Cat training/Runs away whenever downstairs

Question

Kairi in her room   Hi there!
I recently adopted a now 13 week old cat. I got her about a week ago, and when we got her, we put her into one of our spare bedrooms with the adjacent bathroom containing her food and litter box. We wanted to let her settle in for awhile before showing her the rest of the house.
However, I've wanted to let her go about the house on her own, yet still find her way back to the litter box. I've let her out to explore, maybe 15 minutes at a time, and I've led her back upstairs with a string on both staircases (we have 2 staircases). But it doesn't seem like she goes up to her room on her own, and we have a big house, so I don't really know how to train her so she knows where her litter box is.
Also, when I visit her in her room, or when I take her into a closed room, she's all purry and sitting in my lap. But when I let her downstairs, and as I said our house is quite large, she won't let me go near her. It's like she doesn't remember I'm the same person. She gets scared, runs, and hides under the couches and is then very hard to get her back upstairs.
Why is this happening? Any tips on how I can a) get her to know how to go back upstairs to her room and b) not be so frightened by me and other family members whenever she's downstairs?
It's downstairs only, when she's in her room she's all purry and rubbing up against our legs when we're there.
Thanks a ton!

Answer
Amy,

Kari sure is a cute one!!!!!!!!!

Kittens at that age have often been confined to one room or, if a shelter cat, a small cage. Also, at that age, they are used to staying close to their small home territory.  As they get older, their navigation skills improve. I expect, when she is out of her home room, she gets a bit disoriented and easily gets lost. Also, because she is unsure, she is wary of any people.  She will get over this. After all, you have had her for only a week.

What I would do is have another litter pan downstairs, and show her where it is. In time, she will figure out the house and will get used to having only one litter pan.  Thus, for now, you do not have to worry about her finding a litter pan when she is down stairs. Furthermore, when you are down stairs with her, you need to leave her be. Do not approach her, let her come to you.  If she thinks it is her idea to relate to you down stairs, things will go better. Also, fifteen minutes at a shot is not enough time for her to get her bearings. She need much more time than that. Once she is comfortable with her new surroundings, she will probably, happily follow you around. Make sure you give her treats whenever she does something "right", like follow you up stairs or come to you when she is down stairs. You can get some freeze dried treats at your neighborhood pet supermarket. Cats do much better with positive reinforcement of behavior than negative reinforcements. Yelling "no" or using a squirt bottle to influence behavior is not nearly so effective as treats.

Once she gets the hang of navigating the house, she will have a ball with all the stairs!!!!!!  Give her some time to adjust and she will be doing much better.

Best regards... Norm.