https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 08 Apr 2026 05:31:48 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/books-for-discipline-for-young-children#post-2926997 Thu, 05 May 2022 09:49:53 +0000 CatchAFallingStar 2926997@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am way too lenient with my three daughters, age 2, 4 and 7. They often do things like throw things at me, hit me, jump off of things, run around the house when I ask them not to. Stand on things that I ask them not to. They seem to purposely delay when it's time to go somewhere and we're running late. They make messes and don't clean them up. </p> <p>The only forms of "discipline" I use is threatening time out (which never actually happens), threatening to tell Dad (which sometimes happens) or threatening to cancel a fun planned event (which very rarely happens). </p> <p>I need a book or some other resources to help me understand how to take charge without emotionally hurting them. I hate to make them cry. I hate it when I lose my cool and yell. I just don't know what to do. I'm afraid too much discipline will make me lose their love. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/parents-of-littles-how-are-you-handling-the-vaccine-news#post-2925865 Wed, 22 Dec 2021 20:50:01 +0000 karenbme 2925865@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just wanted to check in with everyone about how you’re responding to the news that the first vaccine trials for 2-5 year olds failed combined with omicron being so much more transmissible. </p> <p>Personally, I’m really struggling. My 2 year old has risk factors for severe disease, and I felt so good about the possibility of keeping her safe until there was a vaccine that could help her. But now I have no idea how long that will be. We can cut out most exposure, but have to keep her in daycare. All the adults (parents and staff) are vaccinated, but even with an 86% vaccine rate, my county has more cases than ever right now. I want to focus on Christmas, but I’m just so distracted by worry. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-your-kid-is-patient-zero#post-2925182 Mon, 11 Oct 2021 20:23:12 +0000 lady baltimore 2925182@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My LO has COVID (according to a rapid test at her pediatrician's office this morning). She has symptoms of a mild-average cold, and generally has a strong immune system, so I am not too worried at the moment. But I feel SO BAD about the effect on her school, teacher, and classmates.</p> <p>LO went to the school nurse on Friday afternoon complaining of a sore throat. The nurse looked her over, gave her some water, and sent her back to class. She emailed me, and I said we would keep an eye on it over the weekend. By Sunday, LO had a runny nose and intermittent cough, so we decided to keep her home and take her to the ped today. Logically, I know that we couldn't have done anything differently to keep some of her classmates from counting as close contacts, and now having to quarantine, but I still feel AWFUL. Has anyone else dealt with this? How big a gift card should I send her teacher?</p> <p>Also, it is killing me that we got SO CLOSE to getting her vaccinated! Eff this effing virus! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/support-for-parents-of-kids-with-anxiety#post-2922844 Mon, 08 Mar 2021 17:31:21 +0000 lindseykaye 2922844@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My older DD (8yo) has anxiety and is currently in treatment (medication and therapy). It's been a tough couple weeks. We had a learning evaluation done and are waiting for the report. To summarize the post-eval call, there do not appear to be any learning disorders at the root of some specific school problems we're trying to figure out. Managing her anxiety better will help the school issues, and until then there's not much she can help us with through her services. She also strongly suggested that we begin the process to get accommodations for school next year and that we should look at continuing a small-setting private school vs. entering the public school system next year like we planned. Another suggestion was to talk with her therapist about increasing the frequency of her sessions, and she kept saying she thinks there may be "something else" going on vs. generalized anxiety but I couldn't get anything specific from her on the phone. </p> <p>Well, DH and I are feeling really REALLY alone and sad right now. We are trying our best but I have no idea how to navigate this and we don't have anyone we know who has been there that we can talk to about it either. I keep coming back to the evaluator's comments about "something else" and find myself worrying about what that means. She's backlogged so it'll be about 3 weeks until we get the report.</p> <p>I scheduled a call to check-in with her therapist Wednesday ahead of her Thursday session (we discussed the eval prior to it). I'll ask her about increasing her sessions and trying to add a family session monthly - these were pushing us backwards when we tried at the start. </p> <p>Does anyone have advice about support for us as parents while we navigate all this? Groups, websites, instagram accounts? We don't have any IRL friends whose kids have been through this, and no experience inside our families. Google has been less than helpful. Thanks for listening :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-defiant-6-year-old#post-2919498 Sun, 11 Oct 2020 20:25:21 +0000 LemonJack 2919498@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My oldest has been a bit more challenging since birth. She has a very strong personality and is incredibly stubborn. Despite the fact that we aren’t pushovers, and are pretty firm, she pushes all boundaries and has a way of making me feel like a complete rookie at this parenting thing. She’s six now, and the last few months her behavior has been really exhausting. She’s much more defiant and combative, and I feel like I’m turning into a more reactive and angry parent as a result, which I definitely don’t want. It’s a cycle.</p> <p>We allowed her to play at a friend’s house last week, which was a big deal since we’ve been so careful due to Covid. When she was told it was time to pick up, she just looked at my friend’s husband and calmly told him, “No”. </p> <p>I’ve told her she won’t be going back over there anytime soon and it’s because of that. She was warned ahead of time that she had to be a listener.</p> <p>At home, a lot of what happens is minor stuff; needing to be asked multiple times to do things, etc. But she digs her heels in and is so defiant that it’s difficult to know what to do. I’m sure part of this is that she’s home right now full time, which isn’t easy. </p> <p>I’m feeling a little defeated at the moment. Any suggestions? I worry that not breaking this cycle will just cause more issues, and I also worry about its affect on her relationship with her sister. Our younger daughter is the complete opposite personality wise, and although I am careful not to compare them, it’s clear she picks up on differences in how we react to them and things they do. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/testing-limits#post-2915189 Mon, 11 May 2020 06:55:52 +0000 LKsmom 2915189@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Looking for some advice on our 5 year old's most recent behavior...</p> <p>We have taught her words like stupid, hate, dumb, etc. are not acceptable to use or say to someone because they are hurtful. For the longest time, she would say them regardless, and I think that was the start of her testing limits. We told her we didn't want to hear those words and she needed to think about what she was saying before she said it. Now, instead of using the word in context, she says "I was about to say 'stupid' but I stopped myself." She does this multiple times a day. It is like she is obsessed with saying the words in any way she can.</p> <p>She does this with things she knows she is not supposed to do, too. She will either do them and then tell us she did it, or she will tell us she thought about doing it but she didn't.</p> <p>I feel like she is so "negative" lately... meaning, she wants to say and do the things she is not supposed to. I have tried explaining why we tell her not to do those certain things (it hurts others feelings, it keeps you safe, etc.) so there is meaning behind our rules, but it really doesn't seem to help. Anyone have any advice? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/early-waking-in-preschooler#post-2914911 Mon, 04 May 2020 06:30:18 +0000 MrsADS 2914911@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I will preface this by saying that we are seeing a sleep medicine specialist and a child psychologist.</p> <p>My son (age 4, will be 5 in August) has always been a bad sleeper but it has gotten SIGNIFICANTLY worse in the last few months. He regularly wakes for the day at 3:30-4am, and he is EXHAUSTED. He refuses to nap and go back to sleep, just screams and cries. NOTHING. WORKS. As you might imagine, his behavior is horrific because he's so tired. He is super aggressive with his little brother, ignores everything we say to the point of danger. He's not like this when he's well rested (which is unfortunately almost never).</p> <p>He is dealing with some anxiety we're trying to address and we think he may have ADHD. It's like he wakes up and he is so amped up he can't settle himself back to sleep. </p> <p>(another note - he did have sleep apnea and he's had his tonsils and adenoids removed already.) </p> <p>Anyone else dealing with this? Of course it's hell for me getting no sleep, but developmentally it's so bad for him. I'm super worried. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-for-helping-a-child-with-growing-anxiety#post-2911231 Fri, 06 Mar 2020 10:07:03 +0000 MLE81 2911231@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A friend/neighbour recently shared that her 5 year old DD is becoming increasingly anxious about germs/getting sick, but also thinks she is going to “get in trouble” and be yelled at (not by her parents but other adults she may encounter). Apparently she has been crying at school regularly, but my friend said she doesn’t find her daughter’s teachers overly supportive.<br /> Any advice for my friend, or resources (books, websites) that might be helpful?<br /> TIA!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/struggling-majorly-with-almost-6-year-old#post-2908553 Fri, 17 Jan 2020 17:22:39 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 2908553@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’m not sure how to get into everything without making this long but I’ll try to keep it as short as possible. </p> <p>Basically, I could have written this post any day over the past three years about my sons behaviour. He’s getting worse. </p> <p>He is good at school. Anxious at times but very well behaved, occasionally is “silly” with some of his friends but he’s very sweet there and seems to be doing well. </p> <p>At home he’s... terrible? Mean? I’m not sure. He is completely miserable. Constantly hitting and punching his siblings (dd is 3.5 and ds2 is 1.5). Screams at us constantly that he hates us. </p> <p>Today he punched my daughter so hard in the back because she was playing with a toy he wanted. I sent him to his room. On the way he screamed that he hates me, I am the worst mom, and that he never even wanted me as his mom. </p> <p>This sort of things happens every day, multiple times. He is prone to these ridiculous outbursts. I do not enjoy taking him places because we live in a small gossiping town and it’s mortifying the way he acts sometimes. </p> <p>If I am alone with him (no siblings around) he’s a completely different, nice, polite kid. But he wAkes up almost every day wanting to push buttons and it starts again the second I get him from school. </p> <p>I try to ignore the behaviours, have limits, threats, bribes.. nothing is working. I am miserable and sitting on my kitchen flooring crying while I eat a cookie. </p> <p>To complicate matters my husband leaves early in the morning for work and it isn’t uncommon for him to get home around 7pm. </p> <p>Any advice would be appreciated. I feel like we need a parenting resent. My daughter is the sweetest little thing and so helpful and nice so I feel like I’m doing something right. But clearly things have gone off the walls with my son and it’s killing me.</p> <p>ETA: re sleep and food, he eats well and he sleeps from approx 730pm-630am </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-screwed-up#post-2908881 Thu, 23 Jan 2020 16:58:51 +0000 macintosh 2908881@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I signed my kid of for full day kinder next year but missed the deadline to submit the deposit. Yes they charge for full day in my district and it sucks. The b***** registrar called to tell me I missed the deadline and I’m at the bottom of the list now. How bout a call/email before the deadline lady? I’m so mad and this process...and myself 😩 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-hellobee#post-2902877 Tue, 19 Nov 2019 16:07:11 +0000 mrsbubbletea 2902877@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My phone wouldn’t let me go on hellobee all yesterday and half of today for some reason and I thought it got shut down!! I don’t post that much because I am usually too lazy to type on my phone but I usually look at the boards at least once a day and I was so sad without it yesterday! Just wanted to say :heart: to this community. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/rant-rant#post-2901833 Fri, 08 Nov 2019 09:29:46 +0000 smuckers 2901833@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I got less than 4 hours of sleep last night so please forgive me if I miss words or misspell words or don't make sense. Baby nursing + insomnia due to anxiety = tired. </p> <p>Life is kind of shit right now. Well, it's not but it is. My husband is an amazing, kind, patient stay at home dad who also has depression. And you know what his major trigger is right now? Trump. He watches news shows and reads articles about what's happening and gets so upset. I tell him to put it away, just turn it off, and I get a "THATS EXACTLY WHAT WE CAN'T DO. PEOPLE NEED TO BE INFORMED OF THE BULLSHIT THAT IS HAPPENING." He's not wrong. I'm also not wrong. It's a no-win situation. </p> <p>So husband is depressed. Kids are great, but also. My 2.5 year old is just SO VERY 2 (tantrums! so many tantrums!), probably because I only really see her for an hour every evening before bedtime and for half of the week I am cooking dinner during that time (the other half DH cooks). 3 month old is an adorable lumpkin who wants to nurse non-stop. And pulls and chomps and my nipples just hurt so badly. It's probably a bad latch, but I don't know what to do to correct it. I've started wearing a nipple shield again. I did with my daughter for a year, and it was just so nice to not have to this time. </p> <p>Usually we would depend on our moms for some help when we were having a hard time. But, both of them are having equally terrifying health crises at the moment. His mom has a 100% clogged carotid artery, but failed her stress test so can't have surgery, but might need surgery anyway to prevent a stroke/heart attack? Who knows. Waiting on her cardiologist to schedule something. My mom was diagnosed last week with stage 3 ovarian cancer, has already had 1 surgery, and starts chemo next week. Both of us care close to both of our mothers.</p> <p>Then there's me. 3 months postpartum. Might have had PPD with my 2 year old around nowish, but impossible to tell due to circumstances at that time. Might have PPD this time around, but impossible to tell due to circumstances at this time. Got the Mirena IUD 2 weeks ago so could be that (Nexplanon played a huge role in my anxiety last postpartum period). Love my kids, love my husband, no plans to do anything to harm anyone, including myself. Just sad and anxious all the time. And before you say so, yes, I've tried to mention it to my doctor, and kind of get brushed off as "that's pretty normal postpartum, let us know if it gets worse". And because #America, I don't have any PTO left after my maternity leave, so literally cannot take any time off to try to mentally recharge without costing us money / risking a write up at my job, which provides our only income. </p> <p>Did I mention that we're also selling our condo and buying a house? And that that's been in the works for months, before all this crazy? And it's a seller's market for condos in our area, so really now is the time? We put in a contingent offer on an amazing little place that would be perfect for our forever home. It needs some work but honestly we fell in love. Got news last night that, SURPRISE, the reason the owner is selling is because the bank threatened to take back the house. Apparently it's been on the market long enough that they started that process and the homeowner has now lost the ability to say yes or no to our offer, and the bank needs to decide if they're going to accept or not. That could be great for us, or could be bad for us. Just one more thing to be anxious about. Best case scenario, they tell the owner "Cool, ok to accept this offer and just get it out of our hair ASAP". Worst case, they say "we'll handle this" and then drag their feet (as banks are wont to do) and we sell the condo quickly and end up without residence for a few days/weeks/months. When we initially talked about listing, my mom offered that we could stay with her for any time we were without residence. That's now off the table (because, you know, CHEMO). </p> <p>On top of that, my family is MESSY. My husband really, honestly does try, but most clutter is just invisible to him. And the house needs to be kept "show" ready for people who want to see the condo. I have a list for him of the day-to-day stuff he needs to do before a showing, which he's great at handling, but honestly the big stuff? That's on me. While I work 40 hours a week and nurse a baby and love on a toddler who JUST WANTS MAMA PLEEEAAASSSEEE MAMA PLEEAASSEEE. DH will do whatever I ask him to do but sometimes asking him and explaining what needs to be done is literally just as much work as just doing it and I usually do a better job anyway, so I'm just going to expel that energy doing it instead of delegating. </p> <p>Thank you for reading this wall of text. I think just needed to get it out somewhere. Because this is A LOT. A LOT is going on in my life and most of it sucks. </p> <p>TLDR: Life is a lot right now. Good God I need some sleep. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-need-advice#post-2896185 Thu, 05 Sep 2019 21:25:21 +0000 Anon-a-bee 2896185@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ok, so I'm a regular on HB, just need anonymity for the sake of my friend.</p> <p>So my friend's son (A) is about 18 months older than my son (H). A has been fired from 2 daycares in about a 4 month span. It is all behavior related, she was constantly being called at work to come get him because he had hit, thrown, spit, screamed incessantly, etc. she was still fairly new at work and was worried about being fired (also missing some work getting arrangements made for a new place due to divorce.)</p> <p>So while they were looking for new child care arrangements I talked to my sitter and she agreed to watch him along with H at my house. Our sons had played together before and got along well. A is a very very very smart child, and I thought maybe (along with some potential issues) was getting bored or needed more one on one than centers could provide.</p> <p>In the meantime she has taken him for evaluation for any kind of disorders. The psychiatrist (I think? It was at a behavioral health center), said he believes H is ADHD, but they can't? or won't? diagnose or medicate until he's 5 (few months away). They recommended therapy and a center geared towards children with higher needs. </p> <p>She has applied to get him in a couple places, but haven't really heard anything back yet in the 3 1/2 weeks A has been at our house. </p> <p>Well my son is not having it anymore. He doesn't want A to come over anymore, cries at night about it. Says A is mean to him and teases him, calls him names, etc. I know some of it is H hasn't ever really had to share with others longer than a long weekend with his cousins, but the baby sitter does say she has to split them up frequently over squabbles and A is relentless with H sometimes. Also my son is picking up on some of A's mannerisms, and I am not having it.</p> <p>So here is my predicament. I do NOT want to "fire" him from my house. She's already struggling, thinking she's a bad mom because they've had so many issues, they're divorcing (even thought that is not the sole issue like her ex likes to make them think), and I can't bring myself to cause her more pain and grief. </p> <p>BUT I can't stand that my son is being teased so much, and isn't happy in his own home. I know my son comes first. I just feel so terrible. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/major-fail#post-2894023 Thu, 08 Aug 2019 20:11:59 +0000 lady baltimore 2894023@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I feel so bad, I just need to vent! :bummed: </p> <p>LO was trying to climb in her closet last weekend, and she fell and scraped her ribs. It looked like rug burn at the time, but I covered it with a big bandage because I thought it might be uncomfortable rubbing against her clothes. LO tends to wear band-aids until they just about fall off, and though I mentioned once or twice that we would have to take it off soon, I didn't think much about it. This evening, one corner of the bandage was loose, and I could see that the skin was irritated, so I ripped it off after bath time. It looks SO MUCH WORSE, red and raw and weepy! I guess the big bandage kept it all sealed up, and it just looked terrible. We lubed her up with antibacterial ointment and wrapped it in gauze, but I feel so awful that I didn't change the bandage sooner. If it doesn't look much improved in the morning, I am calling her pediatrician to see if we need oral as well as topical infection prevention.</p> <p>Anyone else want to make me feel better and tell me how you basically injured your own child? :crying: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/5-year-old-wont-go-anywhere-without-me#post-2892715 Mon, 29 Jul 2019 16:18:42 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 2892715@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Could use some advice!</p> <p>My son turned 5 in March. I’ve stayed home with him since he was born. He went to twice a week preschool (9am-1130) from age 2.5 until 4.5 when full day kinder starts here. </p> <p>He started struggling at preschool just before he turned 4. He would scream and cry at drop off. Say he was going to barf, etc. It all started the week I told him I was pregnant with number 3 and his sister joined him at preschool (in a different class). </p> <p>We worked through the issues with school with his awesome teachers and went to some therapy type place which helped him with his breathing etc to work through some anxiety. </p> <p>He improved a lot once DS2 was born. He started school in September without issue and was happy to go until the last month or so. </p> <p>He started crying at drop off again in June. He won’t do any sport unless my husband or myself are participating with him. He won’t go to a drop off party or a play date. His best friend came for a play date last week and he’s supposed to go there this week but is now refusing because he doesn’t want to go without me. </p> <p>He’s a pretty challenging kid at home - emotional, hits his siblings. But if my husband or I are one on one with him, he’s incredibly well behaved and a joy to be around. He’s good at school - on the report card on the last day of school there was some issues mentioned we wish we had known sooner. Mainly that he “lacks confidence” and that he can’t sit still and stay on task sometimes. </p> <p>Any one else have a sensitive/emotional kid like this? Specifically a first born boy? Someone once mentioned to me he’s very typical first born boy. And I would add to that he’s a very typical first born boy who has a stay at home mom, haha. </p> <p>Looking how to get him over the hump for doing things on his own. He immediately starts bawling and making a huge scene if we try to make him do things without us (like we will be 10 feet away watching but he wants us closer). </p> <p>Any tips or resources appreciated. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/4-year-old-with-anxiety#post-2890185 Sat, 06 Jul 2019 13:41:00 +0000 castilrm 2890185@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi all! I’m wondering if anyone here has experience with parenting a young child (4 years old) with anxiety? Our 4 year old daughter has always been sensitive and prone to tantrums over fairly small events and discomforts. I was hoping the tantrums would improve as she got older but they actually seem to be increasing in frequency and intensity. I’m sure some of it is normal growing pains in that she’s seeking ways to find more control over things she’s asked to do. But she’s consistently the only kid in soccer, dance class, swim, etc that bursts into tears over being asked to do something new or different. She’s okay in environments she’s comfortable in like her regular classroom but any new classes can be a recipe for disaster especially if it’s a class in which parents cannot participate with her. I’m starting to think there is some sort of anxiety/panic disorder underlying some of her reactions. If this was an issue for your child, how did you determine whether it was ordinary childhood behavior versus something more? And what methods did you use to help your child? Thanks in advance - </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/embarassing-parenting-moments#post-2884016 Fri, 10 May 2019 12:23:59 +0000 josina 2884016@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Anyone have any embarrassing parenting moments?!</p> <p>I'll share mine below. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/triumphfail-of-the-week#post-2874655 Sat, 02 Mar 2019 22:04:48 +0000 lady baltimore 2874655@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have been catching up on the Mom &amp; Dad Are Fighting Podcast, so that inspired the title of this post, but I needed to confess about a fail from this afternoon.</p> <p>LO (3) and I were at the library until closing time. We were in line at the machine to pay for the parking garage, and when it was our turn, LO was trying to help. I let her put one of the tickets in, but was also rushing her along because I was aware of the line behind us. All of a sudden, a young woman stepped up next to me and started reprimanding me, saying, "can you please be nice to her?!" I quickly realized that this young lady had some sort of intellectual impairment, and took no offense at what she was saying, but I also froze up. She kept admonishing me, and I just kept focusing on LO and on finishing the payment process as quickly as possible. A man behind me (possibly her father or brother) was trying to get the woman to stop talking to us, and at one point I heard him say, "you're embarrassing me!" I still didn't engage with them, just completed our transaction and headed to the garage. I was immediately and still am so regretful that I didn't talk to either the young woman or to the man with her. To her, I could have explained that I wasn't cross with LO, but was trying to teach her to be respectful of others who are waiting. More importantly, to him, I could have explained that he need not be embarrassed, that I work with neurodiverse students and understand the need for increased teaching around social norms. I had the opportunity to engage with and ease the concerns of two different people and I biffed it. That is my fail of the week.</p> <p>On the plus side, I have activated LO's interest in show tunes, and the sound of her little voice chirping along to "All That Jazz" from the backseat of the car is everything right now. Triumph.</p> <p>What are your triumphs and fails from this week? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-buttons-and-what-do-you-do-when-your-buttons-are-pushed#post-2871713 Wed, 13 Feb 2019 08:45:15 +0000 irene 2871713@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I read a quote yesterday:</p> <p>"When children press your buttons they are not responsible for the buttons that are there."<br /> - Dr. Louise Porter<br /> "Our buttons are our reliable guide to what we need to deal with in our own journey to wholeness."</p> <p>What are your "buttons", and how to you stay calm and ride it when your LOs pushes them? I need advice on how to stay calm, not get angry, and handle it calmly and correctly. For me it is a forever (losing) battle. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/4-yo-tummy-hurts-might-be-due-to-stress-at-home#post-2869217 Mon, 28 Jan 2019 12:24:54 +0000 Mrs. Pajamas 2869217@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My 4yo DD has been waking around 6am for the past week crying and complaining of her "tummy hurting". She usually sleeps until 7:30 and always been a fantastic/deep deep sleeper. At first we just thought she was hungry (she is not a big dinner eater but is a very adventurous/healthy eater in general) and so we worked on encouraging her to eat protein/filling food for dinner at night. It dawned on me last night as DH and I were fighting AGAIN that she may have been picking up on my stress and it is manifesting itself as a physical pain for her. Of course we try to limit arguments to when the kids are in bed but who knows what she hears or just picks up by my general level of stress. We are committed to working things out but in the mean time I'm just so upset it's affecting her! Ideas? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-you-amazing-at-what-do-you-kick-butt-doing#post-2868088 Tue, 22 Jan 2019 10:41:17 +0000 Ajsmommy 2868088@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm having a really crappy go of it and just feeling miserable about everything. </p> <p>I don't like to wallow in sadness so I'm going to list some things that I am amazing at... you do it too and we can get an awesome list of our awesomeness to help us feel better and kick these cold temp blues!!</p> <p>I am amazing and reading my kids and knowing what they need or want sometimes even before they ask for it!</p> <p>I am amazing at having dance parties after dinner... we cupid shuffle till the cows come home.</p> <p>I am amazing at putting both kids to bed smoothly and without too much fuss (the 23 mos DS is starting to give a lil push back ..but I can make him laugh and then he forgets)</p> <p>I am amazing at putting away the clean laundry. Every weekend I was our clothes and like clock work I fold and put it away! </p> <p>Now your turn.. what are you amazing at!!?? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-increasing-issues-breastfeeding-and-nothing-ive-done-has-helped#post-2858946 Wed, 28 Nov 2018 22:37:26 +0000 sonorra0321 2858946@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son is almost 4 weeks old. The first two weeks of his life breastfeeding went great. I could hear him gulping when nursing and he always got enough. Then I would pump and drain the rest. After two weeks I started having difficulties with pumping and I'd have milk still stored in my breasts but barely anything would come out on the left breast. Then about a week ago it got to the point where no matter how much I pumped literally nothing would come out either breast, even though both still have milk in them. When I hand express i only manage a few good squeezes before the milk barely comes out in drops. However he was always able to express my milk when nursing. But as of yesterday he can only express for a few minutes on my left side before he cant get milk to come out,, even though my breast is still full. Could it be a clogged duct even though there is no signs or symptoms of one being present aside from this one problem? Has anyone else had this problem before? Lactation consultant doesn't have an answer it seems, and it's starting to seem like it's starting to happen on the right side. I'm starting to break down and feeling hopeless. I don't want to stop breastfeeding but im beginning to have to supplement with formula. Any suggestions are appreciated! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/just-another-crap-mom-day#post-2843380 Tue, 04 Sep 2018 11:40:21 +0000 codeitall 2843380@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Someone mentioned at church how they needed to push for re-evaluation for their child to get her the speech therapy she needed. And I just felt my heart sink into my feet.</p> <p>When he aged out of early intervention and they said he didn't qualify for the speech preschool, I was relieved and didn't push further. But now I'm looking at my 3.5 DS who has no pronouns, doesn't use complete sentences, is missing several consonants, and is really hard to understand for even those who know him well and I wonder if I should have pushed harder. I'm going to call next week and schedule a time to get him in.</p> <p>In the meantime, I just feel like a crap mom who lets things totally slip through the cracks. My daughter is almost 18 months and I've totally spaced on her 15 month doctor appt!</p> <p>It is moments like this that really make me doubt that I'm doing the right thing for my kids by WOH. I don't really have any questions, just needed to get this out there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mothers-helper-questions#post-2843489 Tue, 04 Sep 2018 18:40:02 +0000 SweetCaroline 2843489@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd like to hire a 12 year old to play with my 3-1/2 year old daughter for 2-3 hours twice a month on Saturdays. I WOH 50+ hours/week and my husband is often on-call. I'd have her help when DH is on-call. I'd use the time to crank some work out (meal prep, finally get to the bottom of my paperwork abyss, laundry, etc.) so I can focus on my daughter outside of those few hours. </p> <p>This particular girl could grow into a date night and/or summertime babysitter. Her responsibilities at this time would be to keep my daughter safe, play with her, and work with her/encourage her to pick up any toys/activities they use.</p> <p>Have you used a mother's helper like this before? What advice do you have to make this arrangement successful? Also, what would you pay? The girl will not have any experience but will be taking the Red Cross babysitting course. They live nearby and we'll split transportation duties with her family. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-get-out-of-a-funk-1#post-2819065 Sat, 28 Apr 2018 06:54:50 +0000 polkaspots 2819065@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have two kids, 5 and almost 2. I’ve been feeling pretty burned out lately, between WOH FT and the relentlessness of life with two young kids. We don’t have much of a village so “me time” is hard to come by. </p> <p>How do you get out of a funk? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/it-takes-a-village-right#post-2817784 Sun, 22 Apr 2018 15:36:58 +0000 polkaspots 2817784@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What does your village look like? Are you happy with it or do you feel like you need additional support? Do you WOH/WAH/SAH? What about your SO?</p> <p>We’re trying to make some life changes to improve our village but can’t decide what we really want/need. </p> <p>Do you have support on days where you have a sick kiddo or daycare/school is closed (e.g. snow days, teacher in-service, holidays that you don’t have off work, etc.)? What do you do for extended school breaks? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/night-time-bed-wetting-in-older-kids-info-share#post-2810957 Tue, 20 Mar 2018 19:23:49 +0000 irene 2810957@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS turned 6 in Jan. Unfortunately, he is still having problems having dry nights. This is not a common problem to a lot of you, but in case if you may be struggling with this like I do, or if you yourself was a late bed-wetter, I just want to see if we can all share stories so we can learn from it!</p> <p>One thing that we have already seen many times on Hellobee boards that does NOT need to be repeated: Night time can NOT be trained. Their body has to secrete a certain enzyme for the magic to work. If it hasn't worked yet meaning it is not the time.</p> <p>Let's share this (or as much/little as you want):</p> <p>- Age and Gender of your LO</p> <p>- How often does s/he wet (eg. twice a night, once every few nights)</p> <p>- What is your methodology to keep her/him "dry" and protect the bed: eg. do you keep him/her in pull up? disposable bed protection sheets? washable bed protection sheets?</p> <p>- If you are not using pull ups:<br /> ---any tips / brand recommendation on how to protect the sheet and the blanket...etc.?<br /> ---what does your child do if they wake up and find themselves wet in the middle of the night?</p> <p>- Have you try anything other than wait it out? eg. Enuresis alarm? read books? Did it help? </p> <p>- How does your child feel about the "issue"?</p> <p>- How do you / your spouse feel about the issue?</p> <p>- If you have already overcame this, what happened, and how old was your LO when s/he finally remain dry all night?</p> <p>Lastly:<br /> - Does s/he snore? Any other health issues/kinks that may not even relate?<br /> (I read on a book that snoring somehow relate to nighttime enuresis issues. I was talking to a friend about it yesterday, and she said that snoring, plus mouth breathing also relates to that, and she said she noticed DS opens his mouth a lot. He also does this occasional dry cough that our doctor + ENT didn't think it was anything but it is quite annoying).</p> <p>Thank you so much!<br /> xoxoxo </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/transition-to-a-new-house-and-a-new-daycare#post-2815785 Wed, 11 Apr 2018 21:42:56 +0000 LCTBQE 2815785@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are moving at the end of the month from our little city apartment to a house we bought in the suburbs. I'm excited to have our own place and have somewhere to put baby #2 when she comes, but so, so sad about pulling my 20-month-old out of his daycare. He's been there since he was 14 weeks old and they love him and he is crazy about everyone there, when he shows up in the morning the other toddlers jump and shriek his name and run to hug him and take his coat off, and the caregivers adore him. The house transition I'm less worried about, but still... I just keep thinking that this is all he's ever known and his world seems so big to him. We have a new daycare lined up that I think is going to be very nurturing, but I'm so scared about hurting him by taking him away from all his little friends. </p> <p>Anyone who has moved around this age--do you have any tips or words of advice?? Anything you did that made it a little easier or softer? (or anything I shouldn't do?) I'd love to hear thoughts on either daycare or house moves. I know people move all the time, and I've heard people say it's easier on the kid than the parent, but I'm super nervous. Thanks in advance. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/recovering-from-cpr-on-my-lo#post-2806104 Sat, 24 Feb 2018 21:17:48 +0000 yellowbeach 2806104@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hive,</p> <p>On Thursday at 11:38 am I got the call from daycare that no mom ever wants to get - my only LO (12 mo) had stopped breathing, turned blue and required CPR. They were able to revive her with 2 minutes of CPR, and she's essentially made a full recovery. We spent the night in the hospital getting an MRI, EEG, EKG and a crap ton of lab work which was all negative. </p> <p>I was pretty ok yesterday, but today has been really rough. I keep looking at her and my mind flashes to her in a coffin, thoughts of us planning her funeral instead of enjoying the petting zoo today... </p> <p>I know this is a pretty extreme scenario, but I was wondering if anyone has any experience going through something like this, and could share some insight into how you cope and move on.</p> <p>Thanks :heart: </p> <p>(my LO on her 1st birthday 2 weeks ago) </p> [attach=7491/18/p4op1o.600x570.27912834_10155572924274545_566324593493736186_o.jpg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hellobee-book-club-1#post-2808176 Wed, 07 Mar 2018 00:11:36 +0000 Mrs. Peas 2808176@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Would anybody be interested in a "virtual" book club for Hellobee readers? I find people are frequently looking for good parenting book recommendations, and this may be a fun way to share the experience of reading together (albeit virtually). This could also be a good way to help bridge any disconnect between the blog &amp; the boards. If you're interested, let me know. I'm happy to facilitate this and will post a blog with book ideas that people can vote on. </p>