Parents, Is it too much? Rant... Kinda... Update post #29

[elizabethbinary]

Not only can you not have chickens, you can't have pets, friends, a social life or happiness. You're gonna be a mother, don'tcha know?

 

[SpringChickens]

Chickens are some of the easiest animals to take care of! You won't have any problems at all - I suspect you'll have more problems dealing with your in laws than your chickens...

Good luck.

 

[HHandbasket]

Maybe both your MIL and GMIL will soften up and fall in love with the little fuzzybutts once they actually see the chickens there. They have a tendency to do that to people, even self-proclaimed "not an animal person" type people. They wrap their widdle wings awound your widdle heart and your hewlpwess against the power of their awesome cuteness...

Sounds like they're pretty old-fashioned, and in their minds they cannot fathom how you are going to be able to handle it. Don't take it as a sign that they do not trust that YOU can handle it. They are unaware of what having the chickens will entail for you, but once the chicken coop and its inhabitants become part of the family, I think everything will smooth over just fine. Only time will show how this works out, but I am sure that it will work out. They are only expressing their concern in the only way they know how.

Keep a positive thought and let them see what a good thing this will be for you, for the chickens, for your child, and maybe even for them, too. (Then there's always the free fresh eggs... hehehe.)

 

[HEChicken]

Just do it and never mind the naysayers. I carried my tiny infants in a front pouch and as soon as they were old enough, put them in a back carrier. They loved the close contact and being able to see what I was doing - they were far more content than babies put on the floor and expected to bat at colored disks hovering over their heads for hours. My mother used to always tell me about growing up in Africa, how the women working in the field would take a break to have their baby, then strap it to their back and be right back at work immediately afterward. It is only in "developed" countries that we think of pregnancy and childbirth as a disease that requires special attention.

If you have a C-Section you may appreciate some help for awhile but if you are able to deliver naturally, you'll be up and about in no time - if you want to be.

 

[DuckLady]

I totally understand where you are coming from...how frustrating and maddening.

I suggest that you stop explaining yourself to them. You don't need their permission or approval for anything.

I did that with my MIL when I realized what she was doing, which was to lower my self esteem in decision making to make herself feel better about hers. I just said "thanks for your input" and left it at that and refused to be drawn into it again.

 

[wildorchid053]

hey kellsy!!! my daughter makes and sell these.. and she has 3 kids and does the gardening hanging clothes on the line and everything else hands free. she makes them and they sell like hotcakes.. check it out... http://www.etsy.com/search_results....oppers&search_type=category&category=children

they work great and gives you hands free for nursing or just for hanging out with your baby. the sling is all cotton.

 

[marina]

Maybe MIL and MIL's mother just opened themselves up to baby-sitting duties? If it's so "time-consuming" to tend to your hens, then maybe they should be around to change Luke, oh and do some dishes and laundry while they're there...

 

[HeatherLynn]

They are not living in the real word. I had 2 older children I was homeschooling, a little one in diapers, pregnant, going to school full time, and I managed to start up my flock of 25. Its not that bad. Yes infants are time consuming and you may need to find way to do everything efficiently but once you have that pattern down you are golden. The only thing I might suggest is to have someone willing to help out those first couple weeks. Getting over having a baby and starting breast feeding can stretch a moms nerves a tad and help is always a welcome thing.

No you are not crazy for thinking of doing this. Go for it.

 

[Susan Mc]

Quote:
Absolutely not! Ten chickens will take so little of your time and energy, what are they going on about?!!
It takes just a few minutes at dawn to let them out, check them over, give them water and feed. A few minutes once or twice a day to check for eggs. A few minutes to lock them in at night. Once or twice a week you'll need a half-hour max to clean out the coop. I think you can work that around baby's feeding times, slings are wonderful, and besides crying for a couple of minutes never hurt any baby. I didn't have chickens when my daughter was an infant 3 summers ago, but sure I took her outside with me while I was gardening, I used a little tent-like thing to keep the sun and rain off her while I worked, no problems.
You know what's involved with keeping hens, you've kept them before. You're able to manage your time and can focus on 2 things at once. Go ahead and get your hens now. Pass them the occasional half-dozen eggs, they'll soon get over it.
Just keep in mind that letting the hens out early may be the last thing you feel like doing if your baby is keeping you awake at night, but a predator-secure run and automatic pophole opener might help with that. And obviously keep baby and chicken droppings apart. Otherwise there's absolutely no reason for their concern.

 

[ChickyLaura]

You will be fine!!! I really wouldn't worry AT ALL... You have realistic expectations that the first few weeks you'll be busy, but after that you'll figure out your own routine that works for you.

Maybe they think you're planning on expanding to have a chicken ranch?