https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 28 Apr 2026 04:58:32 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wfm-with-kids-at-home#post-2912528 Fri, 20 Mar 2020 16:39:52 +0000 agold 2912528@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm finding myself strongly contemplating not having my babysitter come to the house anymore. So, I may have to be working from home full time, with two little girls underfoot. Sounds impossible to me. Please tell me who else is faced with this situation during COVID-19 crisis lockdown, and what are you planning to do about your own work? I'm pretty much close to having my mind blown over all of this. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahms-what-made-you-decide-to-stay-home#post-2903393 Sat, 23 Nov 2019 16:58:36 +0000 cake2017 2903393@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hello! </p> <p>Curious! I take long maternity leaves and have a very very flexible work schedule etc. </p> <p>Although being home is nice working is best for our family. I enjoy my job and the benefits are outstanding as well. My toddler attends a great school and my newborn will be home with a close family member until I get home. Being home right now is a blessing but I get overwhelmed a lot and I just wish I didn’t. It makes me feel down and I feel like I probably wouldn’t be good staying home full time. Just my feelings as of right now. So I was wondering....</p> <p>How did you decide to SAH? What were your reasons? Do you ever get “down” or wish you could go back to work? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/some-anxiety-raising-two-little-ones#post-2895057 Tue, 20 Aug 2019 12:35:21 +0000 cake2017 2895057@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just welcomed baby 2 a week ago. We have a toddler. All the help leaves tomorrow. I’m worried how bedtime routine will go and just day to day. </p> <p>DH said he will help with breakfast before going to work. </p> <p>I’m worried I don’t have enough hands 😂. </p> <p>How do you do things in your home with more than one child?</p> <p>Any stories or tips may help. Thank you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/happy-stay-at-home-mom#post-2827050 Thu, 07 Jun 2018 10:44:51 +0000 mommy20 2827050@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi!! I am a stay at home mom and aboslutely love it! Everyday I am so grateful!! Lately though the reaction I get from others is I should be bored and lonely but I am totally not!! Once in a while of course lets be real but I do really love it more than anything. Even my family has notice how much happier I am! I really don't want to come off the wrong way here (bragging or anything) I just wonder why I am so content when everyone else is telling me I shouldn't be... this is all I have ever wanted to be a mom and stay home and take care of my home -- maybe I am just a 'boring' person who finds it fun doing all those things other people find too simple and uneventful... not sure... just looking if anyone at all can relate!?!?!? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/summertime-at-home#post-2810652 Mon, 19 Mar 2018 14:11:07 +0000 mediagirl 2810652@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you or your spouse stay at home, what do you do all summer when the kids are out of school?</p> <p>If what we're planning works out, our 6 year old will stay home with DH. My current plan is joining the pool and a local museum. Maybe a few inexpensive camps mixed in. </p> <p>What else do you do all summer when one parent works and the other stays home? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahm-schedule-1#post-2807985 Tue, 06 Mar 2018 09:51:56 +0000 LadyDi 2807985@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am transitioning from being a WOHM to a SAHM. Right now I am just in survival mode since DD2 is only 4 weeks old, but at some point I would like to make a loose schedule for us (DS1 is 2.5). I am introvert and I know if I don't schedule activities for us that we'll just sit at home and that isn't fun for anyone. So, SAHMs, what do you do? Do you follow a daily or weekly schedule? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/woh-to-sah#post-2800204 Sat, 27 Jan 2018 13:15:42 +0000 polkaspots 2800204@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’ve always worked, but we’re contemplating a move to a smaller town with fewer professional opportunities for me. We’re wanting to be closer to family before we have a third child, and my husband suggested I SAH until the kids are in school.</p> <p>The idea of staying at home with the kids sounds fun...until the weekend rolls around and we’re all at home and kind of bored! I’m nervous about such a big change!</p> <p>Has anyone gone from WOH to SAH? How did it go? I’d love to hear all about it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahd-is-depressed-any-experiences#post-2797883 Thu, 18 Jan 2018 09:39:55 +0000 smuckers 2797883@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My husband, a SAHD, is severely depressed and attempted suicide after losing his job in September. Since then, he has been taking lots of steps to try to get better (medication, seeing a therapist, all that good stuff). </p> <p>However, he's definitely in a "valley" right now and we cannot afford for me to stay home from work (I have PTO that I've been using here or there, but I don't want to exhaust it in January). I don't think he (or the baby, 7.5 months) is in danger, but I am 100% sure he's not being the best parent he can be right now. His mother has been coming over to help out as much as she can (bless her), but she can't be there all the time.</p> <p>We're considering putting him in an intensive outpatient treatment, which is 4 hours per day 4-5 days per week. Which we definitely cannot afford financially. Unfortunately, I make too much money for us to be able to qualify for any assistance (literally, I make $50 per week too much to qualify for WIC, which has the loosest requirements). </p> <p>I'm not really asking for advice... I think we're doing everything we need to be doing or can be doing right now. Just looking for some commiseration. Has anyone else gone through something like this? I am 100% behind him, but it's definitely really, REALLY hard right now.</p> <p>ETA: I forgot to add a big thing that happened today. I spoke with his therapist this morning to let her know that he's having a hard time. She was very nice, but let me know that if he gets any worse and I left the baby alone with him while I'm at work, it could go into child neglect territory and she would have to file a report with DHS. Which is basically top 5 in my worst nightmares. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-does-your-day-at-home-look-like-with-your-4-year-old#post-2794968 Wed, 03 Jan 2018 23:54:34 +0000 Mrs. Turtle 2794968@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We took placement of a 4, almost 5 year old little guy the Friday before Christmas. Things are mostly going ok, though it's been a tough adjustment for all of us. He's in transitional kinder, so I think things will improve when school starts again on Monday. But there will still be weekends and holidays, not to mention summer (though we have plans for at least half time day care). So...what does your day at home look like with a 4 year old? </p> <p>I'm trying to figure out if he is fairly typical or if he has some challenges beyond his trauma that are making it particularly hard for him. I'm not super experienced with 4 year old boys so I'm really not sure what to expect of him. Right now he does great a lot of the day but has a really hard time entertaining himself at all, and as the day goes he gets more and more "tuned out," not listening, not retaining, unable to follow pretty simple instructions, etc. It looks a bit like ADHD, although some of the time he isn't at all like that and seems very capable of paying attention, focusing, etc. Does he just need more structure than a day at home? Is it just christmas break and we need to wait it out? What kinds of activities do your 4-5 year olds do and are they able to play independently at all? At the moment, O (26 months) is far more independent. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sos-what-to-do-when-8-month-old-will-not-play-independently#post-2765337 Sat, 05 Aug 2017 07:10:48 +0000 Msglass 2765337@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't really know which board it would be best to post this on, so please forgive me if this is in the wrong place. My 8 month old son is at the point where he can sit up, crawl, and pull himself up using furniture as support. He loves to play and is generally a pretty happy baby, but as soon as I try to leave him alone to do something else (like make dinner or fold laundry) he starts to fuss. I don't know if it's because I've done a bad job and have conditioned him to think that every time he whines I'll come running, but it has been pretty miserable when we're at home together and all I can do is sit in the room with him while he plays. I want him to learn that he can be independent even if it's only for a few minutes. I have set up a gated-off area right outside my kitchen that is completely baby-safe where he can play while I work in the kitchen or put in a load of laundry, but he hates it. He cries every time I put him down in it.<br /> SO, all that to say - I need tips! What did you do when your baby was at the age where they wanted to get into everything and you needed to get stuff done? If you had similar issues with a baby who didn't want to be put down, what did you do to make things easier? Also please don't tell me to "just enjoy this time and let the housework go because babies don't keep" I'm well aware that this is a special time to enjoy with him, but stuff still needs to get done! And I still need to get dressed in the morning! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-type-of-activities-does-your-school-age-or-almost-school-age-child-do-in-the-summer#post-2757128 Tue, 11 Jul 2017 12:00:23 +0000 mediagirl 2757128@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My husband will be staying at home with our daughter in August. I'm trying to plan their month (because I'm the coordinator in the family) and I'm looking into some of the town's classes. She has never tried organized sports or activities (she's been a daycare kid since birth). I'm thinking of signing her up for a 2 hour art class for one week and a 2 hour soccer class the week after. She will also have swim lessons those weeks. </p> <p>Is that a good amount or too much for a 5 year old to handle? She's used to being at daycare all week long.</p> <p>What type of activities does your school-age or almost school age child participate in during the summer? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-get-over-the-guilt#post-2752959 Wed, 28 Jun 2017 11:45:52 +0000 smocks 2752959@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>First world problem/novel ahead...</p> <p>In one year, I will have the opportunity for the first time to be a full time SAHM with my 2 kids (currently 4 and almost 2). I’ve always wanted to SAHM, at least temporarily, but it hasn’t been feasible while DH has been in training. When he’s done in a year, we are moving across the country, and DH will be making plenty for us to live well on just his salary. </p> <p>The past 4 years, and for the rest of his career, he will have variable shift work. It’s how his occupation is set up, and we are going in with eyes open. He’s been working this schedule for a few years and we’re used to it and make it work, but it sucks because he works many holidays/weekends and gets random days off. Our schedules are not compatible and never will be if I’m working 8-5 M-F.</p> <p>DH would rather me SAHM so we can spend more time together, and I would be able to focus on the kids and our home (and selfishly – all his administrative and day to day things he doesn’t want to deal with). It's what his mom did. I’d be happy with this arrangement, but for one issue...</p> <p>I CAN’T GET OVER MY GUILT. I feel like I have this internal obligation to work full time, even though I logically know it may not be necessary in our situation. But I’m coming up on my 10 year anniversary with my company, I’ve advanced well above where I probably should be for my age career-wise, and feel like it’s throwing my education and career advancement in the trash. Even though I don’t love what I do, I’m lukewarm about it at best. My mom worked full time for her entire career, and so it’s all I’m used to and all I know. I can’t even wrap my mind around being able to have time during the day to schlep kids to school, athletics, extracurriculars... </p> <p>I feel like I’m setting myself up for a “grass is greener” situation and I’m going to be disappointed when I inevitably fail as a Martha Stewart homemaker. Or that I’ll hate staying home full time. I’m sure I’ll eventually get into some part time work/volunteering. But I don’t like relying on someone else for income. I’m scared about the “what-if’s” that can’t be controlled (major disability, although we are insured for this). I’m scared to have to start all the way back at the bottom if I decide to go back to work, and will be disappointed bc I know I wasted my potential.</p> <p>Basically, I want someone to make my decision for me, or at least tell me it’ll be ok. </p> <p>/pity party </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahms-what-do-you-envy#post-2738408 Mon, 22 May 2017 09:10:33 +0000 pinkcupcake 2738408@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A spin off of the other working parents thread -</p> <p>SAHMs- do you ever envy the other side?</p> <p>Generally, like 99% of the time, I don't. I'm happy and content with my choice. I do miss eating lunch without someone yelling "mama, mama" every 2-3 seconds :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-makes-you-feel-productive#post-2694845 Thu, 09 Feb 2017 19:15:00 +0000 Mrs. Sunshine 2694845@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What are your top 3 things that, if they happened/got done that day, make you feel productive? For me I'd say:<br /> 1) taking the girls outside for at least an hour, ideally two<br /> 2) having all the breakfast and lunch dishes done before I start on dinner<br /> 3) making the bed </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-does-your-so-walk-into-when-they-get-home#post-2683454 Thu, 19 Jan 2017 17:50:24 +0000 Bao 2683454@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Is it pure chaos? Calm, dinner is being made and kids are playing nicely? ;)</p> <p>Half the time everything is fine when he gets home, but in those instances it was usually a battle of epic tantrums all day long. So of course it looks as if we had a day that ran perfectly smooth. Sometimes he comes into a disaster zone of cranky kids and I can't wait to get some help! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahm-and-injury#post-2672931 Mon, 02 Jan 2017 15:25:12 +0000 catgirl 2672931@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you stay at home with LO do you have a backup if you can't take care of them for an extended period of time? Are your parents and/or inlaws able to help? Would you utilize drop off care if available? Or have SO take time off from work?</p> <p>I fell yesterday on the ice while carrying DD - I was able to prevent her from hitting the pavement but by doing so I possibly broke my elbow. It has too much fluid in the elbow and too much swelling for them to be positive right now, but they believe there is a fracture. I can barely move my arm which is making it incredibly difficult to take care of DD. </p> <p>DH typically works Wednesday - Sunday. We're trying to figure out what option makes the most sense for us if I am unable to care for her solo. Our parents live 2+ hours away and all work so they are only available on weekends. I've found a few daycares that offer drop in care but DH's schedule is really bizarre and I'm not sure I could do drop off or pick up. Basically feeling screwed right now and desperately hoping the doctors are wrong about the fracture. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-get-time-during-the-day-for-you#post-2660327 Thu, 01 Dec 2016 18:45:07 +0000 Bao 2660327@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you stay at home, do you get any time during the day to do something that you want to do? Watch a show, workout, read, etc? </p> <p>I stay home with the girls and first thing in the morning when just my youngest is up, she likes to chill out on the couch and I can browse my phone/read with my coffee. Once my oldest gets up it's game over. I get a little time when my oldest goes to school and LO2 takes her afternoon rest, then not again until bedtime. So overall I do get some time to do what I want (most days), but it helps that the girls are getting older and are more independent. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/a-week-at-home-with-your-los-what-do-you-do#post-2611311 Fri, 26 Aug 2016 01:20:59 +0000 lamariniere 2611311@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My 5 yo and 2 yo's daycare is closed all next week for summer vacation. My oldest starts elementary the following Monday and the younger one goes back to daycare. </p> <p>What would you do at for a week at home (staycation) with your LOs? The weather is supposed to be nice and summery. Some activities in our city: zoo, children's museum, technical museum, a few splash pads and kiddie pools (but I don't think I'm brave enough to do kiddie pools alone with the two of them). Maybe some playdates.</p> <p>What else would you do? Or what kind of at home activities can you suggest? I'm not super crafty, but I can make an effort. :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahm-burnout#post-2601687 Wed, 10 Aug 2016 10:07:42 +0000 mrsrain 2601687@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm a sahm of a two year-old DD and a 5 month-old DS. Right now we are in the thick of the 4 month sleep regression, so we are pretty home-bound during the day. I do you host a Tuesday morning group every week, but nobody could come yesterday. I am really struggling with burnout in general, and this week in particular. </p> <p>Has anyone else been there? Any suggestions? I do manage to get out in the evenings occasionally, but that's not making the day go by any easier. :bummed: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahp-of-toddlers-2-or-more#post-2565805 Sun, 12 Jun 2016 21:17:24 +0000 matador84 2565805@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What is a typical day like with your kids? Schedule? I have a 2 and 3 year old and am home with them for 7 more weeks of the summer. Neither of them take naps anymore!</p> <p>We'll take a couple of trips here and there, but good grief--they are already wearing me out! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahms-when-do-you-plan-to-go-back-to-work#post-2564589 Thu, 09 Jun 2016 15:49:51 +0000 Bao 2564589@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you currently stay at home, when do you plan on going back to work? </p> <p>I'm assuming I'll go back when LO2 is in Kindergarten, but so many things could change between now and then...so we will see! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahps-do-you-mesh-with-other-sahps#post-2564407 Thu, 09 Jun 2016 12:22:56 +0000 Mrs. Sketchbook 2564407@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have a hard time finding SAHMs who share my values! I'm very liberal but most SAHMs I know are conservative. You'd think this wouldn't be an issue but it does come up as we go on playdates and make different parenting decisions, and when we talk relationships (people are always telling me to submit..no lie!). Kinda sucks! I have a love/hate relationship with playdates and can't really open up to any IRL friends (most of my IRL liberal friends are either childfree or live elsewhere). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-count-down-the-minutes-until-so-gets-home#post-2531198 Thu, 21 Apr 2016 15:11:30 +0000 Bao 2531198@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you stay at home, do you count down the time until DH gets home? Are some parts of the day harder than others? Does time start to drag closer to dinner time? </p> <p>I know I'm always counting down the time until I know I'll get some help! I dread days DH works late or has to work his second job. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-days-have-been-dragging#post-2517910 Thu, 07 Apr 2016 06:59:34 +0000 Bao 2517910@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Lately, the days have been dragging. LO is on spring break but yet we are so bored and I find myself struggling to think of things to do. The weather here has been cold, and sometimes rainy so that's not helping. It's a good 20 minute drive to get to anywhere like stores, to even just walk around. </p> <p>How do you stay entertained all day without constantly being on the go? That's just not an option, daily, for us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sahm-to-toddlers-how-do-you-keep-them-busy#post-2508354 Mon, 28 Mar 2016 13:27:07 +0000 cat620 2508354@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm a SAHM of two kids. My youngest is 7 months and my oldest is almost 3, but I feel like the toddler is much more work than the baby, because he wants to constantly play or be entertained somehow. He also likes to go places, like the park, the playground, the bounce houses or the children's museum, but it's more work for me to bring him places now that he has a baby brother. So I'm wondering, if you're a SAHM of a toddler, what do you do all day to keep them busy? Do you go out every day? Where do you go? If you stay home, how do you keep your child from being bored? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whatre-you-up-to-today-with-los#post-2506446 Fri, 25 Mar 2016 07:49:52 +0000 Bao 2506446@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH works 16 hours on Friday's, so I am going to try and keep busy with the girls. I was thinking of going to the library, but other than that...I'm stumped! It's super cold here.</p> <p>What're you up to today with your LO's? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/perks-of-being-a-sah-parent#post-2496117 Wed, 16 Mar 2016 06:24:22 +0000 regberadaisy 2496117@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not to exclude anyone. ;)</p> <p>What's your favorite perk of being a sah parent, right this second?</p> <p>With nicer weather on their way here in the East Coast, I'm definitely going to miss our daily walks while I was home with the girls! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-hire-help#post-2488597 Thu, 10 Mar 2016 11:15:00 +0000 Bao 2488597@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you stay home, do you hire out help for anything? </p> <p>If I had the money I totally would hire a house cleaning service, or a nanny to come one day a week so I could get things done. It's not realistic for us though, only a dream! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-your-so-gets-home-from-work#post-2488497 Thu, 10 Mar 2016 14:15:00 +0000 Bao 2488497@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Do you get a break, or ask for a break? </p> <p>We have been trying to figure out what is fair in regards to this lately. My stress level has been pretty high in life overall lately, and by 4:15pm when DH gets home I'm itching for some space. Sometimes it's to prep dinner while he hangs with the girls outside, or I'll go up and fold laundry while they hang out in the living room. </p> <p>However, DH just mentioned he doesn't mind giving me a break but he wants a few minutes to do things he wants to do as well. So we need some help finding a healthy balance. Input? </p>