Your children and your too'

I just wanted to know how many forum members have children as young as toddlers. I ask because I have three kids, 9, 4 and 2.5. My youngest two are boys and obviously toddlers/pre k. My too Eva is naturally nervous around them, as they are loud and there's always sudden movements with them. Today I had Eva on my hand and I had my oldest boy give her one of her favorite toys. She took it at first and than she stared hissing at him. He looked scared and sad and I felt sad for him because he wanted to give Eva a little rub on her head. Will Eva ever be comfortable around my boys or will she always hate them and hiss at them. My boys love birds just like their mom, but it would break my heart and theirs if Eva is always on attack mode with them.

Also wanted to add it's only been a week since Eva joined our family and she is 10 months old.
Any advice?

Hi! Welcome to the forum [emoji4]

I think after Eva adjusts to being a part of your family, she may get used to some of your children... just don't try to rush anything.

I have a 3.5 yr old and 2 galahs.... One is hesitant but will allow supervised pets, whereas the other is an absolute no-no.

A lot of time and patience is the key here.... My son is hyper and gets excited about the birds, so his rambunctiousness is just terrifying for them.

You'll need to practice with your kids how to behave around Eva~ move slowly and quietly, and at first you can look but don't touch. She needs to be able to feel comfortable around them first.

She could also get jealous if she's decided you're her person and they try and interact while you're holding her- this could be why she hissed or she could've just been plain scared.

Maybe find a "super special" treat (like unsalted almonds or pistachios) that is used only by your eldest child (to start out) and he can give them to her to try and bond. (Yummy things = good things come from this person....yay!) At this point I would recommend he place the treat in her bowl or near her, just in case she decides to lunge at him.....as time passes and if they build a relationship, he can work towards handing them to her directly.

I hope this helps!

getwozzy said:

Hi! Welcome to the forum [emoji4]

I think after Eva adjusts to being a part of your family, she may get used to some of your children... just don't try to rush anything.

I have a 3.5 yr old and 2 galahs.... One is hesitant but will allow supervised pets, whereas the other is an absolute no-no.

A lot of time and patience is the key here.... My son is hyper and gets excited about the birds, so his rambunctiousness is just terrifying for them.

You'll need to practice with your kids how to behave around Eva~ move slowly and quietly, and at first you can look but don't touch. She needs to be able to feel comfortable around them first.

She could also get jealous if she's decided you're her person and they try and interact while you're holding her- this could be why she hissed or she could've just been plain scared.

Maybe find a "super special" treat (like unsalted almonds or pistachios) that is used only by your eldest child (to start out) and he can give them to her to try and bond. (Yummy things = good things come from this person....yay!) At this point I would recommend he place the treat in her bowl or near her, just in case she decides to lunge at him.....as time passes and if they build a relationship, he can work towards handing them to her directly.

I hope this helps!

Click to expand...

Thanks! My son is exactly how you've described your son. So I think she does get nervous around him. It is always supervised with my children , Im still in the process of finding out what her favorite treats her. I guess time will tell.

Sucre was a rescue who roamed free with 3 toddlers, however, it will be a long time before I trust her enough to have direct contact with my four year old grandson. He enjoys sitting by her cage and talking to her, because she mimics everything he says, but I just don't know if I will ever trust her behavior enough to allow a face to face with him.

I have 2 grandsons (6 & 3).
My toos don't like their quick movements, my M2 will burry his head in the crook of my arm when I'm holding him & they come close, my U2 runs up to my shoulder to get further away.

My cockatoo came to live with us when my kids were teenagers, so he learned to love all their activity, coming and going, changes in attire (remember goth?), changes in hair color (blue, purple, hot pink), and their music, video games, and high drama. When they moved out (finally! and, yes, they outgrew their goth and blue hair stages), I think the birds really missed all that "flock talk," especially the 'too, who learned some of his most memorable vocabulary during those years.

Now, I have a new generation of kids in my house, currently high on Thomas the Train and multiple views of Rio the movie, which we include the birds in. From the day these kids were born, I carried them by the parrots' cages and dropped the most high-value treat imaginable, to mine that would be a praline pecan nibble (about 1/2 of a nut half). Pretty soon, the birds started getting SUPER happy every time the grandkids came in the door. They're old enough now to hand them their special treat themselves with supervision, and we will keep working that positively forward every day.

With Eva, changes with parrots happen in slow motion. It seems like you're not making progress when you wake up one day and the problem is solved. You might try the uber-special treat with her and your son. Couldn't hurt and might really change things. Good luck!

My child was a too magnet from about the age of seven on... BUT she's not normal.