Oldest Child Syndrome

Like most people with pets, we consider ours a member of our family. Recently, we've been concerned that our cat, Zydeco, has developed a complex. His attention spotlight has faded drastically after the baby's arrival and to compensate he's been an absolute terror. If I'm holding Lorelei, he stares at me while clawing the carpet or the chairs. If I'm feeding the baby, he butts in, rubbing his face all over my arm or the baby. He likes to climb the door frames. He also likes to pretend to be the baby by jumping in the stroller and hiding, batting at her toys, and sneaking naps in the bouncer.

To his defense, I completely spoiled him and especially after moving to Michigan. I was pregnant and home by myself all day every day, so Zydeco became my constant companion. I talked to him, we had a daily nap time, he would follow me around everywhere. He was a good cat the majority of the time.

But ever since the baby came home from the hospital he's developed Oldest Child Syndrome. And like any child that wants to draw attention to themselves, our indoor cat decided he was going to runaway from home. This evening, Will, Lorelei, and I were out for a walk and came home to find a frightened Zydeco sitting on the front stoop. We didn't lock the front door and the wind must have pushed it opened. When he could have made a break for it, his moment of vengeance, our poor Zydeco learned that the world is a scary place. The cold wind was blowing and our little kitty was curled up by the door shivering. He was locked out. When we saw him, we thought he might make a break for it, but he jumped up anxious for the door to open. Maybe life on the inside wasn't so bad after all.

After dinner, Will and I settle on the couch while the baby snores in her bassinet and a very happy cat is nestled next to me, purring.