We were gifted feral kittens who didn’t want to be touched or seen. When we welcomed them into our family we knew that it would be a process to build a relationship with them. We made their home in our bedroom and explained to the boys that when they came into the room they needed to be calm with their bodies and calm with their energy. Day after day the kittens hid from us under the bed and would only come out when we were sleeping or out of the room. Day after day, we allowed this. It was our job to create a safe grounded space for them to come to us but it wasn’t our job to press them on their boundaries of not wanting to be touched of seen.

Slowly, they started peeking out at us while we were in the room. They started to be curious and we held the same energy. We allowed them the space and time that they needed to feel safe. Then, one day, they stayed out when we were in the room. The next day they stopped running when we would stand up and walk. Over a 2 week period we earned their trust by being consistent and reliable and not pressing their boundaries.

Then, they started to touch us but would run if we made an attempt to touch them back. So, we respected their boundaries and allowed them to touch us but made no more attempts to touch them. Eventually, they started to come to us and purr, they started to beg us to touch them and love them and they allowed themselves to be part of the family.

I was speaking with my oldest son one day about the kittens and how it was a bigger life lesson than just the kittens. We spoke about how people are often not that different than these feral kittens. Sometimes, you need to keep your energy and your body calm, respect others boundaries and earn their trust and eventually they will allow themselves to be loved and accept that they belong with you.