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I had shared in an earlier thread that my daughter was getting a parakeet. We had it since Friday evening and we were having a lot of fun with it. It was a young one raised locally by someone very credible. It was eating from our hands and sitting on our shoulders and really imprinting on us. This morning I went to get him out of his cage and he was dead. No clue as to why. Saturday he did fly into a window, but he seemed okay. It's hard to say whether it could have been a result of that or not. Anyway, having the parakeet was turning out to be good company for Angie. She was not asking for screen time like she had been. So, now I need to rethink our days when we are not doing schoolwork. I said we will not consider another bird until possibly next year when our friend hatches some again. My daughter-in-laws is due to have a baby soon, so we have that to look forward to, with a trip out of state. Pray for me as I find ways to fill Angie's days with profitable things. I think she handled this better than I did. I was getting attached to the little creature myself. God has a reason. We're moving on.

Oh my goodness! That is very sad. I am sorry to read this. I will definitely lift you and Angie up in prayer.

And I am glad to read that Angie handed this well. It is hard losing a pet! I have lots of pets and I have had to make the decision to put two of my dogs down once they got to be too old and were in pain. The decision was tough but then I just flat out missed them so much once they passed on! Even though you haven't had the bird long, there is definitely mourning for the bird and for the long lost relationship with that pet that you were both hoping to have fulfilled.

Pam,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss of parakeet. My 2nd oldest daughter had parakeets. When we started hs she researched how to care for parakeets. She had one that lasted for years, but every time we tried to get another the new one died. Then we received an older parakeet from a friend. That parakeet must have had a disease, because no other parakeet lived. She did a project through 4H explaining how to care for parakeets. This project won a purple ribbon at the county fair, and a chance to go to the state fair. She was a solo 4H participant, not part of a group. She was also shy, and shined through 4 H. The 4H was on the computer with a PDF of learning objectives.
Through these parakeets my daughter learned to care for others, grieving the loss of a pet, and research skills. A surprising thing that happened was meeting a girl who became a best friend. They both were homeschooled and raising a parakeet. Although your daughters experience was short I know she has learned many valuable skills.
Perhaps another opportunity will come as she awaits becoming an aunt. There are many skills to learn. Briefly caring for parakeets is a start.
Although you are trying to find alternatives to screen time, my daughter learned knitting on utube. I taught her the basics, and she branched out. She began knitting fingerless gloves, and started selling them to others.
Just throwing out some more ideas as you wait for the arrival of DIL's baby.

Thanks Daneale and Tammy. We attended a funeral yesterday, of a man who attended our church. The other night the devotional I read to Angie was on death, comparing it to the empty shell of a chrysalis. So the past couple of days have offered discussions on death. Angie has always been very sensitive to loss, due to her situation before we adopted her. I was surprised how well she took this loss. I'm sure it would have been harder had the bird been with us longer. But, I can tell she is maturing somewhat emotionally. I know these experiences will help make her stronger, as we don't know what the future holds. Both of my husband's and my parents are living yet, one 79 and the others in their 80's. Our church has many elderly people, some who Angie is close to. Although it was just a bird, God uses these things to strengthen us in knowing that He is in control of every situation. He has a reason for allowing these things.

Tammy - We tried a local 4-H group a few years ago, but I think Angie was too young, and they wanted to meet Sundays which did not work for us. Did you say your daughter did that online? I'd be interested in information on that. Angie has learned to use a knitting loom somewhat. She is learning to play piano and loves to draw. But, those are areas we have not consistently worked on, other than piano lessons. I have a formal art program I have wanted to do with her, because she seems to have some talent in that area. I guess these are things I need to add to our 'routine'. With Angie's reading struggles and left-side weakness from CP, it requires much time on my part, so we just don't get to these extra things. But, I think it's time to make them a priority.