I'm a horrible parrot mom, what should I do?

I'm new here so I'll post a little background information. Well, my name is Rachael and I'm the proud parrot mom of a 3y/o Senegal parrot. I've only owned him for roughly two years.

The reason why I'm a horrible parrot mom: I'm now in college (for vet tech) and I couldn't bring him with me. I go home every Thursday night until Sunday/Monday morning. The other days, Mon-thurs, he doesn't get any attention. He stays with my father, who works all day and won't take him out, because he is a trouble maker and my father won't learn how to handle him. However, my father is really good about cleaning his cage, giving him fresh food, and replacing his water.

It killed me because I looked for a new home for him, though none were acceptable. Not only because I have high standards, but because most of the people who wanted him were really, really, uneducated and had little to no parrot experience, or any bird experience at that. I was meeting with someone who thought I was just going to give him up to him that day 0_0.. I can't even think about giving him up for adoption because he literally is my baby.

I plan to get an apt, but I have to wait until next semester. I would bring him to a bird-babysitter but I know no one around here D; What should I do.

I'd leave him with your father until next semester. You're with him on the weekends, and he's getting fresh food, water, and a clean cage. He'll manage...it's just temporary.

SharonC said:

I'd leave him with your father until next semester. You're with him on the weekends, and he's getting fresh food, water, and a clean cage. He'll manage...it's just temporary.

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I just feel horrible, I was with him literally seven days a week. Now I'm with him only three/four.

I agree with Sharon, leave him where he is. As you mentioned it's only temporary.
You are fortune having your father, there for the bird, even if there hardly any interacting taking place. At least he is safe, and being fed.
You are still having a certain amount of time with him, Thursday till Sunday, where I am sure you spend as much time with him, interacting and one on one time.
One of our members, only get so see her bird during her breaks from college, and that is weeks and weeks apart.
When you get your own apt next semester you will be so happy you kept your bird.
Just imagine all the time you two will spend together every single day than

Consider where many birds are before they find a home: in a pet store they get a clean cage and fresh food and water if they're lucky, but they get no real attention.

Many birds stay in such a situation for several months until they can find a home. It's certainly not ideal, but a few months of getting weekend time should not be that bad.

antoinette said:

I agree with Sharon, leave him where he is. As you mentioned it's only temporary.
You are fortune having your father, there for the bird, even if there hardly any interacting taking place. At least he is safe, and being fed.
You are still having a certain amount of time with him, Thursday till Sunday, where I am sure you spend as much time with him, interacting and one on one time.
One of our members, only get so see her bird during her breaks from college, and that is weeks and weeks apart.
When you get your own apt next semester you will be so happy you kept your bird.
Just imagine all the time you two will spend together every single day than

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That makes me feel so much better. Thank-you

Auggie's Dad said:

Consider where many birds are before they find a home: in a pet store they get a clean cage and fresh food and water if they're lucky, but they get no real attention.

Many birds stay in such a situation for several months until they can find a home. It's certainly not ideal, but a few months of getting weekend time should not be that bad.

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That is very true. D;

Vivica said:

Rach, you're not a bad mommy. You sound very educated on parrots and it sounds like you love your birdie very much. There's no way he won't be okay, because it sounds like he's in good hands when you're gone. I'll tell you a little story about my transitional period with my wrnts bird.

I was nineteen and away from home constantly, because I was with my fiancee (boyfriend at the time)-- and I really neglected to come home often to see my parrot. I was so in love I actually would leave him alone for days at a time, having my sister feed him. Finally, I asked my fiancee's parents if I could move wrnts in, because my mother was threatening to give wrnts away again (and rightfully so), and I needed a solution to my problems. I would cry at night over wrnts and not being near him. I'd feel guilty and shameful. Now THAT'S a bad mommy.

But-- I grew a pair and asked if my animals can move in too, and here I am today, with all my creatures in this house.

I feel quite horrible saying I did these things, but it all worked out in the end. I'll never leave my wrnts again.

So, in all-- just wait till next semester. Your birdie will be just fine.

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Thank-you. Atleast you learned from your mistakes. We've all been there. All I can think about is "this is going to better mine and my animals future". The biggest problem I'm having is finding a place around here that lets you keep animals. As I have my parrot and my two dogs. That's why it's probably going to take a whole semester before I can find a place that will allow me to have them.

Yes, a lot of places will take cats, but not birds or dogs. It's very hard to find a suitable place. At least you'll be looking into everything you can.

A horrible parrot mum wouldn't even take her birds feelings into consideration.

You're doing great. If you don't get your education, who'll pay for the birdy diet and vet bills?

Exactly.

Hey, you're not alone, I leave for college in two years and I do have concern about my birds. My parents are not like your dad. They don't a hoot about my birds. So I am in a bit of a tight situation. But I'm not too worried about leaving them with a friend or relative as long as they get the proper care they need just for my first year of college.

Hi Rach, if you just ditched the bird because he cramped your style, then you'd be a bad mommy, if you just left him caged and and fed, watered and cleaned his cage once in awhile when you felt like it, then you'd be a bad mommy, but instead you love him so much your willing to do what you can to make sure he's healthy and happy all the while trying to balance a now busier life, making sure that he is fed and cared for and spending your free time with him, makes you a good and responsible guardian, no worries once you graduate school and get back into a rhythm your mind will ease and things will be back to normal, keep the faith

Thanks everyone for the words of wisdom.