Originally Posted by dotcomdtcm
Sad update:
I guess we are not getting kittens. My son (31) who does not live with us has complained loudly & bitterly. He has allergies and says he will be unable to visit his "childhood home". Many unpleasant conversations later. ..Son says we will make him sick and ruin holidays and visits. Conflict escalated. Daughter is devastated but will not adopt the 2 kittens she found, under these ircumstances.Maybe I'll let her have a puppy. But that would be a lot more work for me.
OY VEY- as we say in NYC... Thanks for sharing.
At the risk of jumping in where angels fear to tread -
1) How often does your son visit?
(If once every two years for half an hour, I would be tempted to tell him that "I am entitled to live my life as I choose" - there are also medications that people can take before going into an environment they are sensitive to)
(If he comes around for several hours twice a week - then I might be more willing to rethink the issue)
(Is he just plain jealous of your daughter?)
You could always visit HIM at HIS place - or do your gatherings at a restaurant or hotel (if you could afford to do so)
2) Some people are also allergic to dogs.
3) What is DS's usual behavior?
(Don't need to know any of the answers)
I consider animal ownership to be similar to smoking -
Example:
I am very anti-smoking - but if I'm visiting a person that I like that I KNOW is a heavy smoker - if that person smokes in his/her house, I can choose to do one of several things.
1) Not visit in that person's home
2) If I do visit in that person's home, I will keep my mouth shut - even though I will probably take a shower when I get home and put on clean clothes
3) Meet at a restaurant
4) Have them visit at our house - but any smoking will have to be done outside - and I will put up with the stink when they come in
5) Find a new friend
Same with animals - in many cases the relationship is more intense than parent/child. Love me, love my cat sort of thing.