I have scarred my kids for life.....
By snoopy04
@snoopy04 (718)
United States
July 26, 2008 4:14pm CST
My mother-in-law is upset with me because my kids saw our kitten Tiger have her babies. After she had them my husband took them over there because she had bought some clothes for them. So my kids were telling her about the kittens and the experience. So she called me later and asked me why I let the kids be there when it happend. I said that Tiger had the kittens under the couch and that the kids didnt actually watch her give birth. Yes they did see the kittens right after they were born but we did talk about it and it didnt even bother them. I told her I was sorry they told her about but I dont think I did anything wrong. Now my kids are wanting our puppy Dolly to get pregnant so they can hac a litter of puppys running around. My ten year old daughter Erica saw a little bit of the birth but it was her decision. But my kids werent scared or freaked out by it one bit. They were upset over a totally different incident but thats in my next discussion.
I did talk to them and tell them that not everybody wants to hear about Tiger and her babies so they dont need to share with family and friends. Since they were able to experience the birth of the kittens they have become really close to them.
But have I done something wrong? I dont think I have but what do you think?
1 person likes this
4 responses
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
26 Jul 08
It's not like they were watching you give birth!(and as a side note I don't think that's wrong either provided the children are old enough, mature enough, and willing to watch...but I wouldn't do it!) Anyway, I don't see how it's "bad" to watch a cat give birth...and besides your kids didn't see the birth itself anyway except for the little bit your daughter wanted to see. So, your MIL has a problem with your kids seeing newly born kittens? That just doesn't even make sense. Were you supposed to lie to the kids and act like kittens are born all cute and fluffy? Ugh...that's just so stupid!
My 3 and 5 year olds were the one that discovered our cat having her kittens. Two were already born and laying on the ground (she was a first time mom and had no idea what she was doing) The other two weren't born yet. It was the boys that found them and alerted us. They helped clean up the new babies and keep them warm until the mother could take over. The first two were born within a matter of minutes and were both still wet when we found them, the other two came slowly over the next few hours. But the boys have been around them all from right after birth and they seem just fine.
1 person likes this
@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
26 Jul 08
I don't see why letting them view an animal birth would be a negative thing. If you have animal planet or discovery, they probably have already seen an animal birth.
1 person likes this
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
26 Jul 08
Your mother-in-law is completely wrong and I think watching the cat give birth was a great learning experience for your kids. My parents let us watch the cats and dog have their babies when we were young and, now that I live in the country, I know that watching livestock give birth is something that is attended to by many people, including children. Does your mother-in-law want them to believe that kittens come from cabbage patches? 
@Valenas (1507)
• United States
27 Jul 08
There is nothing wrong with that at all. It's the miracle of life! I've rarely seen anyone say anything good about the mother-in-law, with the exception of my aunt's. From seeing and hearing several opinions, mother-in-laws (MILs) just like to be right about everything, even if they're wrong. They'll disagree with you just to argue about something. Don't let her make you think that you did something wrong, because you didn't! I am glad that your kids were there to witness that, because the process of birth is very cool.
@snoopy04 (718)
• United States
27 Jul 08
Thanks I agree totally. My mother-in-law tries to take the place of my mom and it drives me crazy. Since I live next door to her she is constantly telling me how to raise my kids. She has told me on numerous occasions since my mom is deceased I need her to take my moms place. Well my mom would never tell me how to raise my kids and everything that I do wrong. She would give me some advice and leave it at that. If you dont agree with my mother-in-law or do exactly what she says she will get very upset and make your life miserable.
So I just try to get along for the sake of my husband.
My mother-in-law cant stand pets so to her this was a major mistake on my part but my husband agrees with me so thats all that matters.
1 person likes this
@Valenas (1507)
• United States
27 Jul 08
The next time that your mother-in-law questions the fact that you have pets, then tell her that pets are a good start in teaching children responsibility. Pets are living animals that need to be taken care of. They need to be fed at a certain time. Litter boxes need to be changed, and the backyard needs to be picked up. They always need to have water, and a good way of teaching children responsibility is to have them help out, or have them keep up with this. Also, I am glad that you try to get along with her despite how she behaves towards you. Just keep up what you're doing, and do it your own way, and do what you believe is right. Take care!
