TBH, if they were adult cats that you had owned for some time, I would not have bothered. But given that they are young and still quite new to you I think it is a very sensible idea. As you say your self, you would not be able to properly relax and enjoy your night out without this precaution in place.
Look on it as a dry run for future longer trips and a chance for cats and sitter to become acquainted.

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Nellie Paddy Mitzy Milo Peggy Murphy

Millie and Monty, the White Devils!

We leave our 7 month old kittens and their mother to their own devices some evenings. It's most likely they'd be out prowling even if we were there. We're out of the house from 9am to 6.30pm every weekday anyway, so a couple more hours don't make much difference. Currently they have a Xmas tree they love destroying to keep them occupied too

No, it's not strange, I'm the same I have family that will come and look after the cats, if I didn't have them or they couldn't do it, I'd use a cat sitter

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I agree with everyone,5 month old kittens need to be fed frequently.They probably would be okay if left,but,there is a difference between being "okay" and being safe and happy.Well done for thinking about their welfare

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I definitely wouldn't leave my kittens my kittens from 10am until after midnight. For a start they are used to being fed every 4-5 hours and leaving food down doesn't work for me - they don't eat it. I work 10 hour shifts and my son or my sister come in to feed and play with the kittens (my son usually stays with them for several hours).

I'd definitely want someone in for that length of time - your friends are the odd-bods, not you

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Harry: Ginger & White b. September 2002
Oscar: Black b. 7th May 2011
Kitty: Grey Tabby b. 7th May 2011

Our lovely cat family

I think it is a brilliant idea and well done for caring enough about your babies to make this arrangement. They are very young so you have been very responsible to ensure they are not left on their own for too long.

If your work colleagues laugh at you again, just ask them how long they would leave their 5 month old human babies alone for. That should make them put a sock in it.

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Thanks for all the replies everyone! So relieved to see I'm not the only one!

I just met the pet sitter for the first time - what a lovely lady she clearly loves animals, the kitties loved her and she'll spend a whole hour with them on Thursday afternoon feeding them and giving them a cuddle.

So glad I arranged it! Everyone wins - kitties get fed and cuddled and I get a worry free night out!

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Basil & Sybil

Not strange atall IMO.Reminded me of the one and only dog sit I ever did (a long time ago).
My boss had a German Sheperd that was quite viceous when out and about,so I was terrified at the thought.On arrival and once inside the dog was fine.Me boss showed me where everything was kept (it was the first time I had ever seen a VHS recorder in someones home!)
So,there I was going to live it up like a lord, Tv,fridge full of goodies etc.Could'nt wait for them to go out to get started.As soon as they pulled out the drive I got up and was heading for the telly (to switch it on)To my horror the dog started growling at me.Each time I tried to move off the settee he went mad.I stayed on the settee from 7pm till 1am (bursting/starving/scared sh**less till they came home (no mobile phones in them day either )
No I don't think your strange