The Beta Fish Lesson

Enthusiasm for your child's "firsts" in life can lead many a parent into some foolhardy situations. Case in point: purchasing two beta fish on sale for $1.50 each for two eldest daughters, two tanks (since beta fish cannot be together due to fighting), colored plastic plants in just-right fuchsia, ceramic mini- submarine, Dora mermaid, Eiffel tower, and " cave" so said-fish have an abode and learn Spanish while pretending to be Jacques Cousteau in Paris, pretty colored rocks, beta food, beta water conditioner, grand total $82.50. Oldest daughter's fish dies in 24 hrs, we explain it was a very old fish... And daughter cries periodically for months. Now mom has one remaining fish to feed daily and change water in tank every two weeks, because a mom with three children four and under has so much free time. Yes, when it is typed out like this, there seems to be so many obvious opportunities in this heinous decision matrix to have avoided the outcome, but hindsight is 20/20 and somehow I am certain we will experience deja vu, hopefully not with a dog, turtle, lizard or gerbil.