Can you do self-insemination at home ?
We have two adorable pet ducks at home. My kids adore them and take good care of them, but we made a deal when we got the ducks a year ago: I would provide the food, hay, and all necessary supplies for their happy life—including individual pools—but my teenagers were responsible for the daily chores. This meant feeding them, cleaning up after them, collecting eggs, and ensuring they had fresh water to splash around in, which is essential for ducks.
However, the cleanup part hasn’t gone as planned. Who knew ducks could be so messy? They love to roam around the yard, which I can tolerate since they help get rid of mosquitoes and ticks. But those little guys often waddle up to our front porch and make themselves comfortable, which is where I draw the line. Ducks produce baseball-sized, splattery droppings every fifteen minutes, and I refuse to let my porch become a duck toilet.
When I noticed my kids weren’t cleaning up the mess but somehow found time to make outfits for the ducks, I had to step in. Then, I discovered they were using my cherished white dishes to feed them. I had bought duck feeders and waterers specifically for that purpose, but apparently, they “enjoy the sound” of porcelain. When I found my favorite bowl, cracked and dirty in the coop, I completely lost it on my kids.
I mean, I really let loose—one of those yelling sessions that leave you hoarse for hours. My kids seem to think I’m a ticking time bomb. There are days when I question whether all they hear is my shouting, and I get upset with myself for it. But then I remind myself that I have politely asked them numerous times over the past year to stop using my favorite mug for the ducks and to clean up the mess on the porch, only to have them “forget.”
I’ve tried asking nicely, jokingly, and even offered ice cream as a reward for cleaning up. I told them they wouldn’t get anything new from me until they improved their cleanup efforts.
This is just one example of the ongoing struggle we face—getting them to keep their rooms tidy, submit homework on time, take out the trash, and fold their laundry. As moms, we know when our patience has reached its limit. After repeatedly requesting that our family members contribute and clean up after themselves, we eventually snap.
So, I lost it that day. My kids were furious, thought I was the worst, and retreated to their rooms. I needed some time to cool off before I could even face them again—a tough admission for any mom, but we’ve all been there.
Eventually, they came down one by one. My son scrubbed the porch and took out the trash. They all went outside to gather the random dishes they had brought to the coop. They tidied their rooms too. We ended up going out for milkshakes, though we didn’t speak much on the drive there. After some time and sugar, we managed to reconnect.
Sometimes, it takes raising my voice to get my kids to straighten up and act responsibly. I’m not ashamed to do it when I feel ignored. I may feel guilty for losing my temper, but I don’t regret it because it works, and sometimes that’s the only thing that gets results.
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In summary, the balance of parenting often requires clear communication and sometimes a raised voice to encourage children to take responsibility. It’s a journey filled with ups and downs, but ultimately, it’s about fostering a sense of accountability in our kids.