I really miss the baby Rio when he had to get fed by me and he needed me for warmth and protection. He is so independent now. I thought having him in my room would be similar to having a baby (really dependent, needy, and helpless) I really like when I take care of something that's helpless. It makes me feel like I have a purpose in life. Since Rio grew up, he only needs food, water, and out of the cage time with me. That's really it. He has a bunch of toys and is really happy but he isn't helpless which makes me feel helpless. How can I bring at least some of the babying back home? I miss tucking him to bed and telling him, "Don't be scared, I'll be back here tomorrow to feed you again." I miss waking up at 3AM to give him an extra feeding when his little crop was empty.

How can I fulfill this need? It's more for me than for the bird. Maybe I should be a bird breeder when I get older? I get to handle a lot of babies. Maybe that would work? I hope at least someone can relate to me and tell me this is normal.

I take the bird out of his cage for more than 4 hours a day. He gets a lot of attention but he can do everything on his own. He doesn't need me anymore. I don't feel like his daddy anymore. He grew too fast.

Some more facts: I love it when there was a huge thunderstorm and baby rio have the cutest chirp and I told him, "You'll be fine, sleep tight". Does anyone know what this means and how I can fulfill this craving. I think the main reason I gave my tiels away was because they were too independent. I sometimes feel the same way about Rio as well. Maybe I should have bought a really handycapped bird that really needed special attention.

I don't want to be a psychiatrist anymore. I want to help people and animals.

For one, they may seem independent, but they aren't that much really. For instance, without you they wouldn't have food or water, they wouldn't have toys or a cage, they wouldn't have some one to love and feel secure with. In other words they depend on you for everything.
Have you thought about being a nurse? CNA's, CMA's and LPN/LVN's all have close contact with their patients and take care of them. Geriatrics is very much in need of caring nurses and the patients are very much in need of caring people to take care of them. It might be just what you need.
You might also get certified to work in a child care facility. Babies and young children also need caring people working to take care of them.
Again, your Rio needs you, just not in the same way. So don't be too quick to give up on him. You need to realize that caring for a pet means for all of its life. They always need you.

there is plenty of ways to do it. Have you ever thought about volunteering at humane society or vet office? Becoming a vet tech for the beginning and then maybe a vet?

Why not volunteer at a parrot rescue? The birds there are constantly changing and VERY needy.

You could work with baby birds in a petshop maybe thats what im doing now when they get more babies.Rocko is very dependent hes such a big baby lol.

In a way, I feel the same way about some of the birds I used to have. The dove baby that died depended on me for food, warmth, and she learned to trust me for protection. I used to sing to her as I held her in my hands, and she would make the cutest little chirps as she slowly fell asleep. It still hurts to think about her, because she died merely days after my sister gave her to me.

Babies always grow up too fast but the next level has its rewards is usually even better after you adjust to it. There have been lots of good ideas here for finding nurturing activities.

Thanks everyone! The first post that Jojo's mom posted really made me feel better. She helped me notice that even that he did grow up, he is still my baby boy/girl and still does need me for love. I didn't even pay attention to that until I read her post. Thank you everyone. Love the suggestions for jobs. I really like them. I love kids. I always watch my aunts little kids when they are very young but I do lose interest when they grow older and don't need me anymore. Sort of like what happened with baby rio. Thanks everyone again!!

Just enjoy Rio.... you cant turn the clock back...
He will need you everyday of his life...