Thank youu very much all your replys have helped with what i needed answers to!
im soo exited already, i cant wait!

Just wanted to add to the forum on my own mix of cats and lively now 3 year old but only two year old child when our second cat arrived and we recently gained another.

So far have introduced a 13 week old kitten and a 2 year year old female cat to my young daughter with no adverse effects on either side....Lola the kitten loves my daughter but all contact between them was supervised and ground rules from start, it might seem unrealistic but you can teach a toddler to leave the cat alone when its looking for a quiet spot/sleeping etc.

The adult cat we got in January is far more wary, not used to children in any form but we have again set the rules i.e no chasing, let the cat have some peace and quiet - we made the dining room out of bounds for the child to give the cats somewhere to go to get out of the way but its amazing how they rarely seek sanctuary.

I feel we have a successful combination as put lots of thought into introductions and made sure we didnt get into chasing/shouting mode - my daughter helps me to feed the cats and makes pipe cleaner spiders for them and its lovely but we do do things together so I can keep an eye on her and always make sure there is a free exit for the cats to get some space!

When we chose our kittens from the rescue centre, we had about 4 weeks until we could collect them, so we visited a few times and took along a tshirt that smelled of us and our house - so they could get used to our smells and they could have the smell of their mother to help settle them into their new home.

Don't bother spending money on expensive kitty toys, they will find cardboard boxes, newspaper on string, and especially plastic golf balls much more fun! Same goes for beds in my experience - cats will do as they please, rather than as you please! A cushion in a dark corner, or near a radiator is most likely where they'll feel comfortable.

We have three scratching posts strategically near where they like to scratch furniture, which works quite well.

Enjoy!

Hello and welcome. I did research on cat breeds also as I have two small children (one is 20 months one is 3 1/2) and the top results for breeds that are good with children were Maine Coons and Ragdolls (I heard Birmans were good also, can't remember what others). I chose a maine coon, and before committing we went to see the kitten with the children. The breeder had small children of her own, and our kitten's mother was very friendly and went up to us and the girls to say hello.

One thing I've heard was to select a kitten that does not cling to you and cower, even if it may seem cute, but to select one that is too busy trying to explore things and jump around-this cat will probably be able to live with a loud child, as appossed to a kitten that is nervous. Our kitten didn't sit still very long, he was too busy running around, and was not phased by the girls. He's fantastic with my daughters, they are always picking him up and are a bit boisterous, but even if I try to rescue him he goes right back to them? LOL He cries at night outside of the girls room after I put them to bed.

So if going for a pedigree, I'd narrow down to breed and then see the litter and the parents to see their personality and choose like that. Good luck! (p.s. I hear boys tend to be more laid back than females in general, but I suppose there are always exceptions to the rules!)

One other thing to mention - Pedigree breeds do need rescuing from time to time too !! My two BSH girls we rescues, as were my friends (another two BSH girls) and having done my homework, I did manage to come up with several options before I chose Amber and Ziva.

If you find there is a breed that you think you would prefer, get in touch with the rescue site for that breed, and see what happens. As you say, you're not looking for something right now, so it may work out perfect timing (any good rescue will want to do a home check, as well as ensure that cat is healthy before adopting them out, which can take a few weeks if there is worming/spaying required) In the meantime, you can do your homework, and maybe get to meet others of the same breed whilst waiting for your fluff-ball to come along

Have fun with it all x