https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 29 Apr 2026 11:21:51 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-older-ages-are-okay-to-share-a-room#post-2928416 Tue, 26 Dec 2023 20:38:28 +0000 togetherthroughlife 2928416@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I know this is so subjective, but in your mind how long would you let two siblings, one girl and one boy, share a bedroom? They are about 4 years apart and love sharing a room with two twin beds. We have a bedroom (beds, stuffies, books, clothes) and a play room. Both are shared spaces between the two of them. I know this can’t last forever, but I’m wondering if anyone has opinions or experience to encourage us! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-gaps#post-2927949 Thu, 09 Feb 2023 09:54:33 +0000 Lilfarmer 2927949@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’m curious to hear what everyone’s age gaps are and what that’s been like for your family? </p> <p>My LOs will be 7 and 10 when our third arrives and it’s really cool how excited they are! My close friend has similar spacing (12, 10, 2) and seems to love that spacing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gifts-for-3-year-old#post-2920650 Tue, 10 Nov 2020 12:19:12 +0000 castilrm 2920650@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi all! I could use some inspiration for a Xmas gift for my 3 year old (girl, but tend to prefer unisex toys) who is a typical second child. She gets all of her sister’s hand me down clothes and toys, which she obviously doesn’t mind but I feel bad that I put a lot of thought into the right toys to get her 5 year old sister, and I usually just get her something last minute so she has something to unwrap because we already have so many of the usually suggested toys (legos, magnatiles, play kitchen, dollhouse, scooters etc) for her older sis that she’s inheriting. Also, since we’ve been home so much since March, I’ve purchased them a lot more toys than usual “off cycle” to just keep them busy while we work, so I’m really tapped out on what the heck to get her. Her older sis has outgrown her bike, so we’re getting her a new bike for Xmas, some ridiculous Snow Dragon thing she asked for, and grandparents will probably chip in for a the bike or get her some art or STEM projects I suggested. </p> <p>I asked my 3 year old what she wanted and she said “snowflakes,” so I’ll see if I can find something that fits that description! But any other ideas? Has anyone ever tried one of those Leap Frog pads? Are those fun/educational for 3 year olds? FYI, nothing to expensive as we’ve already spent more than usual this year on toys and items to keep them busy, so I don’t want to go overboard or blow our budget. </p> <p>Thanks! Clearly I’m procrastinate work today :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/making-3-across-work-without-pulling-my-hair-out#post-2902003 Mon, 11 Nov 2019 10:11:52 +0000 Becky 2902003@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’m due with #3 in June and have a Honda CRV. I know 3 across works in this car and we actually have 3 in there right now so I can occasionally transport my niece. However I’m trying to wrap my head around being able to hoist a bucket seat up and over another car seat since it will be in the middle. Is it really as hard as I’m imagining? I’d LOVE a new to me 3 row SUV but I think I’d have a hard time convincing DH it’s worth it (unless he spends a few months toting all 3 kids in my car), and with 2 in daycare for a year it would be a squeeze. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/potty-training-regression-4#post-2909046 Sun, 26 Jan 2020 16:49:02 +0000 Sams Mom 2909046@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So I'm scheduled for c section February 25 for our second child. Our son will be turning 4 early April, and has been potty trained without incidence since last April (right after he turned 3). I know I was lucky but he literally went from being no more than 50% successful to day time and night time potty trained with 0 accidents.</p> <p>In the last couple weeks he's not made it to the bathroom in time and has peed his pants twice now. I know that's not a ton at all, but it wasn't a thing at all for the last 9+ months.</p> <p>He's very excited about his sister and has no animosity towards myself or my pregnancy, but it's the only change that has happened. </p> <p>Has anyone else had this happen? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/keep-room-sharing-or-give-them-their-own-rooms#post-2893150 Wed, 31 Jul 2019 22:39:00 +0000 Mrs. Turtle 2893150@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD1 is 3y9m and DD2 is 15m. They've been room sharing for almost a year. Mostly it's going well, with an occasional brutal night with lots of screaming and keeping each other up. But typically they do great. We are thinking of buying a house and likely will end up with a 3 br. Do we separate them? Keep them together and have a guest room for the first time ever? What would you do? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-end-to-our-to-3rd-or-not-to-3rd-debate#post-2888393 Fri, 21 Jun 2019 08:35:46 +0000 graceandjoy 2888393@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How it ends is when you get a surprise BFP :bfp: :shocked: </p> <p>I am an old user under a new name, and in almost every thread about whether to have another, we were pretty firmly on team two &amp; through. But leaving the door open to explore foster/adoption in the future and I felt pretty good about that! </p> <p>We did not take any permanent measures for birth control, whatever we've been doing worked fine for the last year. Obviously, knowing we didn't take more "fail safe" measures meant that we understood if a surprise ever came along. And boy (or girl, haha) it did! </p> <p>And to honestly share my feelings, I was freaking the heck out. I had really settled down into life with 2 (4.5 and 2.5), and finally starting to plan travels, future, etc. I realize that in wanting another baby, I really was just in love with the IDEA of having another one. I think the IDEA of it is way too romantic. When it becomes real, this is all the stuff I started thinking about:</p> <p>- My body. Yes, it is a blessing to carry a baby to term but I thought I was done with loaning my body out for 9 months, with gaining weight, with labor/delivery, etc. I had GD twice so I might as well just started dieting now! </p> <p>- All my hopes and dreams for the immediate future pretty much resets. Financial plans made a sharp turn as I now have to save up for another maternity leave, another long stretch of daycare, etc </p> <p>I hope by sharing all the real feelings I have had about this (I found out like 2 nights ago?), that it helps others! Obviously we are thrilled and over the moon too and SO thankful for this surprise blessing. I am honestly not too worried currently about the day-to-day. We already have a van, we only have a 3 bedroom but 2 of them can always share a bedroom. #3 will just go to the same daycare. Probably more scheduling chaos but none of it a big deal. I don't even really worry about being outnumbered b/c I see many other families with 3 or more children and hey, they are all doing okay! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/three-kids-especially-wohm#post-2878016 Mon, 25 Mar 2019 08:14:02 +0000 skinnycow 2878016@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Talk to me about having three kids... is it as crazy as it seems? </p> <p>DH and I have been set on having two kids forever but now that I'm in the third trimester of this pregnancy I'm starting to doubt whether or not I'm done. Maybe I'm just being sentimental because these could be my last few weeks being pregnant. </p> <p>I'm not really concerned about the money factor. Our daughter is three and we would wait until she's in Kindergarten to avoid triple daycare payments. I know we would need bigger cars but that's not a big deal either. We have an extra bedroom in our house so we have space for another. </p> <p>I'm mostly worried about splitting my time - will life be totally crazy with two full-time WOH parents? How do you balance doctor appointments/activities with three kids? I know I'm totally getting ahead of myself because I don't even have #2 yet but I can't get this out of my head! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-ages-did-your-kids-really-start-to-play-well-together#post-2878432 Wed, 27 Mar 2019 12:06:32 +0000 Ajsmommy 2878432@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have a 5 yo DD and 2 yo DS. They play ok together right now but usually the 2 yo gets too wild or aggressive and ends up destroying whatever it is the 5 yo is doing..... I am thinking we haven't hit the "groove" yet and I was wondering when you felt your kids really started to play well together? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/getting-4-year-old-ready-for-baby#post-2874471 Fri, 01 Mar 2019 11:14:50 +0000 SweetCaroline 2874471@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD is newly 4 and our second child is on the way. We have several weeks before we will tell her, but what are some things you did along the way if you had an older child who was getting a sibling for the first time? I'm specifically interested in the 4-5 year olds becoming siblings. </p> <p>Looking for conversation topics, books, TV shows, movies, special activities, etc. Thank you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-were-your-kids-ready-to-share-a-room#post-2864829 Thu, 03 Jan 2019 22:46:36 +0000 DesertDreams88 2864829@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our plan was always to have the kids share but HA that will probably never work, given the personality of my oldest. Just curious for those it worked out for... When were your kids ready to share a room? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-did-you-get-away-with-combined-bday-parties#post-2864831 Thu, 03 Jan 2019 22:48:21 +0000 DesertDreams88 2864831@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son will be 3 Jan 27 and my daughter turns 1 on Feb 16 so we're doing their first combo party, Feb 2. I plan to do combo parties as long as they'll let me! How long do you think that will be? How'd it work out with your kids? Any suggestions for unisex themes? (gender stereotypes aside, I just have lot of conservative friends &amp; family) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-was-it-like-going-from-1-to-2-children-advice#post-2856693 Wed, 14 Nov 2018 15:11:14 +0000 pachamama 2856693@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm expecting my second son in less than 8 weeks and of course getting nervous because we are hitting a really nice, truly enjoyable stage with my son (DS 2 is due on DS1s birthday 😕 3 years apart). Things are so good and I do not handle the newborn period well. It terrifies me.<br /> I had pretty bad PPD/A with DS1 and the long sunless winters here in NY are rough.<br /> Son 1 will be in daycare/preschool 2-3 days a week. I have a lot of family support and my 3 best friends are due within 2 weeks of me 😅. I have a great husband and a great therapist. And time off from work, so I am very lucky! But I'm so nervous. About depression and worrying constantly that something is wrong with the baby (like I did with #1 but this time I worked in a construction zone from weeks 20-26 of my pregnancy) and not bonding hardly at all and feeling so housebound.<br /> I'm venting. But any advice or what your experience was like would be helpful! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/feeling-conflicted-about-baby-2#post-2843146 Sun, 02 Sep 2018 21:37:24 +0000 crazydoglady 2843146@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I confess, I feel silly about this because I am 39 weeks with #2 who I am so ridiculously excited about, but I feel sad/nostalgic/guilty about dropping off DS at grandma's house to go into the hospital. I am getting teary eyed just thinking about it. I know it's not selfish to have another baby, but I just can't shake this feeling.</p> <p>Anyone feel similarly or am I just completely off my rocker? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sibling-squabbles#post-2839975 Wed, 15 Aug 2018 16:42:02 +0000 caitcat 2839975@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How do you keep the peace between your preschooler and younger toddler? </p> <p>I have a 16 month old and a 3.5 year old and they have been at each other's throats recently. My younger one is into everything my older one is doing, and becomes laser-focused on being right there with her in the thick of it. And she's getting quicker and more assertive about it by the day. She adores her big sister, which is sweet and all - but her constant attention drives my older one crazy. My older one is really easily overwhelmed and feeling like her little sister is trailing her non-stop is leading to lots of meltdowns. Today I felt like each kid alternated losing it over something the other one did or didn't do. </p> <p>I can distract my younger one for a bit, but if she sees her big sister doing anything else, she zeroes in on it and jumps right in. Both kids do well with things together outside - running around, bubbles, playing in the yard, things like that...but it's hot and I can't keep them out all day. :) </p> <p>Any tips or tricks? Is this just a grin and bear it kind of phase? Three has been a very challenging year for us with my older daughter, and as my younger one is turning into more of a toddler than a baby I'm sensing more trouble brewing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/aunts-advice-giving-me-doubt#post-2827791 Tue, 12 Jun 2018 06:36:51 +0000 cat620 2827791@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH and I have been on the fence for a long time about having a third child, but just in the past few weeks I've started feeling like my family is complete. I have two boys - one is almost 5 and the other is almost 3. We are getting out of the baby/toddler stage, and I'm enjoying the ages they are at now. It's easy for me to take them places by myself like the pool or playground, they both play together really well, and I am getting time to myself when they both go to preschool some mornings.<br /> My wedding anniversary was a few weeks ago, and my aunt posted on FB to say congrats, but she added something else in her post. She said, "My one piece of advice — keep going for a girl to have one of each." She is the mother of two grown boys, so this got me thinking that maybe she has regrets about not having a daughter. Maybe she isn't happy with just her sons. Her statement made me feel doubt in my decision to stop, but I'm not sure I want three kids and it's also out of my control to have a girl next. Has anyone said something like that to you? Any advice for me? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-3-kids-always-lead-to-a-3rd-wheel-feeling#post-2827146 Thu, 07 Jun 2018 16:40:05 +0000 DesertDreams88 2827146@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH &amp; I are pretty decided and hopeful for a #3 eventually. But I just realized this morning, will having 3 kids mean that there's often a 3rd wheel feeling for one of them? What has you experience been as a parent or a child?</p> <p>FWIW, we have a boy and a girl, so one gender would be "alone." Also, LO1 &amp; LO2 have a 2 year age gap, but we're thinking a 3 year age gap minimum for LO3 (though sometimes I fantasize about bumping up our timeline!) I worry that the bigger gap could create more of the 3rd wheel feeling? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kids-and-the-environment#post-2825690 Fri, 01 Jun 2018 08:27:24 +0000 stormborn 2825690@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Do you think having more than one or two kids is bad for the environment? I wish to have another but my husband isn’t on board and I was talking to my friend about. She said that having more kids is really bad for the environment anyway to help me feel better about it. I guess there are some articles aboubit. I can see where that’s true but there are a lot of people who don’t have any kids nowadays by choice, so maybe it evens out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/timing-for-a-third#post-2817244 Thu, 19 Apr 2018 11:28:23 +0000 codeitall 2817244@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Totally honest, I want lots of kids. I grew up in a large family and loved it. But I WOH versus my SAH mother. I'm trying not to let my working influence the timing of my children, but it is a not-so-minor consideration given the logistics and pricing of daycare...</p> <p>So for those that had more than two kids, when did you decide to go for a third? What were the influencing factors? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-of-three-room-sharing-configurations#post-2815401 Tue, 10 Apr 2018 08:58:59 +0000 Mrsbells 2815401@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If your kids share a room can you help me figure out the best way to go about this? By the time DS2 is born, DS1 will be 2years old and DD will be 6. Currently they both have their own rooms. DD has a bunk bed and DS1 sleeps in his crib. We plan to have the baby in a bassinet in our room for the first 4 to 6months after that I am not sure if its best to just have the baby in this own room, and move DS1 to DDs room to be on the bottom bunk. On the other hand I would love to keep the two boys together since his room is more boy themed but wonder if the infant will disturb the 2 year old by crying in the night?<br /> A third option would be to just turn the guest room into a bedroom for the 3rd child but then we wont have a dedicated guest room anymore.<br /> What room sharing configuration do you have going on? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-birth-was-scheduled-during-week-did-older-kids-schedule-stay-same#post-2799346 Wed, 24 Jan 2018 09:49:32 +0000 SweetiePie 2799346@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So I know that my C section will be scheduled sometime around my 39th week.<br /> Last night I woke up and suddenly wondered what we do if it’s a weekday. My 3yo has school 9-12 M-F. My mom will be here to stay with him so I’m not worried about childcare. More about logistics - does he still go to school the day of? The day after?<br /> Part of me (most of me) thinks his life should remain status quo but then it also seems weird to have such a huge life-change and remain status quo. Know what I mean?<br /> I guess if he doesn’t go to school what else will he do...he won’t be at the hosptial with me all day at every day. So school makes sense?</p> <p>And here’s a sub-question because I’m too lazy to start a new thread - if they did go to school the day of or next day, did you send any kind of treat? Like “I’m a big brother!” With cupcakes or lollipops or something. Our school is all for parents bringing treats in for all sorts of things. And I think it might make the day special for him and he’d be proud? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-young-toddler-for-a-new-sibling#post-2789548 Fri, 01 Dec 2017 09:51:34 +0000 bees_knees 2789548@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS1 was 2y3m when we welcomed DS2. He adjusted SUPER well, and I like to think part of that is because we took some steps to prepare him for how life would change after baby brother arrived. We are now expecting DS3 in 8ish weeks...I’ve been trying to think of ways to prep DS2 but he will only be 19 months when the new baby gets here. Any tips on how to help him adjust? We have the “big brother” books, the Daniel Tiger episodes, we talk about babies and look at pics of when he was a baby (he still is 😭) but I’m not sure if there are any other tricks I can use when he’s still so young? </p> <p>DS1 is a pro. He’s jacked to have another baby! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/share-your-best-tip-for-transitioning-from-2-3#post-2762993 Sat, 29 Jul 2017 12:54:13 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2762993@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think there are now quite a few of us expecting #3! :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/getting-baby-2-on-schedule#post-2785278 Thu, 09 Nov 2017 08:36:14 +0000 Mamag511 2785278@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Any advice for how to get baby 2 - who is 8 weeks old - on somewhat of a loose schedule? With having a 2.5 year old at home with us on maternity leave, we just can’t get any kind of rhythm down and hes a fussier baby so I don’t know if that would help. Don’t know if I’m just really tired and unrealistic that he could handle some type of loose daytime schedule, or if I’m still in the survival mode of getting through those first few weeks. Any advise, words of wisdom are much appreciated! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/solo-vs-together-gifts#post-2786000 Mon, 13 Nov 2017 09:34:45 +0000 Adira 2786000@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How do you decide whether to make something a gift to both (all) your kids, give it to just one kid, or buy two (or more) of the same thing to give one to each kid??</p> <p>I have two boys who are only 21 months apart and they are interested in all the same things. I'm really struggling on how to figure out what to give each kid without having to buy two of everything or having them be disappointed that they didn't get something the other did OR forcing to share EVERYTHING. </p> <p>What do you guys do? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/2-kids-age-gaps#post-2784631 Mon, 06 Nov 2017 17:27:49 +0000 codeitall 2784631@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm trying to plan out when our third kid would ideally get here :silly: </p> <p>If you have more than 2 kids, were the gaps the same? Would you recommend different gaps between kids?</p> <p>What influenced your decision? Childcare payments, a house purchase, career things? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/balancing-the-very-different-needs-of-an-older-child-and-a-toddler#post-2782703 Sat, 28 Oct 2017 05:37:10 +0000 Cherrybee 2782703@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Any techniques/advice appreciated. I was an only child, with no extended family, so I have no experience to fall back on.</p> <p>My 4.5 year old has always been very demanding as far as attention goes. She's not great at solo play - even tablet/TV time requires my undivided attention ("Mummy, you're not watching!") and if I walk away to make a drink, she follows me. She talks incessantly. </p> <p>My 18month old is a completely different character. She happily plays with toys, loves watching baby programs on TV. She's a joy. But she's a toddler, so she snatches, runs away with jigsaw pieces, tramples the My Little Pony village and generally causes havoc.</p> <p>I work all week and am frequently solo with both girls for a lot of the weekend.</p> <p>Any idea how to balance their needs? Taking turns and playing together isn't working because S (18mths) doesn't understand the concept and E (4.5) expects to see some justice, over and above a gentle "no, it's E's turn" .... But I'm not going to discipline a baby for snatching.... </p> <p> E (4.5) is constantly begging me to play with her, then flies into a rage when S joins in because she "isn't doing it right". Then S snatches something and E cries..... E is forever taking S's toys off her mid play, for mo reason other than to be cruel. </p> <p> If I put something on TV for S, E moans/shouts/stamps all the way through, then insists on picking the next programme because it's "her turn". She then deliberately chooses something she knows S doesn't like. But this only results in S climbing or doing some other wild behaviour that requires my direct supervision - ending in E abandoning the show, finding us and asking me to play with her.... </p> <p>I just tried reading books to them together, but S was wild, climbing all over me, grabbing the books, trying to turn the pages too soon. It was really irritating E. Then S toddled off and returned with one of her books. I had read two long picture books of E's choice, so I declared S's book was next. E flew into a rage because she had decided what order her chosen ten books should be read in and Rabbits Nap (S's book) didn't feature.... I declared reading time over, until she could take turns....</p> <p>.... I'm now downstairs with S, watching Teletubbies. S is loving it. E came downstairs and announced she wanted to watch a show. I said she could watch Teletubbies with us or a different show upstairs,in my room. She picked a different show. As I was leaving my bedroom, she said "will you watch it with me?". I can't leave a toddler downstairs alone so I had to decline.</p> <p>I know E just wants my undivided attention. I know she must feel as though I'm always choosing S over her. But S is 18mths old, I can't leave her alone downstairs while I play with E in her room, so if E won't compromise (which means accepting that S doesn't know not to snatch yet), she's always going to be sulking alone somewhere :crying:</p> <p>Any thoughts appreciated. :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/stopping-at-2-kids#post-2782146 Thu, 26 Oct 2017 08:57:32 +0000 Becky 2782146@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>There have been a lot of posts about considering 3 or more kids. We are considering 3 but I am fairly high stress. I love the idea of 3 and big family gatherings down the road, but sometimes it's so hard to manage just 2. I enjoy doing things on my own and look forward to the freedom of gardening or going to a yoga class as the girls get older, and having a third would push that down the road. But then I think of 2 kids at the table compared to 3, and 2 sounds lonely. We do live near family and gatherings are always big. </p> <p>I have 2 sisters, but one is a half sister 17+ years older than me and she lived with her mom, and the other is 6.5 years older so I don't really have a lot of context. I live in an area where big families are very common, but where I grew up I knew tons of families with only 2 kids. </p> <p>If you have 2 kids or grew up with as one of 2, does/did it feel like enough? Did it feel lonely? if you live in an area where large families are common, did your kids feel left out? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cant-decide-if-i-should-have-a-third#post-2780014 Mon, 16 Oct 2017 19:58:42 +0000 cat620 2780014@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I keep going back and forth over if I should have a third child or not. I have two boys who are 2 and 4 years old, and life is good right now. They both sleep through the night, they play together well, and I am comfortable taking them places by myself. Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to have a daughter, and I know I can't guarantee I would get one, but I also think two kids seems like a small family. I imagine holidays and family gatherings, and everything seems more fun with more people. But I can't bring myself to commit to TTC, because I'm nervous that I'll throw my life into chaos and I won't be able to juggle the needs of three kids and their different schedules. I am someone who likes to feel in control, and I also appreciate having alone time and quiet, so I'm not sure having three kids is compatible with that. I can't tell if I really want another child or if I'm just romanticizing large families. Has anyone felt similarly? What did you end up doing? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/1st-vs-2nd-personality#post-2765267 Fri, 04 Aug 2017 16:28:42 +0000 LilSprinkles 2765267@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How different our your children's personalities? DS is very calm, easy going, reserved, quiet boy (exacty like me and DH). A few people I know talk about how there oldest is the same way as DS and there next child is like a tornado. Is that usually how it is? </p>