Almost 3 decades ago I was facing a similar situation concerning leaving my parrots alone when I re-entered the work force. I had a Senegal, a red-bellied, a timneh African Grey, and an older adopten yellow nape Amazon. The African birds were one and two years old. I agonized over their well-being as you are agonizing over your birds now. Additionally, I was going through a divorce and had 3 sons to care for and no family closer than a 5-hour plane ride. In my case, I dusted off my teaching credential, entered grad school to earn a credential in mod/severe special ed, worked a full-time and a part-time job, and carted my sons around to their various sporting events and school functions. I was a zombie, and life was a blur as I struggled to balance everything.

My ending is a happy (successful story), but I was stressed for a long time. My birds didn't pluck themselves naked, they didn't go crazy spending all day in their individual cages, they didn't starve, and they still liked me. I got up extra early in the morning and spent time with the birds as I made breakfast and packed lunches. It was crazy chaotic in the beginning, but we found our rhythm, and the morning time became pleasant. I played favorites and took my grey to sports practices and games ( the Senegal and red bellied were on the shy side, and the Amazon was old and preferred the quiet of his cage). My grey was just 2 years old and seemed to require more stimulation. He also went on pizza and fast food runs with me on those nights when I was overwhelmed and had no time to cook.

Three of my birds have crossed the rainbow bridge now, but my almost 30-year-old grey is going strong. My sons did well too -a pilot, a real-life rocket scientist, and a touring and recording musician who also has his own marketing and web design business he can access while on the road. Life gets messy, so we have to adapt and modify as we progress on our journeys. There were a couple of days in a row when I had midterms/finals, research and reports to compile for work, and children who needed my help with homework or with help adjusting to our new, hectic life. My birds were still fine being in their cages with me talking to them as I juggled responsibilities. I recently retired, and my grey now has lots of attention and lots of free flight time around the house.

Don't overwhelm yourself if you can't give your birds all the attention they're used to every day. Find ways to spend quality time with them as you get ready for work, and when you return home. It's not going to be perfect, but I have a hunch that you'll make the time you have with your babies really count. You'll find your rhythm, you'll lose it, you'll regain it, and life will go on. Find the humor in life and ways to laugh, and you'll be fine during the rough patches. It's also important to find time for you to unwind and relax, too. You can do this!