UGH!! Facebook!!

Ok, I really like Facebook for the most part. I'm in contact with some relatives I never would have known if it weren't for Facebook. But SOMETIMES. There's this girl, I really like her, but she doesn't get cats or something. Which is weird, because she had two of them. Anyway, a while ago my status message was about Wil being sick. She said "You be careful! Those stray cats carry diseases!!" I ignored it. I wake up today, get on Facebook. My status message was "Playing fetch with the little cat!" Her comment was "those cats are not going to like a new baby in the house! I hope they don't have claws" Oh. my. god. So annoyed. One of DH's friend left this huge comment after her about how they would be fine, it was really nice. Then I commented "I know I'm a little silly when it comes to my cats, but I'm not naive. I know the dangers of cats and babies. No, the cats won't be happy, but they'll get used to it. I'm strongly against declawing, so they do have their claws. But I promise, the baby will be safe from the cats." I suddenly feel very attacked by people to get rid of my cats or something. Which is stupid, because I think she's the only one who's made a comment. People need to understand, I have feel I have just as much responsibility for these cats as I do for the baby I'm bringing into this world.

OMG.

If it helps you any, I can tell you that I have a niece who is about 11 months old. I lived with my brother and SIL for about 4 months recently. My bedroom was in the basement, and although Holland was not really supposed to come upstairs, I brought her up when my brother and SIL were away for any length of time...

There were a couple times when I was babysitting my niece and would let Holland up. Holland and Payton were absolutely fascinated with each other. Holland is afraid of people, but she realized pretty quickly that Payton wasn't mobile and wasn't a threat. Payton thought that EVERYTHING Holland did was hilarious. It was SO cute to watch them together.

I have no doubt that you will always ensure that both the baby AND your cats are safe, and they will get to know and love each other with time. My cat is my baby, and if people ever implied that I should get rid of her for ANY reason.... well, let's just say me =

Well, I'm not worried about my cats and the baby at all. I'm annoyed by people telling me I should be.

I have always had cats, my cats came before my children and I have 3 children, my gosh the comments I got from people (apart from my mum who is as cat mad as me) was unbelievable. I was told my cats would suffocate the baby I tell you, some people. Well all my children are happy and healthy and all my kids are cat lovers. Yes the cats have scratched them on occasions when they were younger and they pulled their tails or annoying them but my kids have learnt from this and are careful not to annoy the cats now and they respect them. My cats are vey loving towards my children.
When I had Melissa (my first born) I went and bought cat nets for the cot and pram, my cats never bothered once. I have found on the odd occasion a cat to be asleep in the cot when the my babies weren't in there but thats just cats and closing the door so hey can't get in there is a good option Once I found Cookie my old cat asleep with Molly my youngest but NEVER have my cats caused any harm to my children, Some people really annoy me, tell her to keep her opinions to herself and good luck with your newborn when he/she arrives.Just give your kitty/kittieslts of love too as they do feel pushed out just like a human sibling would xx

Ugh, do I ever understand your frustration. You have more patience than I do doll. I REALLY have to bite my tongue sometimes with people, because although I understand that not everyone is as passionate about cats as I am, there is no excuse anymore to be ignorrant and naieve when it comes to how they should be treated. I have no doubt that both your kitties AND your baby will be just fine.

First of all I just want to agree with all of the posters above. The cats will be fine. I had 2 of them when I was pregnant the first time around. One of them insisted on sleeping in the bassinette, and later the crib (with no baby around). I don't think the cat actually ever got into the crib with the baby, both of my kids moved too much

I did have one slightly neurotic cat- when we had the second baby he was peeing on the oldest's bed. I have no idea why- he died shortly after beginning this habit. Never had a cat do that since.

And the one that liked to sleep in the bassinette/crib? His other favorite thing was to eat baby cereal after we were done with it.

I think the best part was having the kids grow up with a cat. That cat died in August of kidney failure. My oldest said (and she's 16) "Mom, I'm sad. I grew up with Mistoflees, and it was hard to see him die"

About the only thing I can say- is if the person's annoying you, you can unfriend them. There are times that I REALLY want to do this to this one "friend" I have- some person from high school that I haven't seen in 20+ years. Some of her updates are just annoying to me. But I'm too chicken to "unfriend" anyone- I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings.

Cheryl

I had a cat Pickles who after my oldest daughter turned 4 mths old and decided that the crib was good enough for her he would crawl in her crib with her to "protect" her. He was the most gentle cat in the entire world but FIERCELY protective over Maddi. If that baby cried or anything he would be right there ready to protect his "baby". He never once laid in the crib at her head or near her face but would sleep at her feet or just sit there and look out the bars glaring at anyone who looked in on her. I had that cat for about 2 yrs before I had Maddi and even the whole time I was pregnant he would lay on my belly purring like a motor boat and I swear that when Maddi came out she purred and meowed not one cry out of her!!!! I miss that cat!!

And if anyone thinks that people cant manage to care for a baby and the cats or be precautious enough to take the time to introduce them to each other slowly well then poo on them. Doesnt anyone ever worry that when the baby gets old enough to crawl it might hurt the cat? I always taught my daughters a healthy respect for animals and that they needed to learn kitties do have claws and that they should treat them with respect. I also made sure my cats had a healthy "respect" for a baby and talked to the cats and tried to explain to them that baby was good and gentle and not once did I EVER have to worry about my cats harming my daughters or vice versa.

My cats are not the snuggle type. Cammy for sure, is going to stay as far away from the baby as possible. She'll be happy I have another living creature to lavish attention on. Abbey's favorite living thing is Cammy. Neither one are the jealous type at all. Their biggest problem will probably be the crying. Which I'm sure they'll get used to.

People can be so ignorant. I've known many people who have chosen to get rid of a pet only because of getting pregnant. It's sad...

Declawing is illegal here, people still manage to live with cats and have babies.

When I got married and had our son, my mother refused to give me Peanut Butter, my orange tiger cat. She said that PB would scratch the baby, that he would lie on our son's chest to take his breath. All kinds of stuff. She even went so far as to give PB away to a friend of hers. I went over and took Peanut Butter home with me. None of what Mom said ever happened. He turned out to be a good friend to our son and he loved the kitty.

As for the crying, well, when my son would start to fuss, Peanut Butter would start to meow, too. I think he was telling me that the baby was crying and would I please do something to stop the noise.

Cats and children have been raised together for years. Your baby will be just fine. (But you already knew that.) If need be, by all means, block the person on FB. You have enough on your mind without having to go through that.

People can be ridiculous at times. I grew up with cats! My mom tells me I had a little kitty who used to sleep with me in my crib and all. Its no wonder I <3 cats so much. My niece has been around cats since day 1 and shes 12 these days doing just fine as am I. When I have my own kids they will also be around cats as I have 4 which the oldest is 5 so they will definitely be around when i decide to have a child. Im sure your baby and cats will be PERFECT.

Gosh I hate people like that.....

If anyone on my friends list said anything like that on my wall i would send them a pm asking them not to talk like that in future, then if they didn't listen or take the huff they get blocked!.

Can you tell i've done it before?! It's never been about the cats, but it's still been something that's rattled my cage

Originally Posted by kscatlady

Well, I'm not worried about my cats and the baby at all. I'm annoyed by people telling me I should be.

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Why even have this person on your list? get rid of her.

I hate facebook. I use it only because my nieces and nephews do, and I like keeping up with them. But I have removed all other "friends" because I am not into all that farmville and other kinds of spam stuff.

People I know from forums I can talk to in the forums. People I communicate via e mail I can talk to via email. I don't need some random person making objectionable comments to me. Bletch!