We have two adorable pet ducks that my kids absolutely adore and care for. However, when we decided to get them a year ago, I made it clear: I would handle the food, hay, and all the necessary supplies for their care, while my teenagers would be responsible for the dirty work. This meant cleaning up after them, feeding them, collecting their eggs, and ensuring they always had fresh water to splash in—an essential for ducks.
Unfortunately, the cleaning part hasn’t gone as planned. Who knew ducks could be so messy? They love to roam freely in our yard, which is fine by me. I can handle the holes they dig since they help control the mosquito and tick population. However, those ducks are clever and know where their meals come from. They often waddle up to our front porch, sitting there like two loaves of bread rising in a pan.
The problem is, ducks can produce baseball-sized, splattery droppings every fifteen minutes. That’s my breaking point. I refuse to have a front porch covered in duck poop. When I noticed my kids neglecting to clean up the mess (yet somehow finding time to create outfits for the ducks), I told them they needed to keep the ducks off the porch.
Then, I discovered they were using my fine china to feed their feathered friends. After purchasing duck feeders and waterers, I learned that they “enjoy the sound” of porcelain. When I found my cherished bowl, which I’ve had for years, cracked and covered in duck droppings in the coop, I completely lost my cool.
It was one of those moments where you yell until your voice goes hoarse, and you can’t stop. My kids think I’m a ticking time bomb, and there are days when I worry that all they hear is my yelling. But then I remind myself of the countless times I’ve politely asked them to stop using my favorite mug or to clean up the mess on the porch, only for them to “forget.”
I’ve asked calmly, joked about it, and even promised ice cream if they helped tidy up. I’ve told them that they wouldn’t receive anything new from me until they improved their cleaning habits.
This scenario is just one of many. We constantly battle over keeping their rooms clean, submitting homework on time, taking out the trash, and folding laundry. As mothers, we all know when we reach our limit. When we can no longer hold in our frustrations after asking our families to contribute and clean up after themselves in a reasonable manner, we snap.
On that particular day, I lost it like never before. My children were furious with me, thinking I was unfair, and retreated to their rooms. Admitting that I needed time to cool off before facing them again is tough, but it’s a reality we’ve all faced.
Eventually, they came down one by one. My son scrubbed the front porch and took out the garbage. They gathered the random dishes they had taken out to the coop and cleaned their rooms. We ended the day with a trip to get shakes, where we didn’t speak much on the way there. After some time (and a bit of sugar), we managed to reconnect.
Sometimes it takes a loud outburst to get our kids to behave and take responsibility. I’m not ashamed to raise my voice when necessary. I don’t see myself as a bad parent when I lose it, especially when my repeated requests go unheeded. While I wish it didn’t have to come to that, it’s just how things work in our household.
I do feel guilty about losing my temper, but I continue to do it when I feel ignored. I can feel guilty without regretting it because, sometimes, it’s the only approach that gets results.
For more insights into parenting and home insemination, check out this blog post, and if you’re interested in home insemination kits, this site is an authority on the topic. Additionally, you can explore this excellent resource for more information on pregnancy and home insemination.
Potential Search Queries:
- home insemination kit
- self insemination
- how to clean after pets
- teen responsibilities
- parenting tips
Summary:
In this candid reflection on parenting, Emily Carter shares her experiences with her children’s responsibilities regarding their pet ducks. Despite her attempts to get them to clean up after the ducks and take care of their living space, she often finds herself losing her temper. While she feels guilty about her outbursts, she also recognizes that sometimes it takes a loud expression of frustration for her kids to step up and take their responsibilities seriously.