https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 26 May 2026 15:52:18 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tablet-for-a-5-year-old#post-2921687 Tue, 29 Dec 2020 21:48:02 +0000 lady baltimore 2921687@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our newly 5-year-old LOVES to listen to audiobooks. Since last summer, she has been doing so through Audible and Libby on an old cell phone of mine, but that phone is starting to be hard to charge. DH and I have been discussing what the best next option for her is. At the moment, we are not interested in introducing her to interactive apps or games - we only need a device for audiobooks and watching videos while we do her hair (likely Disney+ and PBS Kids). However, we are mindful that she will be in kindergarten next year, and may use certain educational apps for school, so it seems to make sense to to select something that will be able to accommodate that when the time comes.</p> <p>What do your children use for media at this age? My first instinct is to get one of the Kindle Fires for kids, as that should be easily compatible with Audible, but I have never owned a tablet, so I am coming into this fresh. Can anyone recommend for or against the Kindle Fire? Other comparable options? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/screentime-during-quarantine#post-2914486 Fri, 24 Apr 2020 10:21:49 +0000 crazydoglady 2914486@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What are you doing? This is a judgement free zone. </p> <p>We have been pretty lax about it and I feel like it's starting to bite us in the butt. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kindle-fire-yay-or-nay#post-2911801 Fri, 13 Mar 2020 13:54:02 +0000 mrsbubbletea 2911801@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thinking of getting one for my 5 yo. We need more home activities and I think there is some unlimited subscription? Not too interested in games or apps, we already have a switch and an iPad. Or is there an iPad app that would work? Our iPad is kind of old and low on space so we always have to delete and re add apps. Mainly interested in reading lots of books, together and ones he can look through picture or even audio? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/older-kid-ipad-apps-no-wifi#post-2893521 Sun, 04 Aug 2019 23:35:10 +0000 PinkElephant 2893521@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I know this topic comes up regularly, but I couldn’t find a recent post with quite the same requirements. </p> <p>I’m looking for apps for my 5 &amp; 7 year olds (girly girls, so bring on the bakery/nail salon/glittery pink themed stuff) to play games on WITHOUT WIFI in the car or on airplanes. I don’t necessarily care if they are educational as long as they are kid-appropriate. I’d love some things like the Webkinz type games, Tetris, Bejeweled, etc. on a more simplistic level. Free is always great, but I’m happy to pay a few dollars for games that are tried and tested! Thanks in advance for ideas! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-am-a-terrible-mother-we-have-scared-our-dd-help#post-2891284 Tue, 16 Jul 2019 13:42:13 +0000 Ajsmommy 2891284@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am feeling so badly about this and I need advice. </p> <p>So DD is 5.5. She loves, loves, loves Halloween and scary/creepy stuff. I mean I took her to this haunted walk for the past two Halloweens and she just loves it and has no issues after.... (i'll post a pic bc some of the stuff is pretty creepy!! but she loves it and looks back at the pics all the time) And never been scared to sleep in her room alone.</p> <p>Anyway, two weekends ago she saw "frankenweenie" on the Netflix or hulu list and we watched it. She was fine throughout the movie and even ok for the last week. </p> <p>Now this past weekend DH put on Harry Potter, I think the first one, it was on in the background this weekend as we did stuff around the house. DD was casually watching it every so often.. and I noticed what looked like a giant troll and also a three headed dog :shocked: I told DH maybe we should turn it off... but DD didn't say anything.</p> <p>BUTTTT she's been scarred!!! She was home with her gram yesterday and fell asleep for a nap and when she woke up she was scared and freaked out, screaming and really upset my mom said. </p> <p>Then last night at bed time she cried and asked why I couldn't sleep with her in her bed all night.. and I tried to explain and then she cried and said she was just sad bc she loved me and wanted me there.. then it came out that she couldn't "control her fear"... and this is when she finally told me she was scared and she mentioned the movies. So yeah, great, we are freakin terrible parents and now my baby is scared to sleep in her room!!!! I had to literally lay with my arm over her and she was grasping it until she fell asleep and then when I got up she woke up within 5 mins frantic that I go back! I ended up sleeping in there until 3 am.. and then she woke up again at 430 asking for me to go back... </p> <p>We've explained that the cartoon was not real and I think she gets it... but what else can we do??? HELP.. I am so sad we did this!!! </p> <p>Will it just take time??? </p> <p>She said that she was happy that we could talk about it and come to a plan (which was me putting my arm over her until she fell asleep) but obviously I dont' want this to continue to bother her.... </p> <p>&lt;hangs head in shame at what a crap parent I am regarding this&gt;<br /> ps she loves this scary baby!! </p> <p>[attach=4974/19/puqzyd.338x600.hw1.png]</p> <p>[attach=4974/19/puqzyf.338x600.hw2.png] </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/muppet-treasure-island#post-2888334 Thu, 20 Jun 2019 18:21:18 +0000 kce56 2888334@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son wants to have a movie party for his 7th birthday. He wants to show Muppets Treasure Island which he watched at my parents’ house a few months ago. I haven’t seen it (more of a Muppets Take Manhattan fan myself ;)). For those who have, would you be okay with your similarly aged kid watching it? Just want to make sure I’m not traumatizing anyone! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/apps-for-1st-graders#post-2887221 Fri, 07 Jun 2019 14:22:13 +0000 meganmp 2887221@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My twins will be going into 1st grade in the fall. They commute to school with me and our drive can be brutal, so they get Kindle time for about an hour on our ride home. Any recommendations for some good apps? They loved Teach your Monster to Read and Endless Reader/Numbers. Thinkrolls was great for DD, but sent DS into a tailspin when he couldn't figure it out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/beauty-and-the-beast-too-scary-for-3yo#post-2880612 Fri, 12 Apr 2019 14:47:49 +0000 lady baltimore 2880612@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Over the last few months, I have been taking my daughter, 3, to see some local school and community theater plays. We have seen Shrek the Musical, Mamma Mia, Once on This Island (probably not appropriate, in retrospect), and Newsies. She has enjoyed all of them to varying degrees, and likes to watch sections of Shrek the Musical and Mamma Mia on Netflix with us in the evening. A nearby high school is performing Beauty and the Beast this weekend, and LO wants to go. I am worried that it might be too scary. We watched some of the movie a few months ago when I was down with a stomach bug, and she asked me to turn it off when it got to the part with the wolves. I was going to review some of the scarier parts with her last night to make an informed decision, but neither version of the movie is on Netflix or Prime at the moment. Has your 3-year-old seen this movie? How do you rate the scariness?</p> <p>For the record, she has handled "scariness" in the plays we have seen much better than she does in her limited movie viewing (i.e. she wasn't upset at all at Shrek the Musical live, but asks me to fast forward through all of the dragon's scenes when we watch the filmed version). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/freetime-unlimited-on-ipad#post-2863984 Sat, 29 Dec 2018 12:59:02 +0000 peaches1038 2863984@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Amazon had a sale yesterday for Freetime unlimited for $1/month. We are going on a trip next week that requires a 6.5 hour plane ride, so I got it. Now I’m not sure how to download things. I tried a long press but nothing happened. Does anyone know how? Thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-i-get-them-fire-kids-based-on-our-situation#post-2849237 Thu, 04 Oct 2018 13:17:44 +0000 snowjewelz 2849237@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We currently let them use our iPads. Almost 4 year old DD gets iPad time on the weekends when DD2 naps. Both get iPad time for long-ish car trips. </p> <p>DD1 has my well functioning iPad<br /> DD2 has DH's old iPad that's pretttty slow but works to just put on a show</p> <p>My main problem is memory. I have to go in and rotate downloaded content b/c there isn't enough room and also Amazon has a max # of downloads. </p> <p>Would getting them Kindle Fire w/ the most memory (and since it's also expandable with SD card) fix all of this? Getting new iPads is definitely not an option. </p> <p>I know us and the girls are used to and probably prefer iPad usability, but getting them new devices w/ much more room, especially if we travel, is very tempting as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-new-ipad-apps#post-2845353 Fri, 14 Sep 2018 07:25:56 +0000 misolee 2845353@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We’re embarking on a 14 hour flight next week (God help us) with my 6 year old, 2.5 year old, and a six month old. So iPad it is. I’m pretty conservative when it comes to iPad usage so the kids don’t really use it except to watch Saturday morning cartoons on it where we we chromecast it to the tv. </p> <p>We need some games (no WiFi) that will keep both of them occupied. No clue for what to get for two year old. The six year old can read pretty well so reading games or phonics games are out. Any ideas? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/educational-apps-for-4-5-year-old#post-2783822 Thu, 02 Nov 2017 15:18:52 +0000 dolphin 2783822@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have Endless Alphabet, numbers and reader. Any other apps you recommend that's educational? Thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tablet-games-for-a-reluctant-reader#post-2826333 Tue, 05 Jun 2018 08:11:38 +0000 kce56 2826333@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Looking for any and all suggestions for tablet games (iPad or Amazon Fire) for a 5 year old who is thisclose to reading. I’m usually pretty limiting with the screen time but if there are a few games that will encourage his reading I’m all for it! We’ve done Endless Alphabet but I think he’s over it. Thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-movies-on-netflix-comcast-on-demand#post-2809349 Mon, 12 Mar 2018 18:00:00 +0000 Foodnerd81 2809349@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yet another snow day tomorrow! I promised my kids we could watch movies in sleeping bags tomorrow. Last week we made the mistake of showing the 4.5 and 2 year olds The Land Before Time- neither DH or I remembered the mother dying being such a big part! We may have scarred my 4 year old. </p> <p>So besides Moana and Trolls, what are your LO’s favorite movies available on Netflix or on demand on Comcast/ xfinity? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/disney-movies-for-a-sensitive-kid#post-2807613 Sun, 04 Mar 2018 17:43:07 +0000 Tanjowen 2807613@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have most of the Disney dvds we purchased years ago. I am excited to introduce our 4 year old to them, but so far we start one and it has a sad beginning and he gets upset and we turn it off. Tarzan, for example.</p> <p>What Disney Movies are more light hearted? So far we have had success with Wall-E , Toy Story. And Into the Wild. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preschool-apps#post-2806547 Tue, 27 Feb 2018 13:24:03 +0000 mrsbookworm 2806547@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Any recommendations for apps for a 4-5 year old? DS is having minor surgery so I’d like to load some new apps on my iPad for while he’s recovering. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/littlebabybum-amp-disturbing-youtube-videos#post-2784611 Mon, 06 Nov 2017 16:17:53 +0000 cornucopia8 2784611@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>ICYMI - terrifying and upsetting news about automated Youtube content for children. When you think your children are watching innocent videos on Youtube, they're actually watching knockoff Peppa Pig being tortured by a dentist. I'm so unsettled by this article that I'm sharing it widely.</p> <p>See links below:<br /> <a href="https://medium.com/@jamesbridle/something-is-wrong-on-the-internet-c39c471271d2" rel="nofollow">https://medium.com/@jamesbridle/something-is-wrong-on-the-internet-c39c471271d2</a></p> <p>NYT:<br /> <a href="https://mobile.nytimes.com/2017/11/04/business/media/youtube-kids-paw-patrol.html?_r=0&#038;referer=https%3A%2F%2Fmedium.com%2F%40jamesbridle%2Fsomething-is-wrong-on-the-internet-c39c471271d2" rel="nofollow">https://mobile.nytimes.com/2017/11/04/business/media/youtube-kids-paw-patrol.html?_r=0&#038;referer=https%3A%2F%2Fmedium.com%2F%40jamesbridle%2Fsomething-is-wrong-on-the-internet-c39c471271d2</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-pad-obsession#post-2784181 Sat, 04 Nov 2017 14:50:22 +0000 charlotte 2784181@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hey all. We have been having huge battles with our four year old son lately over the iPad. I'm at the point where I am ready to take it away for six months and then try again. Is that too extreme? </p> <p>We set a consistent time limit every day and make it part of his routine, yet every single day there is a huge fight when it is time to put it away. When he isn't playing with it he talks about it and whines all day until it is time. The breaking point was awful behavior at a birthday party today, because he wanted to go home and play with it. </p> <p>Has anyone else had this turn into such an issue and what did you do? We are basically just done and wish it was never invented. :bummed: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-other-kids-who-dont-watch-youtube-unboxing-videos#post-2778780 Tue, 10 Oct 2017 23:30:44 +0000 PinkElephant 2778780@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just curious - any other parents whose kids DO NOT watch YouTube videos of toy unboxings? This seems to be such a thing, both on HB and IRL, but my kids have never seen this type of video. They've never asked, and I have no idea if they'd even enjoy it for more than a few seconds. I've seen them (to preview toys the kids might want), and can see how the kids get totally sucked in! I'm not sure I want to encourage my kids to watch them, but I also don't want to be deliberately leaving them out of the loop socially, and don't think there's real harm in this genre of video. My parents were older, and growing up I always felts little clueless about pop culture - I don't want to do this to my kids! But honestly, they don't even really use YouTube- they use the PBS kids app, Netflix, or Amazon, so I'm not sure we really need to introduce YouTube.</p> <p>So, unboxing videos - do your kids watch them? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-age-for-star-wars#post-2774821 Thu, 21 Sep 2017 21:15:27 +0000 Corduroy 2774821@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD is 4.5 and starting to talk about Star Wars from school. She's asking to watch Star Wars. So far her screen time has been limited to Disney princesses, Goldie &amp; Bear, and Sesame Street. Yay or nay on Star Wars? I've never been able to stay awake through it (sorry, but true). DH is a fan. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/spinoff-favorite-spotify-kids-stationsplaylists#post-2767212 Fri, 11 Aug 2017 20:00:14 +0000 peaches1038 2767212@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Anyone have any good Spotify stations or playlists for kids music? We are about to embark on a 30 hour drive this week to move to our new city and I think DS (21 months) would like some kid tunes. Would soundtracks still be good even if he's never seen the movie? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/abc-mouse#post-2758048 Thu, 13 Jul 2017 12:25:57 +0000 travellingbee 2758048@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Anyone used it before? There is a free trial and I was thinking about it, but my husband is skeptical of letting them use the iPad. He's 4, but has had no use of digital games. DH is worried it's a can of worms the we shouldn't open yet... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-ipad-apps-without-in-app-purchases#post-2758576 Sat, 15 Jul 2017 07:26:08 +0000 gilmoregirl 2758576@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My 3 year old is driving me crazy with the shouting " mooooommmm it's not working" whenever he encounters an in app purchase. We put some apps on the iPad for him before his first flight, but it was over a year ago and we could stand to do some updating. </p> <p>What are your favorite/kids' favorite preschool iPad apps? They don't necessarily have to be free because it's in app purchases I'd like to avoid. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dh-and-ds-are-screen-addicts-how-do-you-limit-netflix#post-2757514 Wed, 12 Jul 2017 11:39:21 +0000 codeitall 2757514@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ok folks, we have a problem in my house. It is called Netflix and the 4 screens in our front room.</p> <p>We have a small apt, so DH has his computer in the front with two monitors. Most of the time, I can get DS to play outside with me, but if he isn't outside, he is sitting with Dad watching Netflix while DH browses Reddit or plays games.</p> <p>I know I married a gamer, but I'm really worried that my kids are all going to be screen addicts with speech delays because no one talks to them when I'm busy!</p> <p>I know I'm probably overreacting, but we've talked so many times about less screen time and last night DS was up til 11 watching Netflix! And he only went to bed because I got up (waking the cosleeping baby) and told him (and DH) that it was time for bed.</p> <p>What do I do to cut the screen time other than keeping him outside as long as I can stand it? How do you limit Netflix? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-your-childyou-seen-cars-3#post-2753615 Thu, 29 Jun 2017 18:57:32 +0000 travellingbee 2753615@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just saw it in the theater on Tuesday and I REALLY liked it! Way better than the 2nd and as good as the first I thought. Plus it is totally a female empowerment movie and I think girls would really like it since the second main character is a girl. Did you like it too? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-age-did-you-get-your-child-their-own-device#post-2750405 Wed, 21 Jun 2017 14:49:33 +0000 littlebug 2750405@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just as the title says. What age did you get your child their own device, and what did you get? Do you limit usage? </p> <p>I "gave" D my old cell phone around probably 3 years old. It has wi-fi only and I've downloaded a few select games. I keep it in the diaper bag and he only gets to use it when we're out and he needs a distraction - like sitting in my OB appointment while I'm getting a pelvic exam. :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/amazon-freetime-for-kids#post-2750135 Wed, 21 Jun 2017 09:37:09 +0000 snowjewelz 2750135@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Anyone has this subscription with the Fire tablet? Just saw Mrs Bee's post about this; I never knew about this! </p> <p>We area total Apple family, but I am so tempted to do this later on when we go on longer trips. No need to worry about wifi or he messing up something on my Ipad; everything is "approved", parental controls, and content goes up to age 12. I can see each of my girls having their own instead of each having an iPad and the fee is so cheap! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/streaming-kids-shows#post-2740476 Thu, 25 May 2017 20:55:55 +0000 travellingbee 2740476@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What streamed "original" programming do your kids like? We have liked a few of the Prime Original shows such as Creative Galaxy and Tumbleleaf. I think Netflix has a few but I haven't explored much. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tablet-recommendations-for-preschooler-and-parents#post-2739290 Tue, 23 May 2017 18:49:03 +0000 Foodnerd81 2739290@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a long drive coming up (like almost 8 hours each way, not including the billion breaks we will need to take). So I think this trip might be what pushes me over the edge to get a tablet of some sort for the family. We currently have laptops and iPhones, and an old school kindle, but no iPad or similar. </p> <p>So I'm looking for recommendations for a device that our almost 4 yo could use to watch shows/ movies as well as some interactive apps, but that DH and I could also use when we want. DH has been wanting a kindle or ereader, for example. We will often not be in wifi when we want to use it so I guess we need a reasonable amount of storage. Ideally not too expensive since we willbe letting a preschooler use it. </p> <p>What do you have and like? What apps do you like for this age? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leap-pad-apps#post-2727080 Thu, 20 Apr 2017 19:56:52 +0000 winniebee 2727080@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>T has been content with whatever materials and apps came on the leap pad but now he's asking me to download some new ones. I don't even know how he knows about this. Any good ones for 5 year olds? </p>