.

Keep Fighting the Good Fight

Today’s children face extreme pressure from parents, schools and the media. The only way we can improve their collective mental health is by rethinking all three factors. These five resources will help you keep fighting the good fight and create a more supportive world where kids can be open and honest about their mental health.

About the Author
Ava Roman (she/her) is the Managing Editor of Revivalist, a women’s lifestyle magazine that empowers women to live their most authentic life. When Ava is not writing you’ll find her in a yoga class, advocating for her children or whipping up something delicious in the kitchen!

Do you want to join swimming classes? Or looking to enroll your child in swimming lessons? No doubt you would be seeking the best swim coach for better training. Quick online research can help you out in finding a private swimming instructor in your region. But still, there are some qualities that a good swimming coach should have.

Not sure which qualities to look for?

Well, below in this article, we have mentioned the top 8 best qualities that will help you find your next coach. Read on!

8 Qualities To Look When Finding A Swimming Instructor Should Have

For many reasons, learning how to swim is beneficial for children and adults alike.  Even if an individual has basic swimming skills, it never improve those skills are important and can even be life saving.  Now, let’s have a look over the important features a good swimming coach should have.

1. Experience

Years of experience may look like a basic and common feature, but this is the most important thing when learning from a coach. Adults or children require a set of skills to learn swimming. But young children need a different way of teaching while adults require something different.

So your instructor should be well-trained in their field. It’s true that one coach can’t train both adults and children. Hence, when you are finding a swimming instructor, make sure you cross-check their specialty and experience (with adults or children).

Choosing an experienced coach is helpful for the students because there would be more chances of learning better.

2. Qualifications

Now, let’s head towards the most important thing that is certifications and qualifications of the swimming coach you are choosing.

If someone has recommended a male or a female swimming instructor to you, then start with their certificates. Ask them to show you genuine qualification certificates. If someone is a great swimmer, it doesn’t mean they would be a good instructor also.

A well-trained and certified swimmer knows what the best techniques to teach swimming are. Also, they work according to ethics and use their knowledge as a strong teaching point.

Ask them to show;

• Swimming certificate (from authorized institute)
• Graduation or post graduation degree in swimming (any of them)
• Experience of training students

3. Focused

Swimming skills need high focus from students as well as the instructor. And, you know it’s an underwater activity, so coaches need to be extra attentive and dedicatedly focused on students. Small negligence may lead to a major mishap in the pool.

So, when you schedule a meeting with a private swimming instructor, ensure you check whether they are focused or not. It’s important for the instructor to engage themselves on every lap of the swimmer while practicing.

Also, for an instructor it’s easier to focus on students in an indoor swimming pool rather than an outdoor pool. It is because the indoor pools save students as well as coaches from harsh weather conditions.

Coaches instruct students as well as guide them on their mistakes, so they should be highly focused on every step. Furthermore, swimming becomes much easier when the instructor concentrates on the students.

4. Sharp Observers

Mostly, the best coaches are the finest observers of their students. And this quality helps to enhance the swimming skills of swimmers. It is because the more they point out mistakes the better would be the chances to learn faster.

The private swimming instructor is a better choice if you want them to stay focused only on you. There is no disturbance, and all the concentration of the coach would be on a single student. Moreover, ask your coach to feel free to interrupt when they find something wrong.

5. Confident

Confidence is the key to success!

A swimmer won’t be able to approach the blocks if their trainer is not confident. A coach shouldn’t just look convinced but also feel the same when teaching swimming.

Furthermore,  a swimming instructor’s confidence is readily absorbed by a learner. The best swimming coaches know how to meet the requirements of their students and make them feel confident.

6. Encourage Students

Learning any new skill is a tough task that requires appreciation by the coach, not sympathy. So, make sure you meet the previous students of the private swimming instructor that you have chosen.

It will help you to know the teaching method of the coach. A learner needs comfort as well as a decided goal to learn swimming.

There will be a time when students will feel pain while practicing, but the coach needs to be strong enough to encourage them rather than feel pity. Sympathy leads to failure, while appreciation is a primary step towards success. This can be especially true during swimming lessons for children with special needs.

7. Market reputation

Words of mouth do not help to learn swimming, but expertise does.

So how can you confirm that the private swimming instructor you have chosen is the right one?

The solution is here!

Check out the Instagram account, Facebook page/account, and Google reviews to find out about the swimming coach.

Moreover, you can ask your colleagues, friends, or relatives. There are more possibilities that you would get a good recommendation from your peers.

8. Reliable

When you are looking for a swimming instructor, reliability is also an important feature. If a trainer is not punctual and doesn’t teach the way you want, then it becomes hard to trust them.

There are a few qualities that your trainer should have:

• They should not cancel the last-minute lessons until the absolute emergency situations.
• The swimming instructor must be available a few minutes before class time.
• They should start and finish the swimming lessons on time so that they can start the next swimming class on time.
• Good at listening to questions and answering them.
• Act responsibly with kids as well as with their parents.
• The coach must be capable of answering queries related to cancellations and delays in classes.

Conclusion

Swimming is a basic life-saving skill that everyone should learn. So, are you ready to enroll your kid or yourself in the swimming class? Whether you choose a male or female swimming instructor make sure they have the above listed qualities.

Well, we hope this article has helped you understand the most important traits to look for when finding an instructor. Furthermore, choosing a good coach is a major step to learn swimming better and more easily. Hopefully, you will find the best swimming coach in your town. All the best.

Read how to support your child in sport selection so that they possess the long term passion needed to excel.

If you are thinking about getting a pet for your child, how about reptiles?  They make excellent pets, simply because they are exotic and unique. These unique creatures are low-maintenance, interactive, and cute.  Having reptiles as a kid can teach your child a lot of responsibility.

You never know, a reptile may help your child know what he or she wants to pursue in life, such as a biologist. These exotic pets can also bring your child so much joy.

But, here is the thing, not all reptiles are child-friendly. Some reptiles, even the most popular ones, make terrible pets for children.

That is precisely why you need this article, which will introduce you to our 9 child-friendly reptiles that are safe for your family. Read on to learn more!

What are Reptiles?

Reptiles are land animals that have dry skin covered by scales. They are cold-blooded vertebrates that lay eggs.

This group of animals is made up of lizards, chameleons, snakes, skinks, turtles, tortoises, and alligators. These animals are ectothermic, which means their body temperature is dependent on their environment. Reptiles also come in all different shapes, sizes, and colors.

Some reptiles, like leopard geckos and bearded dragons, can be used for animal therapy for children. This is so because these animals are calm, friendly, and like to be cuddled.

9 Child-Friendly Reptiles

For each reptile to make it to this list, it had to meet five important criteria, which include the following.

• Cheap and easy to feed and keep
• Friendly, calm, and easy to handle
• It has to be not dangerous
• It needs to be hardy and tolerant because kids tend to make mistakes

1.    Leopard Gecko

Photo by Andrey Tikhonovskiy on Unsplash

A leopard gecko can make a great pet for a child. Leopard geckos are very hardy, tolerant, passive, and easy to handle. These little animals really like to be petted and cuddled.

Over a long time, geckos have developed special features that help them survive. One of such unique features is the tail, which serves several purposes. They use it for balancing, storing fat for energy, and acting as camouflage. And they can shed their tail.

These interesting lizards are also easy to look after. They only need one size of an enclosure because they don’t grow too big. They don’t need special lighting, which is quite expensive. Get more information on how to care for a leopard gecko at reptileslife.com.

Another interesting aspect of these little creatures is that they don’t have teeth. So, if they accidentally bite kids (very seldomly), they are not going to hurt them.

2.    Crested Gecko

Photo by Pierre Bamin on Unsplash

A crested gecko is an arboreal lizard with a relatively docile temperament and a gentle disposition. Crested geckos are easy to handle when they are comfortable.

Although juvenile crested geckos may tend to be nervous and skittish when handled, adults are more tolerant. Crested geckos like to jump probably because they are arboreal reptiles. So, that shouldn’t worry you so much.

Like leopard geckos, crested geckos are fairly easy to care for. For starters, they don’t need a very big enclosure or special lighting features. They can conveniently thrive on shop-bought gecko food as well as feeder insects and crickets.

3.    Bearded Dragon

Photo by David Clode on Unsplash

A bearded dragon or a beardie is a slow-moving reptile that is usually passive. Bearded dragons are among the most popular pet lizards out there.

Beardies have one of the best temperaments as far as reptiles are concerned. They are normally docile, easy to pick up and appreciate being handled. They are so cute, and they are one of the few reptiles we know that like to cuddle a lot.

Unlike geckos, beardies require a slightly larger aquarium tank or an enclosure. A smaller habitat will restrict activity, which may end up affecting the well-being of the beardie. They also need special lighting features to maintain the ideal temperatures and UVB.

4.    Corn Snake

Photo by Joshua J. Cotten on Unsplash

Also referred to as a red rat snake, a corn snake is a brownish-yellow or orange snake with a unique pattern of red blotches. Corn snakes also have distinctive rows of black and white marks on their bellies.

Most snakes are feared because of their aggressive behaviors and defenses. Corn snakes, on the other hand, are non-aggressive, docile, calm, and will be comfortable being handled by any member of your family. They are hardy, so they could handle a little bit of rough handling by a kid.

These reptiles are also easy to house. You just need a terrarium of at least 40 gallons. As far as feeding is concerned, they eat about one rodent a week, making them easy and economical to feed.

5.    Blue-Tongued Skink

Photo by Alexander Kuzmin on Unsplash

A blue-tongued skink is a heavy-bodied pet lizard that is characterized by a blue tongue, triangular head, and short tail and legs.

Blue-tongued skinks are arguably one of the best reptile species for a child. They are among the hardiest and most robust reptiles in our listing because of their size and stature. These reptiles are easily tamed, gentle, and often like to be handled, making them suitable for kids. You should, however, supervise your child when he or she is handling this lizard because it may get startled and jump.

Blue-tongued skinks will thrive in an enclosure that measures roughly 36 by 18 by 10 inches. They also need a larger floor space because they are terrestrial.

6.    Ball Python

Photo by Timothy Dykes on Unsplash

A ball python is a nonvenomous constrictor that lives in sub-Saharan Africa in the wild. They are the smallest of the African pythons.

Ball pythons are considered good pets for children because they don’t grow too big, are well-mannered, and are easy to handle. They are generally very docile snakes and rarely bite. Frequent handling makes them more comfortable around children.

Ball pythons are not difficult to care for. You need a terrarium of around 40 gallons and access to food and clean water.

7.    Stinkpot Turtle

A stinkpot or musk turtle is a distinctive reptile that a child would like to have as a pet. They are called stinkpot or musk turtles because they do musk and smell.

They are funny little turtles with a lot of personalities. Some are very secretive and shy, while others are curious and responsive. A stinkpot may appear boring on land, but it is very interactive and fun in the water. It’s going to swim around and come up for food.

A musk turtle should thrive in a 30 to 40-gallon tank with a water (dechlorinated) depth of about 8 inches. Musk turtles also thrive on a commercially available diet.

8.    Kenyan Sand Boa

A Kenyan sand boa is a distinctive pet reptile with a thick, short body, small eyes, and a blunt head.

As far as frequent handling is concerned, Kenyan sand boas tick all the boxes. They have a manageable size for a child and don’t tend to move very quickly. They are also quite hardy, which means a little bit of rough handling will not hurt them.

What is truly impressive about these snakes is the fact that they can go a long time without water and food. This is a good thing for a busy parent who doesn’t have a lot of time to help his or her kid take care of the snake.

9.    Collared Lizard

A collared lizard is a colorful reptile that is usually found in the deserts of the southwestern United States in the wild.

Collared lizards are normally intelligent and docile. But, they have to be tamed first before they can tolerate being handled frequently. So, we recommend parents always supervise their children when they are handling collared lizards.

A collared lizard should be comfortable in an enclosure or tank that is at least 30 gallons or larger.

These reptiles need to feed mainly on insects to get the appropriate nutrients for their well-being. Younger collared lizards usually eat more insects than adults.

Safety Tips to Consider

Reptiles can make great pets for kids, but some of them may be carrying salmonella bacteria even when they appear healthy and clean.

Salmonella doesn’t usually cause reptiles to get sick, but it can make a child ill. The risk of a child getting a salmonella infection is high because of their developing immune system.

In this section, we will provide you with important safety tips that will help reduce the risk of your child getting a salmonella infection.

• Take the reptile to a veterinarian to be cleared of salmonella bacteria
• Teach your child to thoroughly wash his or her hands with warm water and soap immediately after handling a reptile
• As a parent, it is your responsibility to ensure that your child washes his or her hands after touching a reptile
• Avoid introducing reptiles to younger children (less than 5 years old) because their immune systems are not well-developed
• Always keep the reptile enclosure or habitat as clean as possible and out of reach for younger children

Final Words on Child-Friendly Reptiles

Photo by Macey Bundt on Unsplash.

Pet reptiles like bearded dragons, leopard geckos, and corn snakes are fascinating for kids. But, they do need care and attention. So, you have to make sure that you and your family are well-prepared before taking one home. You need to have the appropriate habitat for the reptile, and teach your child how to handle and care for the animal. Most importantly, you (the parent or guardian) must always have time to supervise your child when he or she is handling a reptile. pet