So....Who remembers getting a Goldfish as a pet when they were a child? Probably lots of people, and the likelihood is that parents have probably given their children one as a first pet. Now there is nothing wrong with that. Goldfish are pretty easy and cheap to look after. I had several as a child and have many fond memories of my pet goldfish, although as an adult and a busy mother I struggle to recall their names.

However, I won't be getting my child one...ever. If he wants to buy himself when he is older then that is up to him, but I won't be doing it and here's why........

Reason Number One:  I have two cats and for the most part cats and fish don't mix very well. Ever seen Disney's Lady and the Tramp where the two Siamese cats start 'playing' with the fish. I would rather than never be a real life scene in my house, thank you very much. I don't want my child to be emotionally scarred and traumatised when he finds our cat Shadow has his pet goldfish in her mouth. It's bad enough when she brings home wild birds and mice into the house and we have to try and get them out alive. My older cat Missy is rather tame and obedient, but Shadow is a wild rebel.

Reason Number Two: Goldfish do not tend to live very long, about three or four months in my experience. I remember as a child the heartbreak it would cause me each time one of my fish died, it was a harsh lesson to learn as a young child - Death of a beloved pet.

I've like to avoid that repeated cycle of pain. Now obviously we have two cats that will eventually pass away and we've experienced the death of family members. But thankfully those deaths are few and far between and therefore give the heart time to heal. With a goldfish, you finally get over the death of your old goldfish, start to bond with the new one, and before you know it you are begging your mum or dad to bury it in the back garden.  Instead of flushing it down the toilet like my father used to do. I also remember the time my youngest sister asked if she could eat my other sister's dead fish, so I guess not all children are emotionally scarred by their swimming buddies moving on.

So there you have it, there will be no goldfish in my house. Unless my son wants one in his room when he is older. So long as he remembers to close his bedroom door......