To want DSIL's cat locked in room away from DC

[onesleepyma]

My DSIL has no kids but she does have a cat, who is her absolute world. Because the cat is a rescue he can't be locked in a room due to his previous trauma (I think?) so always needs to be roaming free in the house. The cat also, from the times I've visited, seems quite reluctant to be touched, can hiss if you come too near. Quite an unfriendly cat. Also a very fluffy cat.

For Xmas we are all going to my ILs house, me, my 2 DC, DH, DSIL and the cat. My kids are 11 months and 2.5. DC1 isn't always going to listen to instructions like "don't touch the cat" or "don't come near the cat" and DC2 is newly walking, leans on furniture when walking so there's a HIGH chance that one of the DCs will be hissed at or worse scratched by this cat. The only way to avoid it is to be 24/7 watching, not sit down for a minute for me and DH. DSIL says leaving him at home isnt an option because " the cat to her is what my DC are to me" (her words). locking him in a room, even for just xmas dinner so i can eat, is "cruel". The parents wont address it because DSIL is sad that shes single and this kitten is making her happy so they dont want to disturb that.

we are there for 2 full days, 3 nights. DH wont address it for similar reasons that PIL wont.

If I was the SIL I’d spend the whole day on edge for snarky comments from the OP.

This! I think you are being precious. I’ve had over ten cats across 30 years and volunteer at a rescue. Antisocial cats will not want to be round lots of people especially children and noise.

how do you teach your children to stay away from the stairs, fires, hot ovens?

the cat is like an unknown dog, or a pond, there are dangers in the world and you teach them to stay safe and the consequences of taking risks.

Yes, there are definitely more losers than winners here, but at least the cat’s better off this way!

TBH I prefer my cats to most other people, and we will be spending a peaceful Christmas together!😆

Great update, OP.

Wait is your sister in law taking her cat to her parents house?
Is she staying with them over the festive period?
If she’s only going for lunch the cat would be much happier left at home.
The reality is that the cat will probably remove itself from the situation and find a bedroom to hide in.

Just read your update.
The cat will be much happier at home in its territory where it feels safe without your sister in law than it would be in a strange place full of strangers with your SIL.
Your SIL was thinking about her needs not the needs of her cat when she decided to bring it.

Don't stay; you cant accept an invitation to someones house then make demands what they do with their pets in that house. If you're not happy with the kids being in the vicinity of the cat; don't stay long. Go home after a while.

More importantly...

DC1 isn't always going to listen to instructions like "don't touch the cat" or "don't come near the cat" The only way to avoid it is to be 24/7 watching....

Parenting... this is called parenting; you will have to parent your children. God forbid

You are such a drama queen. Do people seriously act like this in real life?!
A good result for the cat to stay home because they don’t like being moved about, but you just sound so snarky and dramatic.

When I was little my parents adopted a bitey, scratchy cat. I soon learned to give her a wide berth otherwise I'd be on the wrong end of a swipe or nip. It taught me to be respectful and didn't stop me loving cats

It's a cat not a pterodactyl. Either you're daft or you simply hate the SIL and are going to make a point of this.

You sound rather ridiculous op. Also, your children are dh's children too, you don't get more say over where they go than he does. I think you are just determined to make a big deal and drama out of this, it has nothing to do with your children being safe.

From a cat 🤣