Making Changes!!!

[cavinandhope]

Well as most know We are expecting a child in March. Well That means changes and well we had to put Stitch's cage in the kitchen. But we put his playstand in the living room where we will be. So what I am kinda getting at I was just wondering how everyone else did this. Is your bird happy with that arrangement. I wish I could afford one of those really nice tree like stands but they are pricey. I guess I will have to stick with the one I built out of PVC. You know something. I had someone ask me: "So what are you going to do with Stitch you going to get rid of him" Now aint that just wrong. I told them he was staying. Our child would grow up around him and learn what he/she can and can't do. Yea I know its going to be a pickle when the time comes when he/she is getting into everything but we will have to deal with it.

[Lindy1724]

Good for your guys about teaching your child what he/she can and cannot do around Stitch! So many people simply let their children run wild instead of keeping their eyes on their child while setting boudaries for them as well!

As for the cage placement, I haven't had that problem yet so I cannot say much on that.

BTW, I am calling March 24th as your baby's birthday, because it has always been a good day for me (My birthday is March 24th!).

Hope all goes well for you guys!

[Tiki]

Good onya Cavin for setting people straight about not getting rid of your bird because you are having a baby! It breaks my heart when I see people chucking out birds when they have kids. There is no reason they can't have both the bird and the baby. Just look at Ellie Mae and Meadow-what a perfect example of a mother teaching her kids how to grow up with birds! I am sure there are others on the board as well but those pics are just unforgettable with Meadow's sheer pleasure in her little Emily Quaker.

[Rue]

I've never understood that either...giving the pets away because of the baby...

...in fact, I've had Piper the longest of all my critters! He's been fine through the addition of all 3 kids...and we've had cats and dogs all along as well...

...there are times of course, where the baby is the priority...but it's not hard to fit the needs of the animals in around the baby...

...the animals might also get less time from you, but as long as the time they get is quality time (no laughing!), they do fine...

[Rowan123]

I totally understand not giving up your pet(s) with the addition of your child. My advice as the mom of an 18 month old boy is to never let your guard down for a minute. They move fast!

This is going to be a huge adjustment for all the members of your family and the needs of your child will always take priority. Just be sure to do your research on introducing the bird and dogs to the baby to avoid their feathers and fur from getting too ruffled and I'm sure everything will work out fine. Congratulations!!

[Topher]

Verde doesn't seem to mind where his playstand is- as long as it's within earshot of us... and his is portable. so we'll move it from one room to another if we know that we're going to be in one place for a while.
You shouldn't have too much trouble moving his cage/stand.

[birdyland]

I don't have kids yet, but I've had kids in the house.

Kids learn quick as long as you are consistant, and don't trust that they will always follow what you've told them, especially unsupervised. They WILL get curious, even if they know better. My cages are in the bird room which is a quasi office (never gets used, I think that computer hasn't been turned on in 2 years) and a piano. That room is gated off. The stands are in the living room, and all involved are supervised when the birds are out. We've taught any children visiting or staying at the house that if they want to see the bird, anytime, all they have to do is ask; and one of us takes them right over to see. AND we explain to them why they are not allowed to touch, and have given the kids discarded feathers, or let them touch Niki VERY carefully and supervised. They can talk to the birds as much as they want, and like I said, will be taken to see them closely ANY time they want, no matter how many times they ask.

Even if the child is very very young, if they're mobile, they get the same rules/talks/supervision. They understand more than most people realize.


All of this helps with the bird not being freaked out too....

[cavinandhope]

We have noticed Stitch sleeping at nite clinched to the side of his cage since we moved him to the kitchen. Now is that normal? What would make him do that. He used to sleep on a perch or his swing..

[kp_in_scott]

Both my Blue and golds sleep on the sides of the cage despite having several perches to choose from. For quite some time, Gabriel perched on the side of his food bowl. They choose to sleep where they choose to sleep.
Comment about people getting rid of their birds when children come along. You have to teach a young child not to touch the stove, or play in the street don't you? Gees.......
The reason that Seymour is with me now is that after the baby came along, he was banished to the garage. He was there for over a year, before she surrendered him to a rescue. Some of the noises he makes now sound as though he could hear arguing through a closed door. It's so sad, and no wonder that he has issues.(plucking, biting, phobic).