The thing about having a duckling inside, without any of its siblings, is that it doesn’t realise it’s a duckling. Sure, neither of my other children are living in a plastic box with a sawdust floor, but ducklings aren’t great at seeing the big picture.
Ducklings also have a built in suvival reflex that goes something like “HOLY FUCK I’M LOST AND ALONE, PEEP PEEP PEEP PEEP”. This has enabled me to find many a duckling separated from the mother, all I have to do is follow the peeping.
Unfortunately, the inside duckling sometimes freaks the fuck out and goes “HOLY FUCK, I’M LONELY, PEEP PEEP PEEP PEEP” which doesn’t help me in the slightest, as I know exactly where the little thing is.
It has meant that as soon as the frantic peeping starts, my children race for the duckling box, vying to be the first one to reassure the baby that it’s not alone. My children sit around the box chatting and the duckling tones its peeping down to “hey, I’m joining in the conversation as well” and everyone is happy.
I wasn’t quite sure what I was expecting, but apparently the duckling assumes that my children are its siblings and my children are happy to peep back at it.
Also, while they’re bothering the duckling, they are not screeching at me.
Everybody wins!
Amy is back to school today, which is divine, even though I am now down one duckling silencer. Her ear has improved, thank goodness, and I was delighted to drop her off in her classroom today and then walk away.
I love my daughter, but I really love her being at school as well.
Aw, she’s so cute (I’m hoping it’s a she for you!). It kinda makes me want to get a duckling. x
I’m really hoping it’s a she too! I need a garden duck and girls are nicer 🙂
Aw, that’s so cute! We recently adopted a tiny kitten, and I had reservations until I saw how much it helped my three year old daughter cope with being the only kid in the family being left behind at home for school. A new friend for the littlies is lovely
That little ducky looks like it’s smiling!
Glad to hear Amy’s ear is better.
I love my boys most when they’re sleeping… or at school and nursery. 😉
What an adorable duckling! And the kids are learning about empathy, and having fun with
a possible garden duck…all good.
Ducklings (and baby chicks, in fact) are awesome siblings for small kids. I loved raising the babies when I was a kid.
We had a lamb once who thought he was a dog. He lived inside with us and slept with the dogs (or with us, if we could sneak him in!) and he was seriously the best puppy ever. Except that sheep and dogs grow up into completely different shapes, and have you ever had an adolescent ram try to climb onto your lap while you’re watching TV? It’s…..not goodtimes.
We’ve come close to having singletons twice, but luckily in one case a second egg hatched and in the other we have a tolerant mother hen who adopted it. It’s hard enough dealing with two or three having hysterics, I’m glad I haven’t had one on its own.
Although it is hilarious when the chicks start jumping out of the box – you can always tell because you suddenly hear someone shouting EVERYONE SUDDENLY DISAPPEARED PEEP PEEP PEEP but you scoop them back in and all is happy again.
Hey Veronica, i love reading your blog posts regularly- and i have to say that picture of the duckling made my heart melt! Anyway, i wish i could have commented on your other blog, but comments were closed- i have a uni assignment coming up and i was inspired by your blog as well as others to do it on Domino’s (not) gluten free bases. At the moment i am recording a radio piece on this issue for my university that will be put online. Right now i’m looking for someone who is deeply against the disclaimers and someone who is or is the parent of a Coeliac. I’ve contacted some other bloggers as well. Please contact me on afrahtf@gmail.com if you’re interested in helping me with my story!! 🙂
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