In Reply to: Whoever said a kid can't take care of a glider? posted by Sarah on May 20, 2000 at 13:16:23:

You are exactly , what I tell others to do that wish to buy gliders FOR their children. You are there, you are involved with the gliders care, although Hanna is the one that is taking care of her now, if she doesn't you already know the responsibility will fall back on you, and you are willing to accept that. That makes your case , not the "general rule". We see too many parents buy them for the kids, and the kids lose interest. the glider suffers. There is a woman that bought her 14 year old daughter a breeding pair of gliders, so they could get the money for the babies. When Mom found out that she couldn't sell the babies, now she doesn't care about the gliders, the 14 year old girl is being left trying to get the money and means to feed and get medical help for her glider who now has HLP. The parents HAVE to be activly involved, they need to KNOW what all is involved and be willing to help, no matter what. We have never said that young people couldn't love a glider or even take care of it's basic needs..feeding etc..(if the parents are willing to buy the food). But then you have their health issues, and long term commitments. That is where there are certain exceptions to the rule. There has been a few cases, where the teen has kept up with the commitment and has even to fight with their parents, to get medical attention, food, etc..My teen also has a glider, however; she knows if ANYTHING happens, she can get her glider to a vet, (cost is not option), she knows if she loses interest, I will revert to the ownership. We DON'T see this as a general rule. The few kids I have seen that have been able to maintain over the years, mainly have been homeschooled kids, or kids whose parents are actictivly involved. The other end of this is gliders dying, being sold, neglected etc.. which I am sorry to say is a VERY large number. We also have a woman here who is activily involved NOW with a glider she had bought for her young child. She had stated many times, that had she of done her research PRIOR to the purchase, that she would have never bought him for her child, But she is assuming the responsibility and enjoying it. Many times, a young person emails me and wants me to talk their parents into allowing them to have one, I ALWAYS suggest the parents research WITH the child, and be aware of the responsibility and the downsides. I commend Hanna, for the care she is giving daisy, but I commend you even more, for KNOWING and ACCEPTING that you may have to be the one to care for her. You obviously have also done your research, that in it's self is vital..

Follow Ups:

• B, also..that 14 year old(If she's who I think you mean).. Kim 14:26:44 05/21/2000 (0)