my gerbils are gone!!!

[gerbil]

For those of you who don't know me personally yet, I'm a 14 year old violinist. Well, my mom isn't too fond of gerbils (although she thinks they're cute in pet stores) and she took them away and hid them somewhere (not in my house) and she won't tell me where they are! I have to practice 6 hours a day now until June 11 to get them back.
I feel so lonely now without them...
And plus, Ginger (my fav gerbil) had five babies and they're not even grown up yet. What if they die???
I'm so sad.

[sandy]

Hey, that is not fair. I guess that is one reason why it is so important to make pet acquisitions with your parents' knowledge and full cooperation. I'd suggest that you let your mom know your concerns about the babies, and then when you get them back, rehome them or keep them at a friend's house so they do not become an "issue" again.

[squeaksister]

Yikes 6 hours a day seems extreme, my heart goes out to you and those poor gerbils

[gerbil]

Ahhh! I just checked the calendar and tomorrow is S'more's due date! Oh no...........

[whitmoregirl]

Ah no!
That's so unfair!
Does your mother know how dependant the babies are for you to keep an eye on them??

[gerbil]

guess not...

[doomgerbiluk]

Seems an odd punishment
I do take my daughters gerbils out of her room into my care when her room looks like a bombsite, mainly because
1) the deal was she could have gerbils if she kept her bedroom halfway tidy
and
2) it cant be good for gerbil to be in a room where the floor is not visible!!!
;D

But when I do 'confiscate' them they come downstairs with the other gerbils.
That said I'm sure they'll be in a safe place.
What is so important that means you have to practice so hard? Do you have exams or a performance coming up?

[gerbil]

Dear Doom, I have a competition coming up.
But the good news is that I got my Ginger and the babies back. My mom said I was doing well so she gave them back to me.
However, the bad news is, Amy, S'more, and Chocolate are still at the 'secret spot'.
If I don't win the competition, they all will be going in the trash.

[doomgerbiluk]

oh dear
it sounds as though the competition is very important to your mum
BUT what do you mean in the trash? If that is meant literally then she should be aware it is animal cruelty and illegal.
I'm glad you got some back.
Win the competition? What if their are other peopel better than you? If you said she expected you to do your best I could appreciate it but you have to win or else? Seems a bit harsh
Anyway good luck with the competition.

[whitmoregirl]

I agree 100% with Gill (Doom).
Your mother seems to be pushing you way too hard to win and telling you that unless you win, the other gerbils are going in the bin, is a disgrace.
Who would condone such behaviour?
And how realistic is it that you will win the competition?

I'm so sorry for you Gerbil - I hope you get them back safe and sound soon.

[gerbil]

I didn't mean exactly in the trash, but thank you for your concern. They were going to a grandpa's house. But still, no one can love them as I love them
Thank you all for responding!

[sandy]

If it was me I'd move them to a friend's house that was willing rather than letting them become a "lever" for your mom to control you with. Or maybe a teacher? Female adult friend? etc.

[maxthegerbil]

I`m sorry, but gerbils or any other rodents/pets are not blackmailing tools. It can upeset their balance to move their habitat around too much. I think your mom should concentrate on your music skills and not using these gerbils as an excuse to motivate you? I would tell her either leave well alone or the violin will be in the bin.

[tirilliel]

Excuse the language, but this is bull crap!!!!

I can remember a few times in my past that my parents would threaten to take away my pet birds for stupid reasons. If anything it would just make me madder at them! I think they probably knew it, but it they ever had I would have turned into their worst nightmare and that is something I could never ever forgive, sounds harsh but id probably disown them. Sure some children dont take their pets to seriously, but others do, In fact our pets our like our children, they are family and very much cherished! If they took away my pets like that it would be something I could never ever forgive!

In your case it sounds like your mother is just using it to bribe you. I think its childish in my opinion to act such a way... and I dont think its very nice of her to push you in such a way. 6 hours a day seems like way to much. Do you even like to play violin?

Anyway, why dont you tell that its inexcusable for her to treat you that way and to punish the gerbils? There is so reason for it in my opinion, Grrrrr Just grrrrrrrrrrr, Maybe you can do what others have suggested and keep the gerbils at a friends? If she makes you get rid of the other because you loose maybe someone on the forum can take them off your hands depending on where you are located,

Sounds like one of this is a cases of a parent trying to make their children live "their" dreams, I dont see what esle would make a parent push their kids so hard and punish them for loosing.

You going to end up being very anxious and insecure when you get older if she doesnt cut the behaviour out!

[gerbil]

Thanks everyone. I really appreciate your concerns. My mom is better in letting me keep the gerbils. I explained that if she wanted to disturb the precious little lives, she could do it. Imagine someone taking away me from you.
She gave the gerbils to a trustworthy gerbil keeper. I'm happy now. I still have Ginger and her babies.
And also, Tirilliel, I do enjoy violin. Remember I play it as a professional.
Thank you all so much again!