Sometimes it is a real toss-up for me as to who requires more attention, care and discipline—is it my kids? Or is the pets? Even though my kids are all in their late teens, they can still get somewhat needy and demand a great deal of parenting attention. Still, with three lively cats—one of whom who is still very much a naughty kitten—I wonder why I cannot figure out how to simplify my life!?
I confess that I am not someone who thinks that pets can be a substitute for children—there are similarities but it is not quite the same. After all, I give my cats fresh food and water once a day and scoop the litter box once a day—with kids, it is multiple meals and babies require endless diaper changes. My cats I can generally brush off my lap when I have something to do while my kids can force me to have to drop everything to tend to their needs. Still—the kids seem to be never-leaving and the cats are always there as well!
My kids no longer break lamps and knock over potted plants—but the cats do; and my kids definitely are not knows to throw up hairballs on the sofa. The cats, however, do not really talk back and their mess is generally pretty confined. It is a toss-up as to who leaves the most hair scattered about the house. With four long-haired family members and 3 furry friends, we could probably be classified as the house of hair.
I cannot blame anyone but myself, truly, however—I’m the one who chose family life and it just does not really seem like a “family” without a pet or two to keep things good and chaotic. It is just hard for me to know who is demanding the most from me on some days!
See Also: the PETS Blog and the PARENTING Blog