https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 12 May 2026 00:47:39 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-for-how-to-handle-other-peoples-pushy-kids#post-2923590 Fri, 30 Apr 2021 09:56:11 +0000 foodiebee 2923590@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wasn't really sure how to phrase the title of the post but I know there are parents here who might have some advice on this! Our 22mo DS has just now started interacting with the other kids in our neighborhood (due to covid and being too little). A house down the street from us has three boys, one very close to our son's age and two who are in elementary school. The older boys are very good with our son and happy to share their toys and invite him to throw the ball with them, etc. The younger boy, though, is not. He is not mean to my son, but if my son walks up to something, say a ball, to play with it, the boy will rush over and take it away. My son just quietly hands it over and takes a step back and watches him walk away with the ball with this super sad look on his face. It's heartbreaking! The boy does this with almost anything my son touches, so it happens a lot. The other parents are outside supervising too and see this, but will only stop the older boys and remind them to be attentive around the little boys, but do nothing to stop their youngest from taking things from my son, even if my son has been playing with it for a bit when their son decides he wants it.</p> <p>To be fair, these are not my son's toys. These are all these three boys' things. We are in their front yard playing, not at our house. The other boy is not very verbal from the time I've spent with him, and he is used to pushing his way around his brothers and getting his way with them as the youngest. </p> <p>So my question is, how do I best approach this situation? I want my son to learn to navigate situations confidently. Right now he seems very passive and quiet when these events happen. He will come to me and say "I play with ball? I want to play with the ball" when the ball is taken from him, and I don't know how I'm supposed to respond. It is the other kid's ball. He also didn't care about it until my son touched it. Right now I'm trying to simply redirect him to another toy and hope the boy leaves him alone. </p> <p>Even with this happening, my son is eager to play with "my friends" when he sees them outside. He is enthralled with all the toys these boys have--bikes and a basketball hoop and balls. He receives glowing reports from his Montessori school about his interactions with his classmates. So I guess really this is about how I can best support him during situations like this. Advice?</p> <p>ETA All we adults are vaccinated! And yes, we're nervous about DS being around the other kiddos, but he was so desperate to see them we gave in. Ah, covid anxiety... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/playdates-at-others-homes#post-2910325 Sun, 16 Feb 2020 20:10:26 +0000 erinbaderin 2910325@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My six year old son had his first play date at somebody else’s house yesterday, and now I need some advice. He’s a bit of a homebody and a mama’s boy. First he wanted me to stay, then he said he would stay for 10 minutes. We talked him into staying for 30 minutes, then I said I would text the other mom and ask her to ask him if he wanted to stay. He was ok with that. </p> <p>So my husband dropped him off at 4pm and said that he’d seemed totally fine and comfortable, and the mom had asked if he could stay for dinner. As per my husband, B (my son) seemed ok with that. I texted at 5 and the other mom said they were having a great time. She sent me a pic of them playing Fortnite, which I wasn’t thrilled about but whatever, and asked if he could stay until 7:30. That’s after his bedtime so I said we’d come at 7. When we picked him up he seemed like he’d had fun, but also said that the other mom said he had to eat all his dinner, and that they’d played zombie video games, and that she never asked if he wanted to go home and really he hadn’t wanted to stay for dinner but we didn’t come back for him. </p> <p>So a few questions! First, I feel a bit like I failed him, by not specifically asking her to ask if he wanted to leave, and I shouldn’t have just let it go when just husband said he’d seemed fine - I should have followed through. So what could I do next time? How can I make it clear to another parent that I don’t just want her to assume he’s ok, I want to actually ask him?</p> <p>And secondly, I’m really not ok with my six year old playing zombie shooting video games. Honestly, I’d rather he not be playing games/watching tv at all on a playdate, but I know I can’t micromanage to that extent. But the mom is very friendly, and has mentioned several times how much fun her son had and how we should do it again. How can I say “ok, but no shooting games”?</p> <p>Sorry this is so long, it’s really causing me stress. He’s a sensitive little guy and I feel like this has maybe put him off playing at other people’s houses for a while (which I guess solves my second problem? 🤔) I have no problem being the house kids congregate at - part of the reason we bought a house with a pool! - but I know we can’t always have everybody come to us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/this-is-why-i-dont-do-sleepovers#post-2905763 Fri, 13 Dec 2019 16:36:33 +0000 Mrsbells 2905763@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This story is just sickening. Sometimes I worry zi am being over protective of my 7 year old daughter but I continue to hear stories like this both in real life and in the media that no matter how good a friendship kids can have, a sleepover gives other people too much access to your child and not all pedophiles come with a sign on their foreheads.<br /> <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/former-hgtv-host-christopher-dionne-124218969.html" rel="nofollow">https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/former-hgtv-host-christopher-dionne-124218969.html</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/another-etiquette-question-this-time-regarding-play-datesleep-over#post-2893910 Thu, 08 Aug 2019 07:19:28 +0000 Ajsmommy 2893910@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I tell ya, they sure don't tell you all the questionable things you'll come up against when parenting... Where is the parenting handbook????? I need it asap!</p> <p>So DD is 5 yo, about to head into kindergarten. She is social and is always talking about play dates and sleep overs. So far I have initiated one play date and it was ok. We went to a public bounce house and the kids had a fine time.</p> <p>Well, this week DD has started to ask to have a sleep over... which I am not at all ready for!! The questionable part is that she is asking for her friend that is a boy to sleep over! She told me they already had it all planned and they already discussed where they would sleep (her bed :shocked: )... anyway.... I obviously know we won't be doing this. </p> <p>But how do I go about telling DD no... and I feel kind of like a jerk to be saying just bc he's a boy she can't have a sleep over. But it is bc he's a boy and she's a girl, right?? Ugh.. in todays day and age why do I feel wrong? I mean I want DD to have friends of both genders and all sizes, colors, backgrounds, etc so I feel like I should be fostering this relationship instead of stomping it out. </p> <p>I've thought about just organizing a play date but to be honest I'm not 100% sure this boy is as interested in it as DD would be.... </p> <p>Thoughts? Have your kids wanted a co ed sleep over at a young age? what did you do or say? And even if you haven't experienced this.. what is your advice? what would you do? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-with-the-ins-and-outs-of-proper-neighborhood-etiquette-please#post-2883785 Thu, 09 May 2019 07:44:57 +0000 Ajsmommy 2883785@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ok, so I am going to be completely honest here, I have ZERO experience with living in a neighborhood as a kid, so I have ZERO experience with what is proper and ok and what's not.</p> <p>We just moved into a new construction neighborhood 4 weeks ago. We are still unpacking and getting stuff set up (part of my aversion to inviting kids in right now).. anywhooo my DD is very outgoing and she has met a friend and I need help to know what is ok and what is not. DD is 5 and this is our first neighborhood friend......</p> <p>Is it ok to go over immediately? Meaning if you see them come home/pull in is it ok to go right over?</p> <p>Is it ok to just send your kid over? Or does the adult need to go as well?</p> <p>If we are out walking (me and kids) and as we walk by they are out and DD wishes to stay and play is that ok? Do I need to stand there too with DS and watch or is it ok for me to allow DD to play as I walk back home, 7 houses away, and start dinner?</p> <p>If it's ok to leave DD there playing how long is it ok? Do I need to walk back to get her? </p> <p>The sidewalks are not done yet so I am a little wary of them running/walking/riding in the road. I have told DD to stay to the side and she knows but I am a nervous nelly and I worry.... do I just have to get over it? Last night they went back and forth from our house to theirs at least 3 times.. I am just sooo worried but I also really can't just sit out front all night watching...??</p> <p>What is the protocol about going into the others house? DD asked if she could take her friend upstairs to show her her bedroom, I said no because I don't want DD going into their home.. but is this ok? Should I be ok with her inviting her friends in and ok with DD going into their home? Mind you we don't really know each other yet... literally met 2 days ago.. I suppose as time goes on some of these things will work themselves out but for now I am confused and unsure</p> <p>Please walk me through this. </p> <p>I am really happy DD will have kids to play with, I just need to know what's ok and what's not. Also any other nervous nelly mom's out there who worry too and how you deal with it? (nervous about the road specifically and nervous about letting DD into someone's home I don't really know) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sleepovers-with-friends-how-does-this-work#post-2888629 Sat, 22 Jun 2019 22:09:37 +0000 ALV91711 2888629@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS is 6 and has never had a sleepover with anyone but his cousins. </p> <p>Over the past couple months he has become really good buddies with a boy of the same age who lives two doors down. They mainly play outside in one of our yards and he has come in a couple times to play when it is rainy. </p> <p>Today they were outside &amp; I went to throw something in the outside garbage. DS asked if his friend could sleep over tonight. I was caught off guard. I asked them a couple questions like if they would sleep! and asked his friend if he’d had a sleepover before. I told them I didn’t think it would be a problem but I’d have to talk to DH when he got home and we’d have to talk to friends parents. Then the friend went to ask his parents but they told him not tonight, maybe another time. </p> <p>So, what is the general protocol for having a friend sleep over? Should we as the parents be making arrangements? Should we wait until the kids ask? We don’t really know the parents but have lived next to each other for 5 years!</p> <p>Thanks for reading my novel and helping me out v </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/drop-off-play-dates-and-parties#post-2873685 Sun, 24 Feb 2019 13:41:50 +0000 Foodnerd81 2873685@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At what age did you start doing or hosting drop off play dates? What about drop off bday parties? </p> <p>My older one is 5 and we have only done a couple of drop off play dates, with one girl she was good friends with at school, and whose mother I knew pretty well. My daughter can be a lot to handle so generally I would feel bad dropping her off and not being their to watch her behavior, but with this one girl she got along really well! She’s stayed at a friends house without me a couple other times but with one of my very good friends, as a big favor when i needed childcare in a pinch or something. Even my 3 year old did a play date without me but it was my friends helping out when I had to go to a funeral, not a regular thing. </p> <p>And the 5 yo went to one drop off bday party, for our neighbors who were turning 6. I didn’t realize it would be drop off! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sleepovers-for-boys-101#post-2873626 Sat, 23 Feb 2019 15:10:52 +0000 irene 2873626@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Talk to me about Sleepovers for boys!</p> <p>DS just turned 7. I know that a few people have started sleepovers for their children since 5-6. We have had some bedwetting issues so I always said we'll start when that issue is curbed. We have finally made some major progress (!!!) and I would definitely love to think about how to start! Maybe we'll start thinking, and will properly begin to do it at 2nd grade. (we are in 1st)</p> <p>What age is good for starting sleepover, and what do people do at sleepovers for boys, and what is the usual duration of a sleepover (7pm-10am...etc.)? Do we feed the friend dinner or do we ask them to eat dinner before they come? Do the parents have to arrange activities, or everyone go take a shower, watch a movie, and go to sleep afterwards (am i naive thinking that is enough lol)? Is it a pain to make sure everyone goes to sleep by a certain hour? Do we even need to understand what is bedtime for the other boy so I know what to expect? Any other etiquette?</p> <p>And is it OK to invite DS' good friends from school that I barely know the parents (I'll make sure I met them before, but I wouldn't say we are friends)? Just wondering if people would tend to decline if it were really an acquaintance from school.</p> <p>I have never ever EVER been on a sleepover when I was younger. My mom would never even allow me to stay over at a family friend/ relative's house without her presence! Or I bet if my school had any sort of sleepover camp (not in the wild but even in an established structure lol) I don't think she would have allowed it. (It is truly a miracle how she allowed me to study and live abroad) So this is completely new to me and would love any advice I can get.</p> <p>Thank you in advance! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/play-date-school-edition#post-2873218 Thu, 21 Feb 2019 00:06:10 +0000 irene 2873218@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This discussion will be more for kids who has started school. </p> <p>My DS is now in 1st grade. We started doing one-on-one play dates with his friends from school since last year which I barely know their moms. I am curious to know how you roll, and what is the "etiquette" if there is any!</p> <p>- How often do you do a playdate with LO's friends from school?</p> <p>- Do you let the other parent pick up, or do you drop off, or do you stay for a little while? </p> <p>- Do you end up making friends with some of these parents that you didn't know to begin with? And do you end up doing things outside of the house with the kids and the moms together?</p> <p>- Do you do a "playdate swap", where you host once and the other parent host once?</p> <p>- Do you get approached usually or do you approach other people for playdates?</p> <p>- Any other etiquette / things-to-know / funny / memorable / special things that happened? </p> <p>Thanks! I'll share below in the comments. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/play-date-tiffs#post-2836763 Mon, 30 Jul 2018 08:58:29 +0000 erinbaderin 2836763@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How do you handle play date fights? B had a friend over yesterday and there were a few times where he got upset at his friend and stormed off, said he wasn’t his friend any more, etc. I wasn’t sure what to do - generally he needs some alone time to calm down but when he’s got a friend over and he’s only going to stay for another half hour it seems weird to leave him alone to play in the basement. The poor little boy left telling his mom that “B said he isn’t my friend anymore and I can’t come back again!” We later wrote a note of apology and I texted a photo of it to his mom, but...ugh. </p> <p>He’s 4, if that helps. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dealing-with-neighbors#post-2827517 Sun, 10 Jun 2018 19:13:29 +0000 Alba4 2827517@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have new neighbors that are very friendly but keep doing things that annoy us. We’ve had scheduled play dates and picnic dinners before and we really enjoy that. What bothers us most is that twice recently they have sent a mother’s helper,who is 14, down to our house with their 3 year old daughter to see if our boys wanted to play without texting first. </p> <p>The first time I was annoyed, but let them stay for about 25 minutes before fibbing and saying we were about to start dinner. The second time we just said that the boys couldn’t play and we basically sent them back home.</p> <p>Tonight the mom and daughter stopped by to say hi at 6 PM (on a Sunday). We were literally sitting down for dinner. We were polite but said firmly that we were eating our family dinner and they left. </p> <p>We are getting a swingset installed next week and I fear that they are going to be asking themselves over often or just “dropping by”. My husband and I plan to be really firm and strict with boundaries, since this family isn’t really “getting” us. I like to hang out with them, but I really prefer a planned time and a courtesy text. We both work and like our routines as it helps us manage our very active boys. </p> <p>Does anyone have experience with these types of situations or any further advice? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/neighborhood-kids-is-this-common#post-2824120 Tue, 22 May 2018 19:19:16 +0000 polkaspots 2824120@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We live on a cul-de-sac in a quiet neighborhood. One family turns their two kids (3ish boy and 9ish girl) loose with very little supervision. The older child watches the younger one, keeping him out of the street (not that there are many cars that come down our street, just neighbors) keeping him out of trouble, etc. The kids are nice and my kids enjoy playing with them, but it kind of bothers me that their parents are NEVER around. I’ve met them once or twice. While the 9 year old does a good job of keeping the younger kiddo out of trouble, we still feel like we’re “watching” them when they’re at our house because we’re breaking up squabbles over toys, reminding them to stay out of the street, providing water/snacks, and just generally supervising the situation because they’re young and sometimes try to do stuff that isn’t totally safe. </p> <p>My kids are 5 and almost 2, so I don’t feel comfortable leaving mine unattended. I think that might be why I feel weird about the situation, but DH has expressed some frustration. From things the older child has said, we think the parents are home watching tv/hanging out, which if I’m being totally honest, annoys me! I feel like I have my hands full keeping an eye on my two. </p> <p>Is this typical? I feel like I can’t really say or do anything, we’re not truly baby-sitting them, and our kids enjoy their company, but it just feels odd! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/play-date-with-a-classmate-tips-and-ideas#post-2817616 Fri, 20 Apr 2018 19:47:28 +0000 irene 2817616@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS (6 yo) has been asking to have a play date with a specific classmate repeatedly these few days. They decided all the details, that they are going to come to our house, and his friend has already asked his mom and his mom said yes. Gosh these kindergarteners.</p> <p>Here is my dilemma: I barely know which child he is talking about and I don’t know their parents (I met his mom 1-2 times briefly, and unfortunately we don’t seem to have much to talk about). We dont have a big yard like most of DS’s friends does, and it makes me a bit self conscious. I know they have 3 kids. We only have one boy and they have 2 older girls and one boy (DS’s friend). We have no toys that a girl maybe interested in. We do have a ton of Legos and a pretty decent playroom. And we have some board games.</p> <p>If we were to invite them over, what would you suggest we should do? Do we make lunch? Or dinner? That would be really stressful for Us as then I have to figure out their dietary restrictions and what do they like to eat...etc. Or should it be strictly a few hours of play time in the afternoon and kick them out? 😅 Or do I only invite the mom and my son’s friend (it seems a bit mean)? Any other tips? Since I barely know them I don’t imagine I can offer for them to drop their DS off.</p> <p>I didn’t grow up in the US, and my mom never made play dates for me with my friends that she didn’t already know so this is very new to me. Have you hosted a play date with “strangers” and what did you guys do, and how did it go? Or if you think you have ideas to go out it will be great too, just that they have already decided they want to come to my house :meh: Any tips or experience share is very welcomed. Thank you so much in advance! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/water-bead-cleanup-help#post-2807731 Mon, 05 Mar 2018 10:46:24 +0000 RonjaL7 2807731@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What do people do to clean up water beads? They are bouncy little suckers and end up out of the bin every time we play with them. Then you can't really get a good handle on the slippery little things to pick them up and throw them out. I'm debating letting them dehydrate and then vacuuming them up but I'm afraid my dogs might eat them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hesitant-to-host-playdates-at-my-house#post-2794200 Sat, 30 Dec 2017 09:59:27 +0000 cat620 2794200@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm part of a playgroup, and we meet for playdates and mom's night outs. We haven't been doing in-home playdates in a while, but the organizer of the group suggested we start doing them again and rotating homes, so everyone gets a turn to host. I didn't say anything to her, but I'm hesitant to host, because I think it's a rowdy group of kids when they get together and I'm really particular about keeping my house nice. </p> <p>For example, we had a Christmas get together with the kids at the organizer's house earlier this month, and there were about 12 kids there. 10 of those kids were boys, and everyone was between the ages of 2.5 and 6. It's too cold for them to play outside, so they were literally running laps around the house, climbing on furniture, and dumping toys out all over the playroom. The host had a jar of 12 candy canes, and they all went missing. She made a joke that she will later find little pieces of candy cane stuck in her carpet upstairs. The other moms seem pretty laid back about messes and kids running wild, but my husband and I just moved to our house in February and we did extensive renovations to make the house look like new. We have new paint, refinished hardwoods, new carpet, etc. The thought of having 12 kids running through my house potentially destroying things gives me anxiety. </p> <p>If you are part of a playgroup, do you host playdates in your house? How do you control messes/chaos, or do you not care too much about that? What would you do in my situation? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/play-date-for-just-one-sibling-wwyd#post-2777053 Mon, 02 Oct 2017 21:48:08 +0000 PinkElephant 2777053@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD1 is five, in kindergarten, and reaching the age where she's making her own friends at school without me necessarily knowing their moms, and naturally, she wants to socialize with them outside of school. </p> <p>Prior to this, play dates were usually planned out by me, with moms I liked, who had either children of similar ages to both my daughters. Now we are reaching a point where DD requests her own play dates with kids I don't know, and often, because of family size (3-4 kids each), or age/gender mismatches, or siblings' other activities, it might not always make sense or even be possible for everyone to get together, and we will be doing drop off play dates. My concern is - when my eldest has a friend over, what do I do with my middle daughter? Do I tell the big girls they need to leave her play, too, or try to keep her out for of their way?</p> <p>I think to keep her out of their way, I'd need to plan special things to do with her (play a game, allow iPad time, etc.), or else maybe encourage DD1 and her friend to take some toys and go upstairs if they want to be away from DD2? </p> <p>Maybe I'm way overthinking this, but I kind of want to go into it with a "policy" in mind to avoid sibling squabbling in front of new friends! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-ask-about-gun-ownership#post-2771213 Fri, 01 Sep 2017 14:11:04 +0000 Alba4 2771213@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If your child is going to have a play date at someone's house, do you ask if they have guns? </p> <p>I live in surburban NY and most people I know don't own guns. I don't even know how to start this conversation... but as my oldest approaches Elementary school age, I imagine he'll be socializing in homes of parents I don't know as well... what have you done/said/discussed? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/play-date-with-a-new-friend-do-you-stay#post-2771065 Thu, 31 Aug 2017 22:12:19 +0000 Lighthouse 2771065@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At what age would you feel comfortable letting your child go to a friend's house for a playdate without you if you were only acquaintances with the parents? For instance, to a school friend's house when you've met the parents a couple of times at school-related events but don't have an actual friendship with them. Until now, my child has only gone to the house of a friend alone if I've accompanied her the first time, or if we have a personal friendship with the parent. However, the last time we had this school friend over, her parents dropped her off (which we were fine with), but now I'm not sure what we'd be comfortable doing in the reverse situation. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/neighbor-kid-wants-to-play-all-the-time#post-2770311 Mon, 28 Aug 2017 15:11:38 +0000 pinkcupcake 2770311@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our neighbors have a little girl the same age as my daughter (5). I stay home with my daughter so for the most part, we are home in the afternoons / evenings. They get along really well, but this girl is ALWAYS wanting to play and it's starting to drive me a little crazy. Without fail, she rings the doorbell at 1pm. It would be fine if they played for an hour or so, but she will not leave. Or, she gets bored (she seems to have a very short attention span and can't focus on one toy / activity for more than 5 mins), so she wants to go play outside. I don't let my daughter play outside alone so that means I have to get the baby and go outside to supervise (her parents are much more lax and let her play alone outside in the common areas of the neighborhood). Then it's pretty much in/out of our house all day until dinner time, and then it takes forever to get her to leave. </p> <p>Idk what the point of this was. Vent I guess. I don't mind having kids over a couple times a week but every single day, multiple times a day, is just too much. I'm introverted and need my space 😬 If I hear the doorbell ring soon, I may lose my mind ... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-a-play-date-should-i-bring-something#post-2769302 Wed, 23 Aug 2017 08:06:05 +0000 erinbaderin 2769302@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A friend of my son's invited us over to swim in their pool this afternoon. This is our first play date with them. They also invited us to stay for dinner, but I declined because my husband and 1 year old will be home, my son is very shy, and I thought it was better to keep his first play date simple and fairly brief. </p> <p>Should I bring something? Treats, or a bottle of wine? Complicating this is that her oldest son has serious allergies - ordinarily I would bake cookies but I'm not sure what he can and can't eat. </p> <p>Help! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahm-how-often-do-you-do-play-dates#post-2706798 Tue, 07 Mar 2017 10:07:47 +0000 SweetiePie 2706798@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS is 2.5 and in "school" 4 mornings a week.<br /> Friday's he's off. </p> <p>Since starting school there is a constant stream of play date requests. Sometimes it's nice but mostly I'm like...ugh. We spend the morning rushing around then he has lunch and nap and when he wakes up I want to use it for us to hang or run errands. He's only awake for 4 hours before bedtime.<br /> Fridays are our only day off, so likewise it's nice to not have anywhere to be and to leave it open.<br /> I'm also kinda introverted so maybe that's the issue. </p> <p>How often do you do play dates and do you like it or just power through? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-your-kids-play-well-together-2#post-2694830 Thu, 09 Feb 2017 19:00:00 +0000 Mrs. Sunshine 2694830@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Lately, mine have been! (Knock on wood). Just this morning, the house was suspiciously quiet, I went to check in them and I heard them in DD2's closet whispering and giggling. It's my favorite thing ever! How have your kids been playing lately? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/getting-energy-out-at-home#post-2678968 Thu, 12 Jan 2017 14:28:27 +0000 Mrs. Sunshine 2678968@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So I've noticed that DD will usually fall asleep much more easily and is more likely to stay asleep all night on days she has her Little Gym class. I think it would be good for her to have 30 minutes to and hour of harder play daily but I don't know how to get her to play harder at home. Any fun activities or games that your LO loves that really gets all their pent up energy out? Or am I hoping for something that doesn't exist? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-your-lo-have-an-imaginary-friend-1#post-2674889 Thu, 05 Jan 2017 21:44:07 +0000 travellingbee 2674889@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My DS1 has had an imaginary friend that he talks about incessantly since the summer. He shows no signs of leaving... it's hilarious. His name is Codo and he lives a parallel life with my LO. And apparently Codo's parents are way more permissive than we are😂 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/super-heroes#post-2674860 Thu, 05 Jan 2017 21:28:24 +0000 travellingbee 2674860@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My DS1 who is almost 4 took a random Superman book out of the library 2 weeks ago and now he is utterly and completely obsessed with super heros. It isn't my favorite as I think they are violent. But he is so into these books that I also don't feel comfortable denying him. Anyone else have a LO in love with super heroes? What are your thoughts? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-your-lo-prefer-same-gender-or-opposite-gender-playdates#post-2671569 Thu, 29 Dec 2016 18:46:05 +0000 mrbee 2671569@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My kids don't seem to care either way! Probably related to them being opposite gender kids... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-your-spouse-do-playdates-with-other-parents#post-2671511 Thu, 29 Dec 2016 16:40:00 +0000 mediagirl 2671511@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We actually haven't had a play date in forever. But it's always me that sets up and plans the play dates. My husband does not do playdates by himself. </p> <p>Does your spouse do play dates? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/friending-twins-or-one-of-the-twins#post-2668806 Wed, 21 Dec 2016 14:58:54 +0000 mediagirl 2668806@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Maybe twin parents can chime in here. My daughter really loves playing with a girl at her school who happens to have a twin sister that my daughter doesn't play with that often. She asked to play with her outside of school. As they are just 4 years old, do I request a playdate for the 3 of them or request just the twin my daughter enjoys playing with? </p> <p>To complicate matters - the parent is a single parent with an older child, as well. So, I'm thinking maybe a park play date where they can all come and play?</p> <p>Selfishly, I'd like my daughter to have her friend to herself. She's the type to make one or two good friends and not play with a crowd. But, I feel for the single parent having to juggle everyone. </p> <p>How would you pose having a playdate in this situation? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-intervene-in-play-time#post-2639786 Thu, 20 Oct 2016 14:16:39 +0000 Mrs. Carrot 2639786@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>There's a lot of writing recently on the importance of independent play and letting kids do their own thing, even if it seems like they're bored, so I'm wondering, how much do you insert yourself in play time or guide kids when they're playing or even when they're wandering aimlessly? I am very hands off with my 3.5 year old - basically if she's not asking me to play with her, I usually don't - but I sometimes wonder if I should offer myself up more or ask her to play together or let her do her own thing and let her take the lead on company. </p>