Ugh...bad schedule

[AParrotPerson12]

Okay, most of you will be surprised at this if you've seen me write posts before...but I am really just a kid. I try to sound older so I am respected, but now I feel as if you guys who've been here for a while know that even though I'm just a kid, I do take owning a TAG very seriously. I also do have my parents here who also take care of our bird (well, really only my dad because my mom is not really an animal lover). I have two sisters who, although they are younger than me, are able to do simple jobs such as changing the food and water and holding Alex under supervision. Unfortunately, they do not show at all that they love him. I have to force them to do anything for Alex and when they end up not doing it I feel guilty and do everything myself. I've been trying to deal with it because I love little Alex so much, but I've reached my limit! I probably would not have gotten a bird if I had known that I would be left to take care of it myself...I'm just a kid. My dad helps whenever he can, but he works until nighttime. On weekends he takes care of Alex a lot but I do everything in the other 5 days. I know it's worth it for my TAG, but do you have any ideas on how I can get my sisters to help out more?

[Greymom721]

Who wanted the bird????
If you want to be taken seriously and treated with respect...honesty would be a much better policy. It is a sign of maturity....it is a respectable value. As you stated your sisters are younger than you...if you need to be a kid they must also need to be kids. Having a TAG is a HUGE responsibilty...maybe you need to be grateful that your sisters help you at all...and that your Dad does most of the work on the week~end. I don't mean to sound really harsh however, I hate to think that Alex has to pay the price for this lesson in maturity. Most of us did A LOT of research about our fids before making a lifetime decision.

[Beaks]

I will tell you just like my dad told me when i was a kid with my first big parrot.

Just do the job and be done with it, You can't depend on someone else to take care of your business and 1 bird is nothing to take care of.(you know what? he was right and now i know that hard work makes you a better man and to have a reason to work hard is a bonus that will pay off in more ways than you can imagine both now as you interact with your bird and later in life as you grow old together)

When i was 10 i was helping to care for over 65 rabbits, 1 hog, 60 chickens, and cared for between 70 and 120 pigeons and my other pet birds along with cutting wood for the heaters going to school and working in my mothers store.(I whined about it but i did what needed to be done and now looking back at it all i wouldnt change it for the world because hard work made me strong and created in me the dedication to do what i am doing now)

Just suck it up and do your job it's not the birds fault you are bored and tired of caring for him but it is your fault that you told your dad that you would do it.(follow through with your commitments that is how you will gain the respect of anyone that matters and instill a work ethic that will carry you through the rest of your life)

Get-er-done

John

[The Outlaw]

John:

That was excellent advice. Well done.

THE OUTLAW

[Beaks]

Originally Posted by The Outlaw

John:

That was excellent advice. Well done.

THE OUTLAW

TY

Hard work never hurt anyone but it sure has created some strong dedicated people like the ones that founded this country or the people that work 18 hours a day plowing and picking so we are able to buy what we need at the stores instead of busting our hump like our parents and grandparents did in the cotten and corn fields just to have enough food to eat at the evening meal(I have tons of respect for farmers because i have been there and know the score first hand and how hard a life it is)

Caring for your bird is no different to me, It's a job and just like any other it is what you make of it good or bad except it's a job that when all is said and done and you turn out the lights for bed you can have pride in yourself knowing that you have made a difference and made a better life for someone other than yourself.

John

[Monica]

First off, I'd like to say that I am only 17. I have been into birds for about five years, and started out with one budgie. When I first got into birds as pets, I knew nothing how to care for them (didn't do any prior reading on the type of bird I'd like, nor did I choose to get a bird, though was given a small bird cage for a b-day gift, and a couple months down the road, added a bird that I knew nothing about). I spent the next 2 weeks on the comp, nearly 24/7, reading as much information that I could, even on breeding (though I had no intentions on it).

For the first couple of years however, I found it troublesome to make sure that they had food and water. My birds back then didn't enjoy eating anything other than seed and bread. I knew though that if I kept it up, and if I could get the birds to eat fresh greens, in the end it would be far more rewarding to me to have them. Around that point of time in my life, I was miserable, and had been for years, so to have a little budgie or two made my day.

I kept to the feeding and caring of the birds over the years, and now before I leave the house, I make sure that the birds have atleast food and water, and once I get back home (usually from school, or just later in the day) they get fresh foods. I have found the entire care of these birds far more fascinating than troublesome as I just kept to it, and I'm a person who usually hates routines.

From the time that I had started school, to the time I was around 14, I had lived so much of my life in missery till that point, that I took towards nature to keep myself from such a depressing life. Actually, since I've been able to crawl around in the yard, I was always exploring nature, so I guess I can say I never really quite had much of a chance to be a kid, so ended up being more mature in the end.

Your sisters sound like they want to be kids, and maybe you, for some reason or another, would rather be more mature, so it really sounds as if this bird is in your hands, with the help of your father on weekends. That in itself is great that he can help you care for your bird! I have 6 at the moment, a cherry head conure, a cockatiel, 2 budgies, and 2 bourkes. I am the only one who handles the budgies and the bourkes (they are more aviary type than pet). My mother will occasionally handle Casey, the tiel, though is too afraid to handle Noel, the conure. I have a friend who may occasionally handle Casey or Noel (usually Noel more to see if he can create a bond with her). On the most part however, I am the only one who cares for and handles them. Saying that you are taking care of a larger bird gives you more responsibility, especially one such as a grey who may be more mentally emotional than a conure or smaller bird, though I've had my fair share of difficulties. I was only 14 when I received Noel as a biting, screaming, mutilating bird, and to tell the truth, I was completely unprepared and unable to figure out for myself what I needed to do that I could do, so like you, I have gotten plenty of help over the internet.

You care... Does that not say enough?

[Rue]

You didn't mention how old you were! Or how old your sisters are!

I find that it often helps put things in perspective to put yourself in the animal's place. If you were a bird, what would make you happy? How much effort would it take your caregiver to look after your needs? Probably not that much all told.

Then make yourself a scheduale to help fill the bird's needs. List daily essentials - such as food and clean water and what time of day feeding and watering takes place (and also out-of-cage time). List other not-as-critical essentials, such as cage cleaning - should be done everyday, but if you miss a day here and there that's okay (as long as you don't do it too often, or showers 2-3X a week, but even if you miss a week, it's okay) and finally list the monthly chores (ie. wash the entire cage)...

...you'll find it's likely not as bad as it currently seems. We have a houseful of animals and chores are divided. I'm the overseer! I take a quick look around every morning and evening to make sure every critter is looked after. Personally I look after 'my' three birds, the tropical fish and the snake. My 13 year old daughter looks after 'her' five birds, 2 anoles, feeds the 2 housecats in the morning, and looks after our two guinea pigs and the goldfish (which also get fed 2X a day). She also does barn chores several times a week which include feeding the horses...(2X a day)...she has it all streamlined, and it doesn't take her more than 30 min. a day to look after the daily essentials (that's not including the horses)! Her 2 budgies are out of the cage when she's doing homework or watching TV or relaxing with a book. I take the pionus with me around the house. I have various stands and places where he can sit. This way I'm spending time with him, he gets to see various rooms, and I still get my work done - with no 'extra' time required. He's a wonderful companion.

...my 10 and 15 year old sons also help look after animals - the 10 year old feeds the dogs and since the snake is in his room, he does lights and checks her water, the 15 year old does a great deal of the barn chores - which includes stacking bales.

I went into this much detail (sorry if it's TOO much!) primarily to help you see that it's certainly doable - especially with only the one bird, although I realize that TAGs might need a bit more time. Don't panic about it...relax and enjoy the process...because the process is an integral part of pet ownership - and you'll get the most out of your relationship with your bird that you can!

Good luck!

[paultheparrotlover]

You are a kid. You don't have a full time job. You have PLENTY of time to take care of your bird. You can let him out of his cage while you do your homework. Why does your dad take care of the bird on the weekend. You should have MORE time on the weekend. What after school activities are you involved in? PErhaps you have too many. Remember, this bird is possibly going to be with you the REST OF YOUR LIFE.

[AParrotPerson12]

I never said I would just stop taking care of him! I will do ANYTHING for my Alex, I just wanted to know if there was a way that my sisters could help out more. I'm sorry if I came across as giving up, because there is no way that that could happen. And to the first post, Greymom721...I never lied about my age. I just didn't think it would be smart to tell everyone how old I was before you knew that I take owning a bird seriously. If you all knew that I was a kid, wouldn't you answer my previous posts differently? I just chose this time to let you all know that I am a kid, and it does get overwhelming to have to take care of a bird alone (not saying that I won't) when you have hours of projects and homework everyday, religious school 3 times a week for 2 hours each time, and softball games twice a week. I know you all have crazy schedules too, but I wanted your advice on how you dealt with it. Dont' think that I've given up on taking care of my bird just because I have a busy schedule! I HAVE been taking care of him, I just wanted to see if I could get my siblings to help out more. I will NEVER GIVE UP on my birdie. NEVER. My dad and I and my sisters researched for 6 months before we got our TAG, and my dad has previous experience with pet birds. We visited bird stores and talked to experts. I've visited many African Grey websites and purchased several parrot books. My dad emailed back and forth with the person we purchased Alex from, because we knew that we had to make sure that the person we were buying from had healthy, happy birds.

I don't want you all to think that I'm just a lazy kid. I try my best at everything I do. I am a straight A student and all my teachers and coaches know me as the girl who will always finish a job she's started. That includes owning a TAG. I will make sure he has the best life he can, even if that means I must do most of the work.

Thank you for your advice on how to manage my crazy schedule...you all did really help, I just wanted you to know more about who I really am and how much I love my Alex.

[Beaks]

Originally Posted by AParrotPerson12

I never said I would just stop taking care of him! I will do ANYTHING for my Alex, I just wanted to know if there was a way that my sisters could help out more. I'm sorry if I came across as giving up, because there is no way that that could happen. And to the first post, Greymom721...I never lied about my age. I just didn't think it would be smart to tell everyone how old I was before you knew that I take owning a bird seriously. If you all knew that I was a kid, wouldn't you answer my previous posts differently? I just chose this time to let you all know that I am a kid, and it does get overwhelming to have to take care of a bird alone (not saying that I won't) when you have hours of projects and homework everyday, religious school 3 times a week for 2 hours each time, and softball games twice a week. I know you all have crazy schedules too, but I wanted your advice on how you dealt with it. Dont' think that I've given up on taking care of my bird just because I have a busy schedule! I HAVE been taking care of him, I just wanted to see if I could get my siblings to help out more. I will NEVER GIVE UP on my birdie. NEVER. My dad and I and my sisters researched for 6 months before we got our TAG, and my dad has previous experience with pet birds. We visited bird stores and talked to experts. I've visited many African Grey websites and purchased several parrot books. My dad emailed back and forth with the person we purchased Alex from, because we knew that we had to make sure that the person we were buying from had healthy, happy birds.

I don't want you all to think that I'm just a lazy kid. I try my best at everything I do. I am a straight A student and all my teachers and coaches know me as the girl who will always finish a job she's started. That includes owning a TAG. I will make sure he has the best life he can, even if that means I must do most of the work.

Thank you for your advice on how to manage my crazy schedule...you all did really help, I just wanted you to know more about who I really am and how much I love my Alex.

I don't know anything about your sisters but i can tell you about what made my sister help with what needed to be done... and the truth is nothing could get her off her butt to help do anything short of dragging her to the barn and making her do some work and most of the time she would dissapear as soon as i turned my back.

You cant rely on anyone but yourself if you want to make sure the job is done and done right because if someone doesn't want to do it you cant make them and the harder you try the worse the situation gets.

Talk to your dad and see if he will ask them to help out a little, that is your only other choice.

Also being a kid is no excuse for not being able to handle the care of a grey. when i was 4 years old i had a wild caught amazon and i HAD to take care of him because nobody else could get near him to even feed but it was my job and my friend so i took care of business.

Make a list of things that need to be done daily and assign times for them, when it's time to do them get right on it so you will be able to finish before the next task comes up (manage your time don't let your time manage you and you will do fine without anyones help)

If you need a day off ask your dad if he can take care of getting you some help (thats his job)

John