So we went to my sister's house to see her and the baby. Also my mother is staying over at the house until the fourth to cook and clean for her. She had a cesarian so she can't handle much. But I gotta tell you she walks better than I did after my reuptured appendix/peritonitis.

Whatever, so I serviced the cage for the last time and as always I didn't get a thank you or a good job, yada yada. The bird was pretty cute with me though. I serviced the cage, put ner food and water in the dishes, cleaned her bathtub and bathroom for her. This is my usual routine when I do my services.

So I cam out and told my sis flat out that this was the last and final time I will be servicing the cage.

I basically said, look I helped out as much as I can but you knew it was temporary. Now I think you guys can step up to the plate (P.S. Claude was not in the room becuase he was sleeping he works night shifts). I said it is your bird, your responsibility.

Well it went in one ear and out the other. My sis is like, year I can do that while my stitches are healing. P.S. she didn't get stitches, they use a paste that disolves.

I explained that Claude can do it since he has been caring for the 4 ferrits, guinea pig, and rabbit. Plus, they have two dogs. My sis says "Can't we talk about this some other time?"

Ok, I know they have a lot on their plate but honestly, if I had people helping her out like that I would be so greatful.

I felt defeated but I still am not going to do it.

Oh, yeah and the best part is none of my other family members, Dad, Mom, and my other sis, were my allies. As always, I fight my own battles in family civil wars LOL

So the next time I go over their, I will not carry my shopping bag filled with cleaning products. And if she asks, I will say, "Oh sorry, but I thought that was your responsibilty.

I am sorry for the way your family treats you. At least you know this family will never treat you like that. You laid the ground rules so now all you have to do is follow through. Don't give in. Did you ask her if you could take the bird? I am hoping that everything works out for you in the end.

i am SO proud of you!!! i know it was hard to stand up for yourself and not have any allies. i just had a recent episode with my mom and my siblings chose to just keep quiet instead of siding with me, so now my mom doesn't talk to me while my siblings still complain about her behind her back.

but i feel much stronger and i'm so glad i did it.

just stick to your guns and the next time you go over just say you came to visit your beautiful niece!

good job!!!

Good for you!! Just remember to follow through.

Follow through but if she doesnt care for the bird you have to do something.

Yeah, that is the thing that sucks about all this. The bird is the one that will end up getting hurt.

Her stitches are most likely internal in the uterine wall, but that's not important. I don't remember why you were the one that ended up caring for the bird in the first place if they have other animals that they are caring for. Did you volunteer or were you asked to care for the bird? Cleaning the cage shouldn't take that long, even if they only do it once a week. I only clean my cages twice a week, and with my crazy schedule there have been times where I was only able to clean them once a week. My guys don't get a lot of fresh foods while in their cages, because I know I won't be able to clean it out properly afterwards so they get seeds and pellets in their cages. They'll get fresh foods handed to them, so they make less mess.

Is your sisters bird being neglected or are their standards just not as high as yours? I ask because I know you've stated how clean you keep your birds cages and how well yours are cared for, which is wonderful by the way. But it sounds like they have their hands pretty full with all the other animals plus a new baby and her recovering from a c-section. Plus, with her hubby working nights, I can totally relate because I work nights as well and care for 4 large dogs, a cat, and the 2 birds.

If you feel you are being taken advantage of, then stand your ground and lay down some rules. If they cannot manage to care for the bird right now, then the bird should be fostered by you if that's something you're open to. If not, they should be paying you for your services. If they can't afford it, then they need to figure it out. But, you need to stand up for yourself and then stay tough. Good luck and I hope it works out for you, the fid and the new mom and dad.