Originally posted by Kirsten
Hmmm, interesting question...

So does my mother, but on the other hand, SHE cannot deal with the fact that I have decided not to have husband and kids and to live with my kitties instead.

Kirsten
I have the same problem with my mother, too. Many years ago I told her that I wasn't planning on having any children, and she always told me that I just haven't met the "right" man yet (like that makes the difference?!) She has finally realized that I am NOT going to have any human children, but still will not refer to the boys as my "kids".

As far as the rest of the family, they already know I am crazy!! Any time I send a card or note in the mail (and e-mail) I enclude the boys names. They all get Christmas gifts from us, they have their own stockings. All gifts that we give, are from the "family". If there is someone in our family that doesn't realize that we have fur-kids by now, they just aren't paying attention!!

I still stand by my decisions........my boys mean the world to my husband & me. I will take a dozen cats over a human baby.....any time!!

Besides, my mother & I are still at odds over the problems we had with Lucky. Many times she flat out told me......"he is ONLY a cat" (as in when he was very ill, she wanted us to "put him down" because we were spending too much money on his health.........don't even get me started on this subject! )

BTW Kirsten........don't ever feel that you HAVE to have children because someone is pressering you to do so!!