My son is 8. He has been wanting a kitten lately, so we got him one. At first he was fine, but then last week. My son put the kitten in a drawer and closed it. He then went to school. It took my husband and I an hour before we found the poor kitten. When my son got home we grounded him to his room for a week and told him that he wasn't allowed to interact with the kitten until that week was over. The week passed and he took the punishment well. Didn't touch the kitten and stayed in his room even though at times there was a few tears. He was again fine with the kitten for a few days. Then yesterday he opened the bread drawer and let the kitten jump in and a little bit after that watched me close the drawer not knowing the kitten was in the drawer. We got to his school which is only a couple minutes away and he told me then that he forgot that the kitten jumped in the bread drawer and for me to please get the kitten out. I am honestly not sure if he forgot or not. He usually tells the truth which is how I found out the first time he did it on purpose. I have tried talking to him, I have tried grounding him, and I have even told him that he can't touch the kitten if he can't take care of the kitten. Nothing seems to be working. At least in my eyes and I really don't want the kitten to get hurt by going into drawers.
What should I do? I really have no clue. I have even been searching for a family to give the kitten to, but haven't found anyone yet and that would be my last option because I don't want to give the kitten away if there is something else that I can try. Can anyone think of something that I can do?
What am I suppose to do next?
Answers (3)
It should be made abundantly clear to your son that a kitten is not a toy, it is a living, breathing thing that needs food, water, shelter and love. It it just as much a member of the family as he is. Having to take care of a pet at a young age is a huge responsibility and requires commitment. If he cannot take care of it properly and continues to mistreat him, the kitten will become hostile and aggressive.
I'm not an expert, just so you know. I suggest making boundaries for the kitten, such as keeping it to a certain play area so as to avoid losing it. If after a while he hasn't learned to treat it properly, with care and love, it would be best to give it to another family.
I think it is time to give up and just give the kitten a new home or tell him to play with the kitten like you are hanging out with him tell him to pretend that you are hanging out with you and it probably work because im a cat kitten lover I really think you should tell him to let the kitten do his thang.
I think that your son believes the kitten is a toy, and he has power over the kitten like he's probably never had power over before. Either that, or he's actually just trying to keep the kitten safe from harm etc., but he's gotten the wrong idea. Make sure you enforce that the kitten does not like to be in the drawer, nor is it good for it. If your son keeps doing it, then you should probably tell him if he doesn't stop, the kitten will go to another home. If he doesn't even stop then, give it to the shelter or someone who wants a kitten. I hope this helped. (I am not an expert child behaviorist).