Thank you for reading this long post. I think I'm the one who is neurotic, because I react so strongly to my 11 week old kitten's meows or crying outside my bedroom door at night. It feels just like letting my babies cry themselves to sleep at night, which I was never able to do. I feel so guilty when I hear these pathetic meows, it breaks my heart. So I let him in, and I'm up all night.
He will not leave me alone when I'm in my bed. He wants to suck on my fingers all night or sleep on top of my face or stick his tongue up my nose. The first time that happened I burst out laughing, but it's not so funny anymore! Everytime I try moving him anywhere else on the bed, even under my covers, he comes right back up to my face. And if he finally does fall asleep it's usually pressed tight against me, only for about an hour at a time before his whiskers are tickling my face again.
I've tried following the great advice I've gotten here about not letting him sleep in the early evening so he will sleep at night, but it's almost impossible. If I keep him playing, he will literally fall asleep mid-pounce. (I'm not kidding.)
Unfortunately, getting another kitten to keep him company at night is not an option for many reasons. We tried letting him sleep with one of my daughters, but he also kept her up all night and she really needs her sleep for school.
I guess it comes down to this question. Will he be okay if he is left alone for 8 or 9 hours at night? Will he get neurotic or have to see a cat therapist when he grows up? Are we abandoning him? If I really believe he will be fine, then here is the answer I have thought of. Because he meows ouside our bedroom doors and bangs on them when locked out, I thought of leaving him in our home office that is attached to the house through the laundry room. We would never hear him. It gets pretty cold in there at night without the heat on, but at least it's inside. It's carpeted, with a couch, and I could get rid of the kitty litter smell each morning before any clients come. I see people in there during the day. It's sort of down to him or me because I'm a single working mom, and I get sick if I don't get enough sleep. And he gets more than enough love and attention during the day and evening. Will this make up for being left alone all night? Thanks for any support you can give!
He will not leave me alone when I'm in my bed. He wants to suck on my fingers all night or sleep on top of my face or stick his tongue up my nose. The first time that happened I burst out laughing, but it's not so funny anymore! Everytime I try moving him anywhere else on the bed, even under my covers, he comes right back up to my face. And if he finally does fall asleep it's usually pressed tight against me, only for about an hour at a time before his whiskers are tickling my face again.
I've tried following the great advice I've gotten here about not letting him sleep in the early evening so he will sleep at night, but it's almost impossible. If I keep him playing, he will literally fall asleep mid-pounce. (I'm not kidding.)
Unfortunately, getting another kitten to keep him company at night is not an option for many reasons. We tried letting him sleep with one of my daughters, but he also kept her up all night and she really needs her sleep for school.
I guess it comes down to this question. Will he be okay if he is left alone for 8 or 9 hours at night? Will he get neurotic or have to see a cat therapist when he grows up? Are we abandoning him? If I really believe he will be fine, then here is the answer I have thought of. Because he meows ouside our bedroom doors and bangs on them when locked out, I thought of leaving him in our home office that is attached to the house through the laundry room. We would never hear him. It gets pretty cold in there at night without the heat on, but at least it's inside. It's carpeted, with a couch, and I could get rid of the kitty litter smell each morning before any clients come. I see people in there during the day. It's sort of down to him or me because I'm a single working mom, and I get sick if I don't get enough sleep. And he gets more than enough love and attention during the day and evening. Will this make up for being left alone all night? Thanks for any support you can give!