best breed for kids

Question
Hi my question is general, yet important. I have 3 children ages 11,7,and 4. I always had a cat growing up. I feel it is a great experience for both a child and an animal. My question is; "Is there a breed and or sex that tends to be better for a home with children?". I was an only child so there was only 3 of us in the house. It was calm and quiet. We had heymalain persian male. He was jusr as laid back as the house hold. Now my home is busy, loud at times. I would never want to bring an animal in the tends to be scared or private. My kids love to hold, pet and care for other peoples cats. I appreciate your time and help in  my search. Thanks so much, Kristin

Answer
Hi Kristin,

This is a great question. Picking out a new kitten for the household with kids is a decision that needs to be made carefully. Cats vary on tempament. I have a neutered Persian male that just doesn't want to have anything to do with the family. He just lays around and does his thing. I have other cats that are adoptions from the shelter that are true loves and will take anything you dish out and come back for more loving.
It depends on what you want. Do you want a cat that is basically a stuffed animal or do you want a cat that is totally a love machine?
If you want a love machine the best advice I can give you is go to a shelter. You want the kitten or cat that chooses you. To find this one you need to go up to the cages and place your hand near it but not on it. The one you want is the feline that reaches its paws out to you. It will try to grab your hand and bring it towards himself. When you find one that does that let it take your hand and see what it does. If he starts rubbing against it or licking it this is the one you want.
I have gotten my friendliest and happiest cats this way.
I also find that a neutered male is the easiest to get along with. Good luck with the search. Let me know what happens.

Ciao, Karen