Parenting
Avoid Gazing into the Kitten’s Eyes — It’s a Trap
by Jamie Thompson
Updated: November 19, 2020
Originally Published: July 31, 2016
Our middle child has always had a great fondness for animals. At just three years old, she named her baby doll “Pony,” and since then, she has cycled through various obsessions with horses, cats, eagles, and most recently, owls.
Our eldest daughter, while not as animal-focused, spent her childhood persistently pleading for a family pet. Every time we visited friends with cats or dogs, both girls would spend the entire car ride home arguing that we absolutely needed one. Needed, as if they might simply wither away without a furry companion to enhance our family.
For years, we lived in rental homes that prohibited pets. And when we finally found places that allowed them, we always had some excuse to decline. Our lives were too unstable, the pet deposit was too steep, we had significant travel plans, and so on. We promised the kids that if we ever settled down in a pet-friendly space, we’d think about getting one. But until then, their incessant whining and begging would be futile.
Then one day, we stumbled across a video about sugar gliders. If you’ve never seen one, you’re missing out—they’re utterly fascinating and undeniably adorable. Our kids tried to persuade us to adopt one, but after some thorough research, we discovered they don’t make the best pets.
However, during our research, we learned that rats—yes, rats—can actually be wonderful pets. They’re smart, social, and if you can overlook their tail, they can be quite charming. Plus, since they can be kept in a cage, our landlord was fine with it.
Before we knew it, we found ourselves in the basement of Rat Guy Bill, just checking out the baby rats. Have you ever seen a baby rat? Adorably cute. The kids promised they would take excellent care of them, vowing to clean the cage weekly and ensure they always had food and water without needing reminders. So we caved. Two rats, named Maple and Midnight, came home with us that day.
And did the kids stick to their promises of diligent pet care? Sure, for about two weeks. Because, let’s be honest, promises from kids about taking care of pets often lead to disappointment.
The logical consequence for neglecting pet care would be to let them go, but we wanted to give our kids a chance to redeem themselves. Plus, Rat Guy Bill made us sign an agreement to treat the rats like family members. We couldn’t just abandon them; they were too lovable. So they stayed.
Eventually, we settled into our own home, and the kids reminded us of our earlier promise. We then pointed out how they had slacked off with the rat care (touché!). However, they stepped up their game and surprisingly became responsible rat owners. Drat. We tried to hold off for a few months, but those little creatures are persistent, and they had earned at least a bit of consideration.
So, without making any commitments, we decided to visit the local Humane Society just to peek at the kittens. We should have known better.
Kittens at the Humane Society are simply irresistible, and it’s nearly impossible to walk out without one. Even my husband, who was staunchly against getting an animal that would shed fur on our furniture, fell into the trap. An older black kitten purred and snuggled its way into his heart. I was willing to wait, but our animal-loving child had latched onto this cat—my husband was completely bewitched—so we brought a kitten home.
A kitten that our kids insisted they would take full responsibility for. They promised they wouldn’t complain about the cleanup. They assured us they’d sweep, vacuum, and handle the litter box without ever needing to be reminded. Lies, all lies.
And again, it’s not like you can just get rid of a kitten once it’s part of your life. They’re adorable, playful, and when you look into their eyes as they meow, you’re done for.
So, you create chore charts and set consequences. You remind, remind again, and then give somewhat stern lectures about responsibilities. You curse the cat when it inexplicably pees on your favorite backpack. (Why? Does it smell like the outdoors?) You lament the claw marks on your nice furniture and the constant need to lint-roll your clothes before sitting on the couch. You pray you won’t have to see the vet again after the first hefty bill. You grumble every time you leave the house and have to arrange for pet-sitting.
And then what do you do? You adopt another kitten, because the Humane Society has a way of pulling you in, and you can’t resist looking into those eyes.
I genuinely love our two cats, and I even have a fondness for our rats (we’re now on our fifth and sixth, by the way—they don’t have long lifespans). They’re sweet, soft, and cuddly. But I wish I had realized how quickly our kids would tire of the responsibilities that come with having pets. If your child wants a pet, be aware that until they can drive to the vet or clean up messes adequately, much of the work will fall to you.
As a cat enthusiast, it’s only a moderate inconvenience for me. But if you’re not keen on taking care of animals at all, hold your ground! Your kids’ pets will ultimately be your pets, no matter how much they claim—oh, I mean promise—that they’ll do all the work. If you don’t want a family pet, don’t let them charm you into it. Stay far away from the Humane Society, and whatever you do, don’t look any kitten or puppy in the eyes.
The cuteness is a black hole. And there’s no escaping it.
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Summary
In this humorous reflection on parenting and pet ownership, the author shares the pitfalls of succumbing to children’s pleas for pets, particularly kittens. Despite the initial excitement and promises of responsibility, the reality often involves parents taking on the bulk of the care. The piece emphasizes the irresistible charm of pets while cautioning against the adorable distractions that can lead to unexpected commitments.