RC- no flaming, here. I am a reformed declaw-er, only recently. Monte, the latest to my herd, came to me in December. He is the first of many kitties that I am not declawing. I must admit, I was uneducated to the procedure. He is now 9 months old, and bad as he is black (no, that is not racial). But, his clawing is NOT his badness. With simple correction, I believe he is just perfect in my house with his claws. Like you, I, too, said, "...what is best for the whole household..." For me, it was not an educated statement. For me.

As to your household, size of lodgings, etc. I really think you could fit another kitty in nicely. I am not asking you to adopt fifty kitties, and I do promise I am not saying this JUST to get you to adopt another. Really. But, it is so much easier! It will alleviate some of your kittie's 'need' to play with the child.

Good luck.