Am I being childish? OK I am, but how would you feel?

[Promiselandfarm]

I do feel for you, as some families think life is a game one must be the best at. My children have always been ignored by my husband's parents. My children then got into modeling and did very well...what did my MIL say? "OH Tiff could do that", guess what no she could not otherwise her mom would have drug her off to do it. Anyway we gave that up because it really was not the lifestyle or morals I wanted my children to grow up with. I do have beautiful children that are so kind on the inside it just makes them shine more on the outside. Both my sister and my SIL hate the fact that my children get more attention than theirs by everyday people, they compete in different ways to prove their children are better Life is hard enough just as it is without trying to live up to ones siblings or their family, just wish others could see that and just love each other where they are in life.

We have had chickens off and on now for a long time. We introduced a neighbor to chickens ....Guess what ? He is now the expert in chickens and he has had them less than a year Some people are just that way. You just have to Love them where they are and understand they Have *ISSUES* otherwise they would not feel the need to be better than you.

Keep up the good work with your children because life and death is part of life, learning how to deal with it as a child does make it better in the end(*at least studies have shown*).

 

[cjeanean]

You'll learn as you go, don't worry. I just started this back in late February, and now I have like 82 chickens!!! (26 will be eaten in a month). I can't wait to try hatching, and when I ordered from McMurray Hatchery I got some really cool breeds. Definately not as cool as some of the people on here, but I certainly have a mixed flock!!! First, make sure you have the money and time to devote to many chickens, then build your flock. They got chickens just to copy you, but don't get mad. Focus on what you have and what your goals are. My goal was to have lots of different, interesting chickens as well as standard, and to breed for eggs and meat. I don't know how to explain what I mean. It's like u have the cousins standing there ready to copy what you do in an instant, but you are focused and steady, without getting out of hand. Sure, that sounds good LOL!!! Good luck, and

 

[penelope77]

you big baby. only kidding. i would have been ticked too. people like that are annoying. so what, you lost a couple chicks. it's been nothing but a deathfest at my place for two months straight. it isn't like chicks are the easiest things to raise. it's a good lesson for the kids on how not to be, that's for sure. i'd definitely use the experience for character building and don't let the kids know you're bothered. i don't even have a coop, i have a shed that they sleep in at night.

 

[Cassandra]

It is SO frustrating that some family members have to do that. Just know that if they feel like they have to do everything that you do and try to do it better, they are really showing that they have something to prove. (Don't concern yourself with what it is, because, really--who cares?!)

Enjoy your own chickens. And if they insist on bragging to you--congratulate them. Treat them like anyone else who was acting excited over some accomplishment. Even thought they may be trying to rub your nose in it, you don't have to give them the satisfaction of letting them think it bothers you. There's no reason you shouldn't be happy for them that their chickens are doing great--right?

I like Judymae's story. I think those of us who work hard and mind our own business secretly hope it turns out that way for pretty much everyone who lords their (non) accomplishments over us. I do!

Cassandra

 

[dangerouschicken]

The more chickens the better

 

[Buff Hooligans]

Like that other poster said, try to focus on why you got the chicks in the first place, before the relatives played copy-cat.

You might want to try a Dear Abby kind of response to their boastings and goadings by just non-committaly saying "oh really? that's nice" to every one of their comments. If you just keep that in your head as your only response, you will stop letting them rule your thoughts, and they will probably get tired of trying to get a rise out of you and your kids. And they can't complain about it, because what bad have you said?

Good luck. We can't help what we feel, only how we act in response to those feelings.

 

[silkiechicken]

Best of luck with your chicks. My feelings are... who cares? So what if someone else has something, does something, or copies you. What does it matter? Not like you're trying to keep up with the world so what do you need to show for it? Do what makes you feel good and thats that.

 

[chickenannie]

When someone else makes comments like that, it's because they're JEALOUS of you. If they weren't jealous, they wouldn't bother noticing what you're doing, then criticizing your way of doing things. Lots of critical people are EMPTY inside and they need someone else in their life to criticize because it makes them feel better than they feel about themselves. Just acknowledge that you did something interesting with your son and the cousins are like little insecure pests trying to 'get in on' YOUR good idea. Don't buy into their bad behavior -- just smile at them, and go about the business you originally planned. And don't tell them about your next project, it'll drive them nuts that you have a secret!

 

[fullhouse]

Everytime my MIL does some thing that ticks me off (frequently) I just tell myself she must have done something right because my dh is the best man I could ask for. Then I go on with life

 

[Justino]

lol get an Easter Egger and show off its green or blue eggs!