My three year old is kind of cruel to our kittens. She carries them upside down, by their necks, pulls their tails, pokes their eyes, throws them, hits them and screams bloody murder when someone tries to correct her behavior, is this normal or do I have a future Ted Bundy on my hands ?? Yet, no matter how she treats them, those darn kittens snuggle her when she is asleep....maybe the kittens have physcological problems , too ?
2007-06-03 11:01:40 · 25 answers · asked by misfit 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
Your child is perfectly normal. She is showing them love the best way she knows how. That is why the kittens keep going back. They understand she doesnt mean to hurt them. We have this very same issue with my son and all you can do is tell her no and show her the right way to pet and love on them. Its taking forever but slowly she will get the idea and stop hurting them.
2007-06-03 11:48:30 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Children,(especially 3 year olds) are sometimes like that because they don't understand the concept of "kittens are living things" and that hurts. Some animals sense a child's innocence and inexperience so they still want to snuggle with your 3 year old. I would worry if the behavior continues into older age and becomes more calculating with the cruelty. For example if she thinks of ways to put an animal in a painful situation or thinks of more creative ways to hurt the animal. That won't neccessarily mean she will be a future Ted Bundy or anything but could indicate problems and definitely might hurt the animal or animals involved. I would watch as the kittens get bigger and stronger that they don't hurt your baby girl out of frustration, especially by biting because cat bites are known to be extremely infectious and problematic when their teeth break the skin. And don't give up on correcting her when she does those things to the kittens. Her screaming when you correct her is a way to try to get you to give in and let her have her way, which accepting the behaviors might increase the behaviors and continue them. And i'm not trying to say your accepting of the behaviors. Hope it helps.
2007-06-03 11:17:44 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You need to stop her from doing that. So what if she screams and throws a fit! It's totally unacceptable behavior and you must stop it. If she has seen the mother carrying her kittens by the neck that may be where she got that one, and upside down is sort of natural - a little kid doesn't really pay attention that well, but the other stuff is pretty mischevious.
Not to make you paranoid but animal cruelty in young children can be a sign of molestation and abuse. They take advantage and hurt something smaller than themselves since they are being hurt.
2007-06-03 11:10:24 · answer #3 · answered by PK211 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
It is normal, not nice but normal. A child this age does not realize this cat may be feeling pain. A kitten doesn't fight back real strong. You need to tell her no over and over again or keep the cats away from her.
She isn't any more likely to be a serial killer than anyone else.
2007-06-03 11:12:32 · answer #4 · answered by ~~∞§arah T∞©~~ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
While she does need to be corrected when she is mean to one of her animals, it isn't a warning sign of serial murder. However, if she continues to be cruel to them after you correct her and show her how to love on them correctly, you may want to ask her pediatrician if she should be checked for anger issues. She is more than likely just being a kid though!! And the cats will love her no matter what. I am having these same issues with my 21 month old.
2007-06-03 11:11:29 · answer #5 · answered by ¤¤Je§§ica¤¤ 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
she may scream bloody murder when you try to correct her behaviour, but how will she learn if you let her get away with it. she may feel that the way she acts towards the kittens are normal, so when she does this to them, you need to take those kittens aways from her and ignore her when she throws a tantrum.
and then when shes calm, explain to her how she should pick up and pet the kitties
2007-06-03 11:10:56 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
she's just being 3. My son was the same way when I introduced him to a yorkie puppy. She just thinks it's another toy....let's face it. All toys today do something. Sit down with her and help her understand hurting and how someday that kitten is going to scratch her.
Serial killers tend to kill other animals, your daughter is just being rough. The kittens will learn to beat it when they hear her coming. When she starts wetting the bed at age 10 and setting fires then worry.
2007-06-03 11:09:29 · answer #7 · answered by Dawn-Marie 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think a big factor in the future-serial-killer scenario would be INTENT. A 3 year old doesn't really understand how badly she could hurt them. Keep her supervised around them at all times and model good, loving behavior towards animals and you will hopefully avoid 20 years of prison visits in the future.
2007-06-03 11:08:43 · answer #8 · answered by Heather Y 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I used to be mean to kittens when I was little...I think their constant meowing annoyed me, and I assure you I am not a serial killer. Just watch her, if she starts abusing other animals or continues rough behavior with them to an older age, wets the bed to an older age, or seems consumed with the thoughts of fire or arson then you may want to seek counseling for her. Until then I wouldn't worry about it.
2007-06-03 12:01:25 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would keep an eye on your kid as she gets older and teach her that she can't do that. If your really worried you could talk to a counsler. Yep those are some messed up kittens. I'd be running the other way.
2007-06-03 11:07:51 · answer #10 · answered by Kitty91 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋