Okay more experienced people, how would you handle this one?
Kid is worried about a pet (an elderly cat) at her father's house. According to Kid, Stepmom has said that if the cat pees on the carpet again, she's going to have him put down. Kid is concerned that when she goes back to Dad's house, her cat will be dead.
Some contextual factors: the cat in question used to be my cat - I couldn't take him with me when I moved out because of no-pet rules in the new apartment. I wish now I'd pushed harder on that, but at the the time I thought it was better for the cat to stay in familiar surroundings with Kid and Dad. So I have some emotions about this cat.
Kid and I volunteer for animal-related charities and Kid is very concerned about kindness to animals and animal well-being.
I don't want to undermine Dad and Stepmom's authority by telling Kid that I think it's terrible to euthanize a pet just because they're getting inconvenient. However, I also don't want to give the impression that treating animals like this is fine by me. I don't know for sure what Stepmom said because all I have is Kid's account, but from the little I know of that household, Stepmom rules the roost and makes the decisions. It's possible Kid is misinterpreting Stepmom, but I don't want to dismiss her concerns.
How would you address this to comfort Kid but not stir up unnecessary drama with Dad and Stepmom?
Kid is worried about a pet (an elderly cat) at her father's house. According to Kid, Stepmom has said that if the cat pees on the carpet again, she's going to have him put down. Kid is concerned that when she goes back to Dad's house, her cat will be dead.
Some contextual factors: the cat in question used to be my cat - I couldn't take him with me when I moved out because of no-pet rules in the new apartment. I wish now I'd pushed harder on that, but at the the time I thought it was better for the cat to stay in familiar surroundings with Kid and Dad. So I have some emotions about this cat.
Kid and I volunteer for animal-related charities and Kid is very concerned about kindness to animals and animal well-being.
I don't want to undermine Dad and Stepmom's authority by telling Kid that I think it's terrible to euthanize a pet just because they're getting inconvenient. However, I also don't want to give the impression that treating animals like this is fine by me. I don't know for sure what Stepmom said because all I have is Kid's account, but from the little I know of that household, Stepmom rules the roost and makes the decisions. It's possible Kid is misinterpreting Stepmom, but I don't want to dismiss her concerns.
How would you address this to comfort Kid but not stir up unnecessary drama with Dad and Stepmom?
Comment