BellaOnline Forums Relationships Married No Kids Parents sudden interest in "grandcats"?

My husband and I have had two of our cats for almost five years, got a third one about two years ago and recently adopted a kitten. My parents, who are not cat fans, never had much interest in the cats. When they visited recently, they all of a sudden were very focused on the cats. My mother took all sorts of pictures of the cats and were very pleasant to them. My mom kept calling them the "grandcats" and the kitten "the baby". I was honestly kind of annoyed. Like they were trying to give me a hint.

Today, on the phone, my mother was telling me how she was showing the pictures of the "grandcats" to her friends. It clicked (whether I am right, I don't know) that since my brother just had a kid, I think my mom is afraid to leave me out, thus the number of pictures taken of my cats and the fact that she plans to make a collage of the cat pictures.

Don't get me wrong, I love my cats, and I am glad that my parents are not pushing for me to reproduce. But I have to admit, this sudden interest in my cats seems so strange!!

Be glad, she could be like my Mother.

I have always cats however when I lived at home I was only allowed to have ONE cat. Well as soon as I moved out I got two cats and at times have had three.

I love them to death, I carry them around like they are babies and rub their belly and talk to them like they can understand me. They have toys and even a stroller that two cages fit on so we can take them for a walk OR use it too take them to the Vet rather then carrying the airline carrier.

My Mother thinks I love them MORE then I do the family. I don't have the heart to tell her that I do because they are nicer to me then the family.

My Mother sort of likes animals but has always showed partiality to the one who is BIGGEST and laziest.

Hi Chaco

I don't know your parents, obviously, but could it be possible that this is their way of saying they have come to an acceptance that you are childfree and would like to show their support?

As it's a complete change of behaviour, it almost feels like that thing when someone either has an epiphany or starts to have a new and fresh viewpoint on things. For example, maybe your mother was bemoaning your childfree state to a friend, and the friend turned it round and suddenly made your mother realise there were many positives about it, and that it's all just OK. And this got your mother talking to your father and they decided to lighten up about it all and enjoy you for who you are?

Of course, I don't know all the ins and outs of your relationship with your parents, but from the outside this seems like it might be a gracious gesture from your parents and perhaps kind of nice?? Sort of like they have decided to make an effort? Or am I being naive and oversimplifying it perhaps...

Feebee

Lisa, I think my parents may feel similar to your mother. I never had animals growing up and as far as they are concerned they are a nuisance--which is why this change of heart is so interesting! I do think my mom thinks I love the cats more than family. The thing is that the cats ARE family--just not sure she truly understands that-regardless of the cat collages!!

Feebee, I hope that you are right. It is a complete turn-around for them. My mom tells me that she is supportive of our being CF and it did take many years to get to this point. We have not always had a good relationship so it is hard for me to tell whether she is just being over the top in an effort to show acceptance.

Chaco, I think it's great that your parents have finally accepted your choices. They are YOUR choices, after all. I have a difficult time understanding people who insist on criticizing the decisions of others, especially loved ones. I think it's so important to support people you care about! You didn't come at the decision to be CF lightly, and it's hard enough listening to total strangers insult you, let alone family members that are supposed to love you no matter what. They may be going overboard a bit but that could be because they are really trying hard to show you how much they care. Maybe they did have some kind of epiphany--you might never know, unless you ask them.