https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 11 Apr 2026 23:43:36 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/family-drinking-in-shared-spaces-around-kids#post-2928317 Sun, 06 Aug 2023 21:46:07 +0000 karenbme 2928317@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not sure if anyone is still here to see this, but I’m looking for other opinions. I have 3 siblings, 26, 33 and 42, none of whom have kids, and we all have access to a shared family camp. Two years ago the then 24 year old invited her friends over for beer pong and Jell-O shots explicitly when my then 20 month old was getting up from nap. I shut it down and said you can’t do that around a toddler. That was then interpreted as me saying no drinking ever at camp, which is not my position at all, and we’re in the process of talking through what’s ok and what’s not (again). All three siblings think there’s nothing wrong with beer pong around kids, comparing it to a sober friend at a party. Am I crazy in not wanting my curious 3 year old to be learning drinking games from her aunts and uncles, even if they have her play with lemonade??? It seems insane to me, but it’s the position they’ve all taken. They’ve also decided that since weed is legal in our state daytime smoking in shared outdoor spaces should also be totally fine no matter who’s around. I don’t care if they’re drinking, but I really don’t want my kid getting a contact high or playing drinking games at camp. Am I the only one totally horrified by these positions? This stuff seems like basic health and safety for kids to me, but the reaction I’m getting is that I’m a total killjoy for asking them to save it until bedtime.</p> <p>ETA: I should also note that I’m only there 2-3 weekends per summer so it’s not like they never have time to do whatever they want at camp. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-3-row-suvs#post-2927430 Tue, 30 Aug 2022 15:50:21 +0000 karenbme 2927430@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just wondering if anyone on here drives a three row SUV and whether you’d recommend your vehicle. My three top priorities are—room in the interior for 2 adults, 2 car seats, a 50lb dog and a cooler without crowding; some sort of hybrid (preferably plug in); towing capacity of 4000lb or more—in that order. The only vehicle I’ve found that hits all 3 is a Volvo XC90, and I can’t quite bring myself to spend 70k on one car. Currently I drive a Mazda CX-5, and it’s been great, but we’re trying to figure out how we’d do a camping trip with 2 kids and the dog in that or my husband’s VW station wagon. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-visiting-grandparents-on-their-own#post-2926892 Tue, 26 Apr 2022 11:45:43 +0000 bhbee 2926892@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If your parents live far away (because I think this is totally different if they live close) would your kids go and spend a week with their grandparent(s)? Like one kid by themselves? Or did you do so growing up?</p> <p>My mom keeps pushing me for this, especially for our 10 year old. We literally live on opposite ends of the country and I’m just not that comfortable with DD being that far away yet … I’m also not super comfortable with the worldview my mom has around the kids (although I think it’s not dangerous, it is stuff that bothers me like how she constantly talks about dieting and bodies and how she can’t eat anything, for one example - or another, DD tends to get a major attitude after being around her a lot). Also my mom lives alone, she’s older, what if something happened? I just feel better with it being a group thing. </p> <p>We already go visit several weeks in the summer as family vacation (in addition to going at holidays, other visits at our home, etc). I guess I’m trying to gauge whether I should just let my issues with it go or if it’s reasonable to say, visiting you is something we do as a family, and we can’t make a long visit to you if we also have to fit in weeks for the individual kids, it just doesn’t work for us. I feel like it would be so different if we were just a couple hours away too. </p> <p>I also don’t have a great frame of reference for this as my only grandparent who might have wanted this with me died when I was 8. DH and I each have one parent left and the kids would never stay with his dad. </p> <p>Sorry for the rambling but open to perspectives on this! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/check-in-and-update-thread#post-2926655 Mon, 11 Apr 2022 19:36:34 +0000 Chuckles 2926655@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Since @dillonlion: got us started, I thought we could do a check in thread. </p> <p>Pregnant?<br /> Kids:<br /> Done or hoping for more?<br /> My general location:<br /> If I could only have one dessert the rest of my life, it would be:<br /> Something I'm looking forward to:<br /> My secret talent is: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dealing-with-narcissistic-grandparents#post-2925212 Sat, 16 Oct 2021 17:50:06 +0000 karenbme 2925212@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’m looking for advice on how to handle narcissistic grandparents. My daughter is the only grandchild on my side and my Dad and Step Mom are very interested in having her in their lives, but often do things that feel inappropriate to us. For example, they made up their own nickname for her and not only refuse to call her her given name but get mad that we don’t call her the name they made up because it means she doesn’t always respond to it when they’re around.</p> <p>She turns two in a week and last year we didn’t do anything but this year we’re hosting grandparents on separate weekends. I mentioned to my parents that I was thinking about trying to make a cake in the shape of a turtle because DD loves animals and turtle seems like an easy animal to make. Well today they announced that they’re bringing a turtle cake when they come. Swooping in to make my daughter’s birthday cake without being asked or asking feels so far over the line. To date I’ve taken a laid back approach because more love is better than less, but come on. I know that if I speak up I’m going to be told that they were just trying to help and there’s only a problem because I’m causing one. Has anyone else dealt with anything like this? How did you handle it? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wedding-and-kids#post-2924671 Mon, 16 Aug 2021 20:40:32 +0000 LemonJack 2924671@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My MIL is getting married in September at her house. It’s an outdoor wedding, but I’m still worried about it because 80 people are invited, I know at least some are unvaccinated, and our three kids (all too young to be vaccinated) will be there. The food is going to be spread out inside.</p> <p>I’m super nervous about this. How do we make this even remotely okay for our kids? Clearly they will not step foot inside, but I’m still worried it’s not possible to social distance with that many people.</p> <p>Do we just bring them for the ceremony and then take them back to our hotel? Thoughts?!</p> <p>I know MIL is going to be heartbroken, but this just doesn’t seem safe. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fathers-day-plans-gifts#post-2924026 Wed, 09 Jun 2021 11:45:14 +0000 josina 2924026@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What have you got planned for Father's Day? </p> <p>I believe both DH and my dad will get getting Hey Dude's, but looking for a cute diy gift for them from the kids.<br /> We will probably celebrate early this Sunday with my dad and go strawberry picking/out for lunch.<br /> DH will probably most appreciate a day with zero plans. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anxious-about-third-baby-comingquestions#post-2923743 Wed, 12 May 2021 05:34:04 +0000 cake2017 2923743@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’m due in August and have two little ones.... moving, buying a house- working full time - all the good stuff. So anxious on how to adapt when baby comes... a few questions </p> <p>1) should I wear #3? especially when we are in the apartment going from car to apartment?<br /> recommend your carrier please???</p> <p>2). Pump. I was thinking about the Willow, wearable one for home and when I return to work in 8-9 months... thoughts, rumors, experiences????</p> <p>3) 2nd child has pacifier when she sleeps only- should we wean now? I haven’t spoken to the dentist yet....</p> <p>Anything else I can do to help ease this transition please share....</p> <p>TIA </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/air-travel-with-kids-this-summer#post-2923495 Wed, 21 Apr 2021 22:23:25 +0000 karenbme 2923495@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So my 17 month old has not met her great grandparents yet. They live in FL and we’re in the northeast. I’m getting a lot of pressure from family to commit to a visit this summer because they’re in their 90s (though everyone is as healthy as 90-somethings can be). But I don’t think it’s a good idea to bring my daughter to an airport/on a plane/to hotels until she’s vaccinated. We can get direct flights, but with all the air filtration, the plane itself seems much lower risk than the airport, hotel or rental car shuttle. Maybe if cases drop dramatically this summer, but i don’t think committing to something now is smart because as bad as it is now, it will be harder if we have to cancel. Am I crazy? Should I just give in? My nana is DYING to meet the baby. Are other people planning to fly with unvaccinated kids? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-children-and-weight#post-2918383 Wed, 19 Aug 2020 10:23:17 +0000 erinbaderin 2918383@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Growing up, my mom, a relatively thin woman, was always concerned about her weight. I have specific memories of her squeezing her belly and saying “ugh, I’m so fat, I need to go on a diet!” She and my dad frequently did things like the cabbage soup diet, etc. She’s still like this - they go on diets, she talks about being fat, I’ve been chastised for not noticing that my dad dropped 10 pounds and congratulating him. </p> <p>This, obviously, has affected me - I think a lot more than I would like to about my weight and the food I eat. </p> <p>I don’t want it to affect my boys, either in their own body images or in the way they think about weight and other people. But when we visit, my mom is still like this. “Oh, Nana will sit with you if she can get her big fat legs under the table!” etc. And then last weekend she was looking at my 6 year old and saying “oh, you can see all his bones! He’s so nice and slim! He’s not skinny, he’s just slim. How much does he weigh?” I was so uncomfortable but I didn’t know what to say, so I said nothing, but I’d like to be prepared better next time. That being said, my mom and I don’t have a super close relationship and she doesn’t respond well to perceived criticism, so I have to tread lightly. </p> <p>Has anybody been through this? Is it better to just try to change the subject when she raises it and continue to demonstrate healthy attitudes at home? Should I just say “We don’t weigh ourselves, we just try to eat the foods that make our bodies feel good and spend a lot of time outside” or some other kid-friendly message? Should I blow up and tell her she messed up my body image and I won’t let her do it to my kids? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-tell-child-regarding-toxic-family-members#post-2916339 Thu, 11 Jun 2020 16:47:18 +0000 charleysmom 2916339@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My husband and I made a decision to end a relationship with a toxic family member. After not speaking for years, we tried to make a relationship work but it recently became clear that this individual has not changed (refuses to take any responsibility, lying, gaslighting, etc). While I know this is the best decision, I need some advice on what to tell our 6 year old. She’s not extremely close to this person but I know there will definitely be questions. Any advice on what to say? I don’t want to badmouth anyone but how do I make a 6 year old understand that it’s just not healthy to have certain people in our lives? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cutting-family-ties#post-2901289 Fri, 01 Nov 2019 08:58:24 +0000 josina 2901289@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sorry for the long post! Basically ever since Mother's Day this year things with my MIL have gone downhill. She gets extremely jealous and is hyper sensitive about everything.<br /> Last month my DH called her out for spending more time with our nephew than our 2 kids which she got upset about even though it was all true. After a blowup between DH and his alcoholic brother, that relationship is over, and MIL said really nasty things about my DH who was trying to help, and caused even more family drama.</p> <p>At this point it is DH and his older brother vs. MIL and younger brother. When my BIL visited her house last week to see his visiting great aunt, she verbally assaulted him about how he never comes to see HER, doesn't bring the kids around, and physically grabbed my SIL blaming her for all their problems.</p> <p>DH is 100% ready to cut ties and has; just like he did with his dad 2 years ago. I have been trying to keep peace with her for our kids sakes but its just so awkward I never know where we stand.<br /> I have told her if she wants to see our kids that she can ask me anytime and in 3 weeks she hasn't asked once, but will send me sad emoji's saying that she misses them so much.</p> <p>Biggest issue - we live next door. </p> <p>I'm just not sure what to do at this point. I feel like I'd like the kids to have a relationship with their grandma and have it not be 'our' fault if they don't. Her attitude is she's done no wrong, she will not apologize to DH for her actions, and she will not talk to anyone unless we reach out to her first.<br /> I msg'd her yesterday about watching DS for an hour and ah half and she never answered, and yet I feel bad because we didn't bring the kids up to trick or treat. </p> <p>TL;DR: MIL has mental issues, do I/how do I cut ties? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/adult-only-receptionwhat-about-ceremony#post-2892586 Sun, 28 Jul 2019 18:58:17 +0000 SweetCaroline 2892586@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH's cousin is getting married. We have the save the date, it was addressed to Mr. And Mrs. SweetCaroline. The FAQs on the wedding website says "Are kids welcome? Unless specified on the invitation, this is an adult only reception."</p> <p>So...what does this mean for the ceremony? It is a Catholic mass and DD will be 5, is used to Catholic mass and very well behaved. (Though regardless of any of that, still trying to determine the couple's intentions) The wedding is several hours away and it would be lovely to make a family weekend out of it, attend the wedding and skip the ceremony. Especially since we both WOH FT and out family time is limited. BUT, is this a faux pas? Not trying to violate their wishes or stretch socially acceptable here, just genuinely curious how others would interpret this. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extended-family-etiquette#post-2887095 Fri, 07 Jun 2019 05:45:24 +0000 Becky 2887095@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is kind of a vent but also asking for some perspective if I’m in the wrong here. SO long, apologies. </p> <p>My DH’s extended family all lives in the town we live in, and he grew up here too. My parents moved here 3 years ago to be near one of their children. I didn’t grow up I’m striking distance of any extended family. It’s wonderful to have family all around and see them often. Twice recently though I’ve had my wrist slapped for not “inviting” someone to events. First one: I didn’t formally invite DH’s grandma (so my kids great grandma) to DD2’s 3rd bday party. We invited friends she explicitly asked to invite (2 of whom happen to be her first and second cousins), and her grandparents (who she also explicitly asked to invite). I didn’t think to invite great grandma, mostly because she was still in Florida when I sent the invites (we had exactly enough for friend invites, and invited grandparents by telling them) so she wasn’t on my mind when I literally reviewed the invite list with DH (she comes back at Easter, and DDs bday was on Easter, party 1 week later), and also because I hadn’t really planned to invite grandparents (it was more of a friend bday party). She was offended, passed on via MIL. This irks me because I feel like if there was someone I should have invited, MIL should have told me. We didn’t invite extended family to bday parties growing up so I explained that to her a little. </p> <p>Yesterday DD2 had her Kindergarten concert. The only reason my mom was there is because she was babysitting DD2 and picking DD1 up from school after the concert. My dad didn’t go (they’re married and live together and he knew about it). MIL knew about the concert because she saw a flyer and noted she couldn’t go because she is out of town, and in the past has always communicated events to FIL. I texted him yesterday before the concert to see if I could grab a costume from their house, and when I was there he asked about the concert and I just said “Yes, it’s just a Kindergarten concert.” It didn’t cross my mind to extrapolate as I was in transit to bring DD to school, bt in hindsight I probably should have picked up on the fact that MIL obviously didn’t tell him about it. Now he’s offended (via MIL), and she’s asked that I send a text to everyone about events like this. </p> <p>There are a few things at play for me. One, I feel like I should be able to invite whomever I want to to events. If I just wanted my nuclear family to go to a K concert, I think that should be ok and that it shouldn’t be a big deal if my mom is there because she was DDs transportation (note: this isn’t what actually happened, MIL was “invited” via seeing event flyer). Two, if MIL thinks certain people should be invited to specific events, I think she should tell me that when she herself is invited to the events (“Thanks for the invite, did you invite so and so?”). Third, I work 40+ hours a week, DH works 60, and I’m doing my hardest. Figuring out how to navigate extended family and friends and who to invite/not invite to events is obviously confusing, and if I misstep I feel like it’s not a huge deal and doesn’t warrant slapping me on the wrist via a text message. I feel like this is especially so because we also have a big friend group and sometimes just want to do something with them. </p> <p>If you made it through all that, what’s your perspective? Did I really mess up (I can take it!)? How do I talk to MIL about this (she’s gone for 3 weeks)? How do you navigate extended family? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-i-be-upset#post-2887350 Sun, 09 Jun 2019 09:17:33 +0000 cyoung 2887350@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So yesterday was my baby shower for baby number 3. My husbands sister came as expected with her son. They brought my son who is 2 (he has a speech delay and we are testing for autism) some toys that her son didn't play with anymore. Her son is going into the 4th grade and they buy him every toy he has ever asked for and more and she said had too many. (Which is totally fine. That just how they parent.) Well my son is OBSESSED with the Pixar Cars movies and they brought 3 small cars from the movie and two medium sized ones that light up and talk. Well they told us they were going though the play room and they were giving us some. We said thank you and my son played with them the whole party. The party was fun and nice and it went on with no issue. Toward the end I noticed my son was looking for his car toys.(the light up talking ones) I asked "where are your cars buddy?" My son didnt respond so I wasn't surprised. We are working in speech therapy but he isn't to that point yet. Well husband sister said something like "my son got it when he wasn't looking so micah wouldn't get upset" I had someone come up to me at that point and need my help so I didn't get to think about what she said.<br /> Later that night I realized they left the 3 tiny ones and took back the two light up ones my son really liked. I was just confused and realized they apparently only brought those to "show" my son. I'm kinda upset. We never asked for toys or anything for our kids from her and we appreciate the ones she did give us but I'm just super irritated that they pretty much teased my son with them and then took them away. Should I be upset?!?!<br /> My son actually was looking for them this morning and was saying "car" he normally doesn't do that so it just broke my heart for him. He really loved those cars. Maybe I'm just hormonal and pregnant. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-adapt-with-having-another-baby#post-2887483 Mon, 10 Jun 2019 13:48:38 +0000 cake2017 2887483@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi all,</p> <p>I’m due in August with baby -#2. LO will be 24 months. How did you adapt with managing both after coming home from the hospital? I’ll have help for about two weeks but I want to learn and grow by learning what will help to make things less stressful?</p> <p>How do you do bedtime routine. LO is in bed at 630pm. Bedtime routine starts at 6pm. Should I put LO2 down first or should LO go before her?</p> <p>I planning to set up changing areas on each level of the home. LO will go to school part time in the fall. I also have a few things from the first pregnancy that we can use like a pack n play, boppy, carrier etc so my hands can be free to play with LO and do things. </p> <p>I’d love to hear thoughts, feedback etc. TIA </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/response-to-older-sibling-wanting-to-be-the-baby#post-2882395 Sun, 28 Apr 2019 18:15:58 +0000 magnolia 2882395@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are expecting #2 in a few weeks</p> <p>I’ve been slowly setting up baby items around the house (bassinet, swing, etc). My son really wanted to get in the swing. I let him put his baby doll in it and swing her. Today we had the stroller bassinet on the floor and he climbed in and started fake crying. We pretended he was the baby for awhile. It was actually really cute and funny. But I’m not sure how to respond? Obviously when baby comes he won’t be able to get in with her... I want to validate his feelings about wanting to be the baby while also keeping the baby safe </p> <p>Anyone have experience with this? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/family-calendar-system#post-2877588 Thu, 21 Mar 2019 16:16:53 +0000 nwm 2877588@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>between our littler one being ready to do a few classes/activities and the older one swapping between 2 or maybe 3 summer camps this summer, i want to come up with a system to create a printable family calendar that i can modify as needed and then hang up so DH, grandparents, nanny, etc, can easily see what the schedule is on any given day. does anyone have a good system for this--are there fillable forms that you're aware of for this type of thing? or apps that have an option to print out a calendar? thanks in advance! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/estate-planning-at-what-age-should-you-kids-receive-their-share#post-2876571 Thu, 14 Mar 2019 14:54:16 +0000 Shantuck 2876571@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm working my way through big life decisions this week (first my car situation from my post on Monday) and now my estate planning. We had trust agreements drawn up by a lawyer which provide that if my husband and I die, then the trustee of our estate would pay for things that are in the best interest of the children until such time that the youngest child turns 25. After the youngest child turns 25, the trustee would divide the estate into equal shares that are paid to the children as follows: (1) one third after 25 years of age; (2) one half after 30 years of age; and (3) the balance after age 35. I guess my question is whether you would agree with those arbitrary ages. I'm assuming the trustee would deem their education (college, grad school, etc.) to be in their best interest. Do you think there is a good reason to delay the final payment until age 35? Would it make more sense to do 1/2 at 25 and 1/2 at 30? I just think that in my own life, the money would have been much more helpful at 25 or 30 when I was saving to buy a house rather than at 35. I think that if your kids aren't financially responsible at age 30, then maybe that's just who they are... Just curious as to what others think... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-decide-where-to-raise-your-family#post-2871497 Tue, 12 Feb 2019 00:21:06 +0000 codeitall 2871497@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Like many people, I went to college in a larger place than my hometown and kind of just stayed there. DH is still doing school and there are lots of nice high paying jobs.</p> <p>However, I have kids now. And the schools aren't great. And there isn't much diversity. And there's terrible air pollution certain times of year.</p> <p>So I naturally thought about moving back home to be by family and good schools. But nowadays the west coast has terrible pollution the whole month of August from forest fires and my hometown... isn't very diverse. But the biggest kicker is that there aren't ANY jobs in my line of work. I've been watching listings for a year.</p> <p>So if I moved back home, I'd need to be mostly remote with some travel, or I'd need to be a SAHM (which I've kind of thought about doing), but I'd have my parents nearby to chip in as needed and they'd have better relationships with the grandkids).</p> <p>I'm just having a terrible time weighing all the things that factor in to where you live.</p> <p>How did you decide where to live? Are you planning on moving? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dealing-with-my-parents-vent#post-2865107 Sat, 05 Jan 2019 14:57:41 +0000 peaches1038 2865107@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’m visiting my parents this week who are generally pretty great but they do question and undermine me. Example 1: I still have DS rearfacing at just over 3 yo. He weighs 35 lbs so he is well within the limits. My dad says stuff all the time about how uncomfortable he must be or how we are preventing him from seeing while we are driving (like what?! That one doesn’t even make sense but whatever). Well this trip, I didn’t bring my car seat bc I am traveling solo with my son as DH had a work thing and had to stay behind last minute. So my parents graciously bought a car seat but when they installed it, it literally moved at least 7 inches side to side. I refused to let my son ride in it like that and spent an hour (with my engineer brother in law) trying to fix it with no luck. Meanwhile my mother is saying “it’s fine, I’ll just lean into it and hold it steady. “ ARE YOU SERIOUS?! Like WTF?! So I went and bought a new one and now they are all huffy that I’m being dramatic and an overbearing mother. Example 2: DS asked for a cookie and I told him no and my dad told me shut up (in a “joking” tone, but still) and gave it to him anyway. I was so dumbfounded I didn’t even know what to say. Ughhhhhhhhhhhhh. We haven’t even been here 24 HOURS 😫😫😫</p> <p>I’m sure you all have stories like this too so join me in venting!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whooping-cough-booster#post-2842947 Fri, 31 Aug 2018 18:55:37 +0000 Chuckles 2842947@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Has anyone heard that there is a new recommendation to get a whooping cough booster after 5 years as an adult if you're going to be around a baby? My bro and SIL are asking us to get the booster to be around their baby (even though we're only going to see him monthly or so) when we both got the vaccine when I was pregnant about 5 years and 3 months ago. The only thing I can find online is 10 years, if anything. We're going to do it, of course, since it couldn't hurt. I just wasnt in a rush about it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/grandparentsvisitors-kissing-a-newborn#post-2840504 Sun, 19 Aug 2018 09:44:10 +0000 crazydoglady 2840504@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My sister had her baby a couple weeks ago and I traveled there with my parents (which you should not do when you are 35 weeks pregnant 😂.) Anyway, at the start of the visit, I told my parents we should wash our hands before holding baby and not kiss the baby. Especially since my mom frequently gets cold sores (though she didn't have an outbreak right then.) They were fine with the handwashing but were still kissing the baby on the head by the end of the visit. I didn't push it, of course, because it's not my baby and my sister was right there. When we were leaving, they asked if they could come visit me and the baby in the hospital. I said yes, but that they would not be kissing the baby unlike this visit. They said they misunderstood. 🤷<br /> This isn't an unreasonable/unrealistic expectation, right? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/no-contact-with-in-laws-or-parents#post-2832342 Thu, 05 Jul 2018 10:48:40 +0000 Sams Mom 2832342@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We went no contact with my in laws last fall after a slew of problems. If you went no contact with 1 or more grandparent, how did you explain it to your children when they asked about grandma or grandpa? Has anyone made contact again after going no contact?</p> <p>So my son isn't quite old enough to start asking questions, but I'm sure that time is coming sooner than later; and if we take guardianship of then adopt my 8 year old cousin she might have questions too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/highly-sensitive#post-2828349 Thu, 14 Jun 2018 07:36:40 +0000 lunalove20 2828349@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Lately I find myself so sensitive to everything and seem to be bothered by little things. It is really getting old -- I don't want to let things bother me so much and just let them go. Can anybody else relate?? Not sure if it is just hormones or lack of sleep lol </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anatomically-correct-terms#post-2823005 Wed, 16 May 2018 21:55:17 +0000 mrsbubbletea 2823005@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Do you teach your kids vagina or vulva? I have been saying vulva because I want to be accurate but I haven't really seen anyone else say that, and I got curious! To add to the detail, it particularly seems more accurate because so far it's been for my son in comparison of himself and his baby sister. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wwyd-spacing#post-2804369 Thu, 15 Feb 2018 08:19:50 +0000 Becky 2804369@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We’re 97% sure we’re going for baby #3, and are considering the timing. I’m leaning towards next spring-summer when DD1 would be 5.5-6 and finishing up kindergarten, and DD2 would be 3-3.5. DH is leaning toward the following year, which I had initially wanted also. My reasoning for doing it sooner is I don’t want to drag it out and complicate things by having kids who are far apart in school and thus doing very different activities and potentially having very different schedules. I was also 6.5 years apart from my sister and annoyed her so much, that I would prefer to have them closer (maybe head fight, but at least the title one wouldn’t constantly embarrass the big one). I also work full time if that makes a difference. Opinions? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dangerously-mindless#post-2801161 Wed, 31 Jan 2018 20:07:18 +0000 Alba4 2801161@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have had 2 dangerous situations in the last month happen with our parents. My mom watches my DS2 (19 months) one day a week and my ILs watch both boys (DS2 is 4) one day a week. </p> <p>A few weeks ago my husband found a rogue pill on the floor of our living room. Turned out to be FIL’s blood pressure med. We were obviously upset by his carelessness and talked with both sets of parents and discussed storage safety, etc. </p> <p>Tonight my husband found ANOThER pill on the floor next to toys in the living room! WTF? My husband texted a pic to my mom. She said it wasn’t hers. My ILs deny it is theirs. My husband researched what it is online and it is for a condition my mom has. Double WTF?!?! Why would my mom deny it?</p> <p>Has anyone been in this situation? This is extremely serious in my opinion. I feel like our parents can’t handle this simple responsibility. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-feel-weird-about-this-bday-situation#post-2800249 Sat, 27 Jan 2018 17:52:23 +0000 DesertDreams88 2800249@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Tomorrow we are celebrating LO1's 2-yr bday - birthday breakfast, church, family nap, then early-evening bday celebration at a park with cake, presents, and friends (yay AZ, it's 80 degrees). FIL &amp; BIL are coming the bday party tomorrow but MIL is going to her church program instead - she runs a program every Sunday night. I think it's a *little* weird she can't ask anyone to take over for one night, but whatever, I'm a teacher, I know trusting someone to "sub" is hard. </p> <p>What are we doing today, on LO's actual bday? Well, I had 2 non-kid-friendly events I was invited to today plus a bunch of other "to do" items, and DH's brother was in town which is rare, so DH took LO1 for the day to spend time with MIL, FIL, and BIL. I'm getting the day off to do all my "adult" stuff and since I'm 36-wks pregnant, my ability to play with / chase a toddler is a bit limited anyway.</p> <p>DH texts me telling me that MIL &amp; FIL bought a bday cake, sang LO happy birthday, and gave him presents today. All without me there. Is that weird?</p> <p>I'm not bothered but def. a bit weirded out. FWIW, MIL &amp; FIL are our regular M-F babysitters. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sibling-adjustments#post-2798298 Fri, 19 Jan 2018 14:25:48 +0000 Becky 2798298@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For those of you with 3 or more kids, how did subsequent added siblings affect your older children? I have no concern about DD2–she’d be a good middle sibling if we decided to add a third. Our oldest though didn’t adjust great to DD2 and I’m concerned how a baby would impact her. She’s be nice to the baby, but she is pretty possessive of my time. She’d be 6-7 if we had a third (still up in the air). </p>