Choosing a kitten

[endofweek]

So I've been thinking about getting a cat/kitten for a while and saw today the most beautiful boy kitten (9 weeks) which I would love to bring home.
He was very playful and active, healthy looking etc but I noticed he was quite 'scratchy' when I picked him up and when he played he used his claws a lot and my hand got quite a bit, well, scratched! Is this normal for a kitten and can they grow out of it? He did seem a bit overexcited at the time.
The main issue is that I have a 6 yr old dc so need to bear that in mind. Maybe it's best to get an older rescue... any advice greatly appreciated! X

I'm no expert but some cats don't like being picked up, especially if you're a stranger. One of mine hates it. Also, Jackson Galaxy says never to use your hands as a toy or you get scratched (true!). My 7yo has learnt when to touch and how but she got some scratches while she was learning.

Jackson Galaxy is an American cat expert btw. Sorry, forgot to explain!

They’re all scratchy at that age, you can discourage them and he’ll grow out of it

Get two kittens - then they scratch each other rather than you.

Generally all kittens are scratchy and bitey. To avoid this, I found that amusing them with cat toys tends to distract them. They grow out of it

Second the get 2 kittens advice. This is why most rescues only home kittens in pairs. Plus they have someone to keep them company when you’re out. Bet of both worlds!

2 kittens greatly reduces the risk of trashed soft furnishings ime. Those sharp claws have to go somewhere...
Better a sibling than your home/dc!! We had 2 from tiny and ds 3 bonded with them amazingly. Ds 10 now and dcat is currently sharing his pizza!!
Dcats love of human food will astound you op!!

I would also say get 2. Instead of being twice the effort I'd say they're more like 0.75 of the effort.

Kittens need LOTS of play for the first couple of years and a playmate means they don't look at you / the sofa / the curtains to provide all of it.

...but yes, they'll be a bit scratchy to begin with.

They actually grow out of it quicker when they have another kitten with them as they quickly learn that their play mate won't play any more of they're too rough.

Thanks very much for all your replies and advice Yes, getting two may be the answer.
This particular kitten only comes as one though as he had no siblings...
Is it better to get actual siblings do you think or would it make no difference if I got a non- related playmate for him?
(I am rather attached to the one I saw today!)

Kittens can adapt to new kittens better than if they're older like a year or something. Introduction is a lot faster esp if you scent swap too.

the Kitten Lady on youtube covers this situation as she fostered out kittens from separate litters and paired two for them up to be adopted together.