I am rehoming 2 cats, am I doing ok?

[twinklingfairy]

I have decided to give a new home to two 4 year old cats.
Their owners have to move and cut down how many cats they own, from 9 to 3.
She assures me they are lovely natured, cuddly cats just nervous until they get to know a person.
We have a 4 year old DD and a 2 year old DS, so she thought about which cats would be best for us, as a family, and we decided on the two I have taken.

My question is, am I doing right by them in settling them in.
It is very very early days, we only got them home yesterday evening.
They have both hidden down the back of the couch (there is a space of about 20cm back there). One has been out to see us this morning, even accepted a stroke. The shy one took the opportunity to eat and pee.
But since we arrived home this afternoon: I left them in the house, livingroom and kitchen open to them, between 10am and 3pm. They have not come out.
No, sorry, the braver one has eaten and used the tray but we have not seen the shyer one since 9ish.

I am reading that they should be given a room to themselves, but I just don't see how that is possible.
We have a 2 bed house, livingroom kitchen are connected. Where could they go. I read that we could put them in the bathroom, but I am not sure that is practical?
They also say, spend time with them.
But the braver one is now growling at me and DH if we peek a them. We leave them both to it generally, but figured we ought to show our faces now and again.

Am I doing ok?
I don't know how I could do any better by them.
Just looking for reassurance or any suggestions.

It's a case of time and patience ime. I know it is hard in a family home with young DC, but if you can put them in a room where there is the least noise and chaos it might help, although you will need to spend time in there yourself to get them used to you.

Evenings are when you'll have the most chance of success, when the DC are in bed and you and DH are sitting quietly. Even then it will probably not happen overnight. Just let them do their own thing, try and tempt out with smelly food - tinned pilchards are best ime, you can use the ones in tomato sauce having put them in a sieve and run water over them until all the sauce has gone (don't use the ones in brine, it will make them ill).

I adopted a cat once which sat for weeks on top of my hot water boiler. I ended up climbing onto the kitchen surface to feed her there (she'd only jump down to use her litter tray when I wasn't about). Gradually, she'd let me stroke her and finally I was able to take her into the sitting room. At first she ran and hid but in time came out and eventually approached me. Gentle encouragement and being sure not to make sudden movements or noise paid off.

You're doing fine, please don't worry. Your cats aren't neglected or suffering, you are doing all you can atm and they will just take time to adjust.

Thank you, for that
You just can't help but question yourself.

I am wondering though. Should I let he braver one, the Tom, out of the living room, so that he can, maybe find his way to the bedroom, where it would be so much quieter for him?
But then what would I do about the female one who is still hiding as far away from us as pos, behind the couch?

Leave them to it - when we got our first kitten he found an old hand bag and climbed
in that, wouldn't come out except to have a wee.

I can know not do ANYTHING without him sticking his nose into it.

They'll settle at their own pace - try to keep kids away for the moment though! When you get the chance just sit near them reading a book or whatever, let them come to you.