Sure does sound like the best approach to me. We are smaller, more delicate, and socially well adjusted companions (on our terms) with feelings that many–if not most young humans and many adults(?) do not understand. Stands to reason we should have the say when and where we interact and with who. As to me, I trust nobody unless they a) climb mountains for me b) feed me lots on my terms c) don't play with my mice too much and d) any other criteria I see fit to apply at the time using my feline instincts MOL
Toodle pips and purrs
ERin
PS I am not that swayed by treats unless I know the person, bring large samples, and references . . . Mrs H brought me upper proper, like ;)

Oh my, those mini-humans are pretty scary and noisy too.

Angel Hercule was so brave with kids : he always came to meet and greet, and just left the room if it was too much for him. He never bit or scratched or hissed at a kid. We are not so brave, and apply the following rule when mini-humans are in sight : run ! (and hide...) Purrs

Those kids tried really hard! Eric and Flynn would both disappear at the first sound of small visitors.

Oh Darlings! Give the kids some slack. They really really tried hard. XXXXXX

I think our cats have only met one kid (at least that I can remember). They did very well. We'll have a visiting baby in the house soon and it'll be interesting to see what they think!

No. Say no to kids. I'm glad I have my office to stay in when the sticky kids come. Once I did play a little with a neighbor kid TW called "Demon Seed" for some reason. She was nice.

The kids really meant well and it must have been frustrating for them to not get the interaction they were anticipating. I like what you wrote about approaching cats on their terms. That’s so hard to understand, though, especially for enthusiastic kids. I know Annie would have hidden. I’m really not sure about Pierrot. I really like how you did this post!

AMARULA: Bear, your fortitude is admirable! I will refuse to run when the human invites other dogs or cats in the house -- but a kid always sends me straight to the basement post haste! Frodo, the dunderhead, of course lets kids pet and hold him--idiot!! I love your idea of sending them in search of your sister. My suggestion would be that the time time the little "darlings" visit you should tie a brick to EM tail! That way she can't run! I have extra bricks if you need any!

Baby steps with babies of all species, right? Sometimes two energetic kids give off too much...umm...well, energy. It's hard to get them to be patient, but I have to get kids to wait until the pups are ready when they come visit. Outside on walks, they walk right up to them, but I suspect dogs and cats treat little people differently. Good luck at round two.

I agree with you about teaching kids the proper way to approach cats. There was a movement a few years ago (can't remember the name) that focused on teaching kids the proper way to approach cats AND dogs. I cracked up at the chain of sparkle balls (that WAS pretty smart), and the tons of mousies!!!! My Angel Bobo used to HATE kids (actually he hated anyone who didn't live in his home lol). Cody likes people but is NOT a fan of kids. I think kids make moves that are too sudden for cats and they are ALWAYS trying to chase them.

We've never met kids! I'm not too sure we'd like them that much. I get scared easily and Lexy gets annoyed.

Those sparkly balls would have gotten KaTwo's attention. Our 3yr old mini human visitor has finally gotten 3 of our cats to like her instead of just Joanie. Keep trying :)

Loved reading this. Can sense the fun in your post...

What adorable kiddos....I hope very soon they are able to have a pet...Pets teach children so much about unconditional love, responsibility and give them such joy.
Hugs Cecilia

We are sorry the meeting with kitty-loving kids/experts did not go better this time. We hope you will have more opportunities to get to know each other in the future, and that you will have fun together!

Gracie is pretty nonplussed about visitors. Ava always seems to disappear into mid-air!

What an adorable post, and a great lesson too about kids interacting with cats. Having so many cats with completely different purrsonalities in our house, I have cats that are afraid of kids and those that demand pets on the first meeting! Baggie and his brother Ollie, were all over the little girl, circling her feet and demanding pets. So I took that opportunity to show her how to give them treats and play with them. There were some that hid for the entire time and others who casually strolled back into the living room when they thought "she's alright" after all.

I find what freaks cats out about kids is their high pitched voices, and to them it probably sounds like an unfamiliar scary wild animal, who knows? I saw how shelters also have programs about kids reading to shelter cats. That must be a great way to get the cats familiar with their voices. Perhaps next time when kid1 and kid2 come over they can bring a couple of books and read some bed time stories to Bear and Ellie. I'm curious if the cats will be up for that lol Would love to see :-)

I agree with Chirpycats. The highpitched voice will scare off kitties. Although I thought the kids tried pretty hard and used great imagination to be friends with BC and EM.

Jean

I have found that cats that have kids in their household take on new ones (kids) with no problems. Cats who are not around children, look at kids as some sort of exotic (to be avoided) animal! Even dogs can be that way. When my kids were young, the cats could have cared less about new children. However, since the kids have grown and left home, the cats I've had since are scared of these anomalies!
Nellie was used to lots of people coming and going and traveling, she tolerated children, Marv has led a sheltered existence with very few visitors and and runs and hides when new people enter the townhouse.
I love that the kids tried!
Purrs
Marv

Sorry your visit didn't go as well as all had hoped. But, awnty Kat, purrlease, don't give up on Bear. Sis Lexi was traumatized as a young kitten and didn't really like meet and greets in her home. But, at the age of 11, she turned 'round and became a social butterfly. Mommy says the trick is calm and quiet. When we have company, she tells peeps to sit down and speak calmly and quietly. Then and only then does she retrieve us one at a time fur introductions. And yes, mommy does force us, but we're used to it. And yes, kids must be taught the purropurr way to deal with us kitties ifin we're to stay 'round once we have the chance to run. Ifin things go well, we just might surpurrise ya' and hang with company. Good luck. Big hugs

Luv ya'

Dezi and Raena

This is a cute conversation..

Yee Kok Siong

Hiya MK, BC & Em, oh my having little hoomans around is quite challenging, we know this because of the P.A.'s nephews aged 9 & 6, they love us so much but we're not so sure we feel the same, we love them when the P.A. talks with them on Facetime, but in real life **huge intake of breath** things are furry different - Amber hides under the bed and the rest of The B Team usually keep their distance. I didn't mind them at all as I was the most chilled out and Fudge is purretty laid back too, so at least they got to play with 2 of us last summer on their last visit! MOL [they live far far away in Peru].

Happy New Year!

Bestest Purrs

Wing Commander Basil & The B Team xox

My mom is like you, Momma Kat, whenever she sees a cat anywhere she just wants to go up to them right away and make friends and to pet them. She always offers her hand for them to smell first and she tries to crouch down to their height and take with a soft voice. I think kids in general take cats by surprise, 'cause they can have higher pitched voices, are excitable and unpredictable and tend to want to approach the cats up close right away without giving them space, as you say. There is a neighbor boy that reaches his hand in to pet me when Mom takes me out in my stroller. There are no kids at my house, so I'm skeptical and not sure what they're all about. Tee hee hee. I hope Bear and Ellie Mae didn't leave any sleep over the visit from the younglings. Winks.

We've had cats who love everyone, and cats who would hide anytime anyone came over, big or small. As long as they could retreat if they felt the need, we didn't worry about it too much.
Hopefully these two kids will get to meet some cats of the former variety, and won't give up! They certainly seemed like they wouldn't give up easily...some of the things they did with the toys were so sweet!
Jan, Wag 'n Woof Pets