I have been a bird mom to a lovely green cheek and patagonian conure for 13 and 10 years now. I got my g.c when I was 16 and my p.c when I was 19. Like most adolescents I was not thinking about the future. I love them both dearly and they have been the only consistent factor in my life over the years. But recently I feel like I am not being fair to them because they are both truly amazing feathered family members. I do not know if it is the stress of my life situation right now or what. I do not know anyone else who has birds so I was hoping to find some guidance here.
So let me lay it out a bit.
I am an early emerging artist, which has not been easy or had any financial stability. Four years ago I had an opportunity to move to Alaska from my home town of Indiana. So I packed up with the kids (birds) and we moved into a tiny studio for two years. The move was incredibly stressful on them, right after the move I almost lost my p.c to some sickness. After the two years we moved to Utah for a year and now we are in Montana where I am attending a graduate program. We have had to move 3 times in the past year which is becoming increasingly difficult and expensive with the kids. With in the past two years I have had to travel for training for a month here and two weeks there. Luckily I have an incredibly patient partner who has cared for them while I am away even though they do not care for him. My partner is currently still in Utah so I am finding sitters and such for my travels which I know is stressful on them.
I am doing my best for them, and I spend time with them every day. I love them and I cannt imagine my life without them but at what point am I doing them an injustice or just being selfish? Am I not being selfish? Am I horrible bird mom? Do we stick it out together in hopes my life calms down in a few years after school?
I guess I am looking for some guidance or support from other bird parents.
So let me lay it out a bit.
I am an early emerging artist, which has not been easy or had any financial stability. Four years ago I had an opportunity to move to Alaska from my home town of Indiana. So I packed up with the kids (birds) and we moved into a tiny studio for two years. The move was incredibly stressful on them, right after the move I almost lost my p.c to some sickness. After the two years we moved to Utah for a year and now we are in Montana where I am attending a graduate program. We have had to move 3 times in the past year which is becoming increasingly difficult and expensive with the kids. With in the past two years I have had to travel for training for a month here and two weeks there. Luckily I have an incredibly patient partner who has cared for them while I am away even though they do not care for him. My partner is currently still in Utah so I am finding sitters and such for my travels which I know is stressful on them.
I am doing my best for them, and I spend time with them every day. I love them and I cannt imagine my life without them but at what point am I doing them an injustice or just being selfish? Am I not being selfish? Am I horrible bird mom? Do we stick it out together in hopes my life calms down in a few years after school?
I guess I am looking for some guidance or support from other bird parents.
It is not at all selfish to keep your family together until it settles back down. That's what we all try to do whenever possible. It doesn't matter if your family is just you and a spouse, with human children, or with pets. We weather the storm until we find the harbor. That's being responsible.
