Looking for any wonderful suggestions on making a good relationship between kittens and kids...our kittens are fab ...but I have a problem with my nearly 4yr old daughter who despite strong words, supervision and explanations of how delicate kittens are and that they are little babies that she could hurt if too rough is still being caught handling them not the gentlest. I don't let her alone with the kittens as I have caught her out trying to hug and play with them, not in a nasty way, just a child way. Don't get me wrong I don't have the child from hell but I just can't seem to get through to her how delicate these little babies are

Anytime I have spotted her being a little rough than she should be with them, I take her away from the kittens to her room or the 'naughty step' which works for everything else. Explain to her the consequences if she is to rough of the kitten being hurt and having to go the vet, even the possibility of her hurting it so bad that it might die (don't panic people she is not that bad...though hoping harsh words might have helped) or that if she doesn't behave then I have no choice but to find them a happier home (which I would be heart broken to do and don't think it has got anywhere near that stage).

She has never had small pets whereas my older daughter has and I never had this issue before, she's used to a bg bouncy black lab dog at my mums so delicate animals are new to her.

The kittens have never scratched her to say stop it, which in some ways I wish they would that way she might understand that she might be hurting them. She has improved since we got them a couple of weeks ago where she would chase them everywhere wanting to hold them, she does understand it's better to sit down and they will come to her, and she does love them....just wish I could get to her to be less full on with them!!???

__________________