https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 21 May 2026 09:45:58 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-back-to-school-as-an-adult-with-young-kids#post-2928038 Tue, 28 Feb 2023 08:53:41 +0000 LadyDi 2928038@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Has anyone earned a degree with young kids? Is this a truly terrible idea?</p> <p>I've stayed home with my kids since 2018 and worked random side jobs but after thinking about it for a long time I would like to get back into the workforce. I would like to change career paths because I am not interested in returning to my pre-kid industry. I've spent a lot of time thinking about what I would like to do "when I grow up" and settled on something that makes me really excited. I am trying to find a part time job in my desired field (librarianship) but it is easier said than done. I'm considering going back to school to earn a masters degree in library and information science but I am really nervous I am going to bite off more than I can chew. My kids are still young and won't be in school full time for a couple of years but I would like to start now. </p> <p>The program I am looking at is completely online and it's asynchronous so I can do it on my own time. I'm thinking about dipping my toe in the water this fall and starting with one class and seeing how it goes. Has anyone gone back to school with young kids? I would love to hear others' experiences. Bonus points if anyone is a librarian and would like to talk about the field :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-post-job-interview-regrets#post-2928121 Thu, 23 Mar 2023 10:08:43 +0000 Chuckles 2928121@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just had a job interview yesterday, and I'm totally kicking myself and rethinking a bunch of my answers to questions. That happens to me after every interview, but I feel like especially this time. As much as you can prepare ahead of time, you're still thinking on your feet in the moment, and it's so easy to come up with better answers when you've had more time to process the question. That's normal, right? I'm also a total perfectionist at work, so I hate that people might come away with an impression of me that isn't my very best work.<br /> DD has been sick this week, so I was also on day 4 of not a ton of sleep. I wish I could email the interviewer and say, I feel like I wasn't as thorough with my answers as I could have been, but I was really sleep-deprived. That would be super unprofessional, and I know I can't do it. I can't, right?? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-for-architect-bees#post-2925159 Fri, 08 Oct 2021 08:37:18 +0000 Chuckles 2925159@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have a question for any architect bees, or if your spouse is an architect. DH got laid off last week. He's a licensed architect with almost 25 years of experience. He was working for a small firm, and they just ran out of work. Here's what I'm wondering... I see a good number of job listings for "Project Architect" or "Level II Architect" that also specify "over 5 years of experience." My interpretation is that they want to make sure the person isn't fairly new, but that there's no experience cut off, especially if they are looking for someone who is licensed. DH's interpretation is that they want someone with 5-10 years of experience and it's not worth applying for. But I don't really see anything that specifies more than 10 or 15 years of experience. I'm trying to decide how much to pressure him to apply for these types of postings, but obviously I've never hired an architect, so I don't really know. Any insight would be appreciated! Thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/job-searching-when-happily-employed#post-2924980 Tue, 21 Sep 2021 10:29:29 +0000 josina 2924980@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Any tips for job interviewing when you're currently happily employed?<br /> I enjoy my current job, but there is a nearby opening for a very similar position that I would probably excel at. My only reason for leaving would be better pay / benefits.</p> <p>I have a phone interview today to go over the position. Any tips/questions I should be asking? How do I bring up what the pay is as they haven't disclosed that? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-with-interview-question#post-2924664 Mon, 16 Aug 2021 11:02:31 +0000 mrskansas 2924664@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have a job interview today in the same industry I'm currently working in, doing what would be a very similar job. I do really enjoy my job and my coworkers, however I am deeply concerned about the financial future of my current employer. I work in accounting so unfortunately I can see that the current company is, for lack of a better word, hemorrhaging money. The job I'm interviewing for does pay better but I definitely don't want to say I'm just looking for more money.</p> <p>I know they will ask why I'm looking for a new job and want to be honest without bashing my employer. I work in construction and it's a small "world". </p> <p>Can anyone help with how I should address this? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/freelance-gigs-writing-or-similar#post-2924459 Thu, 29 Jul 2021 13:04:35 +0000 LadyDi 2924459@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm just curious to see if anyone is a freelance writer/editor/resume writer, etc? For the past couple of years I have been mostly SAH but I have also worked on a VERY loose basis for a friend of mine doing some light editing/proofreading/writing. Over the summer I started working from home for about 10 hours a week as a remote assistant to a mom who owns a cleaning company, just responding to emails and scheduling appointments...things like that. I really like the freelance life and I like being an assistant but ultimately I would like to pursue something like resume writing or even grant writing. My youngest is 2 now so I am starting to think about what I want to do long term and I was just wondering if anyone out there freelances like this..how did you get started, how it's going, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/supervisor-or-management-classes#post-2923008 Tue, 23 Mar 2021 18:39:09 +0000 Corduroy 2923008@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm considering taking either a Management and Supervisory course (or both) at a local university. Both are during work hours for a few weeks. I don't know anyone who has taken a course like that. Everyone I know has moved up through an MBA and then complained that they didn't learn anything applicable through their MBA. I don't see myself getting an MBA at this point.</p> <p>Have you taken a specific Management or Supervisory course? I'd love to hear your thoughts or recommendations.</p> <p>My goal in taking the course would mainly be to improve my knowledge of management since I'm in a technical field, managing a technical team and I haven't studied anything like that.</p> <p>I'd like to pitch one or both to my boss, mainly asking for the time to take the course. He's retiring this year and in his plan (signed off by some but not all of management) I'll be going from individual contributor to having a dotted line team of seven in a few months and then adding another team of two at the end of the year. That will make me the leader of our group at our campus.</p> <p>Course descriptions below:</p> <p><a href="https://cpe.ucdavis.edu/section/supervisory-skills" rel="nofollow">https://cpe.ucdavis.edu/section/supervisory-skills</a></p> <p><a href="https://cpe.ucdavis.edu/course/management-development-effective-management-practices" rel="nofollow">https://cpe.ucdavis.edu/course/management-development-effective-management-practices</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/employee-appreciation-stumped-help-me-come-up-with-ideas#post-2922674 Tue, 23 Feb 2021 17:34:06 +0000 Cait1 2922674@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi guys - I manage a small team (~15 people) who are currently all remote due to Covid. Our company is encouraging managers to come up with ways to celebrate “National Employee Appreciation Week” in March. The caveat is that we can’t spend any money (so my usual “go to’s” like gift cards, free lunch, etc.) are out. I’m trying to come up with other ideas but am struggling. My team isn’t real isn’t big on games or contests. A couple thoughts I had:<br /> - Early dismissal (essentially let them log off a couple hours early)<br /> - Thoughtful, individualized note or email to each person<br /> - Team meeting where the managers highlight accomplishments from the past year (we would usually buy lunch for that sorta thing so not sure if it would just highlight the fact that we arent this year) </p> <p>Can you think of anything else that people would enjoy? Thanks 😊 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/purchasing-vacation#post-2920733 Wed, 11 Nov 2020 19:40:14 +0000 gotkimchi 2920733@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Would you buy an extra week of vacation if it’s offered to you? </p> <p>It’s charged at 70% so we pay 70% of 1 weeks pay to have a week extra of vacation. What do you guys think? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/job-search-vent#post-2917739 Mon, 27 Jul 2020 20:20:56 +0000 MrsSRS 2917739@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just a rambling vent because I need to talk about it more but I've already whined to all my friends 🤣. I'm a preschool teacher and I have long planned to edge out of the profession and into something new. I was planning on making that leap this winter after getting my youngest through the transition into kindergarten. But I would have had plenty of time to job search while in my current steady job...<br /> But instead I'm in the middle of a whirlwind job search while teaching 40/hours a week and single parenting my two kids. And I have a very hard deadline because my children start distance learning in four weeks. I can't still be teaching when that starts. I know it's going to be fine, but my god I need one of these job applications to result in something. Soon. And this week I have to tell my boss. And my coteacher knows and is so sad. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-cellphone-amp-robo-calls#post-2916821 Wed, 24 Jun 2020 20:10:43 +0000 Corduroy 2916821@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I got my first work cell phone a month into shelter in place because I thought the lack of phone was the root of my communication problem in my new role (turns out it wasn't). I get 1-2 calls per hour but there's only a call for me about every 3 days. I wrongly assumed company numbers would be pre-loaded as a contact list. But since my colleagues/vendors/customers are at home and calling from their home and cells phones I don't think a pre-loaded phone list would help much anyway.</p> <p>When I requested the phone I had no idea I'd be getting this many robo calls. Is it terrible if I stop answering the numbers I don't recognize? I feel awkward asking my new boss about it since I went out of a limb and asked for a phone. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-i-need-a-zoom-team-building-activity#post-2916331 Thu, 11 Jun 2020 11:13:16 +0000 erinbaderin 2916331@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have an all-staff planned for next week (Tran of 25) and as a management team decided to do a virtual scavenger hunt, put everybody into small team breakout groups, etc. This was humming along until today’s virtual baby shower for a colleague when the organizer did this exact idea, and 95% of the team was there. Now I need a new plan. Does anybody have anything fun? 25 people, not a tonne of team cohesion, a lot of people won’t participate unless kind of forced to by being in a smaller group, most people are on phones. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-woh-as-an-essential-worker-what-is-your-job#post-2914845 Fri, 01 May 2020 20:41:52 +0000 Ms. RV 2914845@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just curious. What do you do, how often do you WOH? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/furloughed-ever-been-or-are-you-now-any-experience#post-2913108 Mon, 30 Mar 2020 14:58:44 +0000 Ajsmommy 2913108@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So up until today my life was mostly just pushed into chaos bc of the closing of schools due to Covid19..... but as of 10 am this morning I am officially furloughed.</p> <p>I’m not sure what to think or feel right now.</p> <p>Wondering if anyone could share insight/advice/experience. </p> <p>Should I be panicking now or should I be optimistic or neither </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/wfh-setup-no-office#post-2913219 Thu, 02 Apr 2020 10:38:13 +0000 lindseykaye 2913219@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Curious to see how other people have set up their new work from home spaces if you don't have a dedicated office or separate area.</p> <p>I've newly been asked to begin WFH but we have a small house (which I love) and ours is the smallest bedroom of the three so it's a no-go for a true desk setup in there. I will need someplace quiet, at least for calls/meetings which I have at least a few a day.</p> <p>DH is home (SAHD) with our 15-month old and 7yo who is doing online learning. Our current computer desk area is in the corner of the dining room which works great for family use, but not so great for actual work, but I suppose it's what's going to work here pretty soon until we figure out the temporary/permanent setup.</p> <p>Trying to brainstorm some creative ideas but would love to hear what you're all doing! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/teacher-beeswhats-expected-of-you-during-school-closure#post-2912547 Fri, 20 Mar 2020 21:05:07 +0000 crazydoglady 2912547@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our school just had teachers agree on a packet (that we didn't even create) for the school to put on the website. Since all assignments are optional, we didn't feel the need to put a lot of work into it. We need to be "on call" via email, but that's it... for now, of course, as thing can change. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/negotiating-starting-salary#post-2912616 Sun, 22 Mar 2020 12:57:16 +0000 winter_wonder 2912616@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>All, please help with this negotiating question.</p> <p>I'm in the midst of negotiating for a new position. The offer I received came with a salary comparable for someone with no experience (and the person making the offer acknowledged this). Is it obnoxious to come back asking for $12,000 (in hopes of settling at $10,000 more). Otherwise, financially this move may not make sense for me/my family. Help!</p> <p>DH is resistant to a move right now, particularly with everything going on with the economy. Being an adult is stressful! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-job-an-essential-service#post-2912127 Tue, 17 Mar 2020 03:45:03 +0000 Ms. RV 2912127@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just curious.</p> <p>I am in quality control and a production supervisor for a safety equipment company. The company itself is considered essential. The quality part of me can work remotely, but as a supervisor I am expected to be in at least two days per week. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-this-seem-do-able-or-is-it-a-bad-idea#post-2911670 Thu, 12 Mar 2020 10:34:16 +0000 oldschooolmama 2911670@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Backstory- DH has been at his company for a LONG time and should have left a long time ago. He is finally ready to leave but he is our breadwinner. </p> <p>Anyway, the current plan is for him to quit his job and go back to an 11 week training for a blue collar type job. There is a grant that would cover most of the cost but we would still need to take out a private loan to pay for the rest (slightly over 4k) plus some for our usual expenses. </p> <p>Part of the program is getting your CDL class A license. So that plan is that if he can't get hired right away in the specific job field then he will get a trucking job in the meantime.</p> <p>Thoughts? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/higher-ed-and-working-moms#post-2911638 Wed, 11 Mar 2020 20:40:00 +0000 macintosh 2911638@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Does anyone have experience studying in a masters or PhD people while working full time as a parent? I’m seriously considering a masters program in my field. </p> <p>DS is almost 5, DH is disabled but he’s home to provide after school care next year. We live with my mom who also works full time. My job is pretty low stress most of the time. My mom went to grad school after she had 2 kids (but not working full time) and she’s for it.</p> <p>If you have any success/horror stories to tell or tips to share please do. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/benefits-and-salary-negotiation#post-2910883 Thu, 27 Feb 2020 18:58:37 +0000 macintosh 2910883@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I posted a couple weeks ago that my employer (non-profit) sold their daycares, one of which my son attends at a considerable employee discount. Today I found out exactly how much they are screwing us over.</p> <p>They have restructured the discount we are offered resulting in an increase of $400 per month. This will be an additional $2000 over the course if the next 5 months until my son goes to kinder. </p> <p>Besides being extremely disappointed in the way they handled everything, I think I deserve to be compensated for the loss of this benefit. I accepted my position and took a pay cut knowing my son would have heavily discounted (and high quality!) preschool for 2 years.</p> <p>Any advice for how to negotiate this with my boss and HR? I successfully negotiated my starting salary but my salary is still very low for my field because it’s a nonprofit. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/coming-to-terms-with-work-decision#post-2901646 Wed, 06 Nov 2019 08:56:01 +0000 lindseykaye 2901646@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I need some help coming to terms with a decision not to take a promotion that requires relocation. Maybe this is also just needing to get it off my chest to people who may understand better than most people close to me.</p> <p>Long story (short?) - about a year and a half ago I was brought in to discuss a potential promotion within my department at a large global company. Moving from a location-based to a regional role. This would have allowed me to continue to work from my current city which I love and travel intermittently which I have been doing for the past two years. It took months for them to post the positions on the internal board, months more to begin interviews, and then once that was done we were having a rough year financially and there was a hiring freeze. Now, it seems they will not be filling the positions for the foreseeable future. The only other person who held my title within this region (who also applied to one of the three new regional roles) left the company a few weeks ago to relocate to the area where she would have been based out of if they filled the roles. I am now stepping in to support her location (the largest in the world) while a decision is made for how to proceed.<br /> They want me to take the role to replace her, but it would require moving across the country with my husband and small children.</p> <p>I know people do this all the time, but we absolutely LOVE where we live and our community. All of DH's extended family (minus his sister) live within a few hours and we are very close to them. My brother and SIL also live within a couple hours. The friends we have here are lifetime type of friends.<br /> Add on top of that my mom was just diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and there is a chance she and my father will move back to our state (though there are no firm plans) and I will be devastated if I move away only for them to be back home. Side note - the new location is equally as far a drive/flight to them now as our current city.</p> <p>I am so sad to say no to this opportunity. DH very, very much does not want to move. I am open to it to an extent but that's because it's my career development that is directly impacted. My VP came to talk with me about the position yesterday and I haven't given my final answer but I know I need to be in this 100% for it to work on both sides (mine and the company) and I'm just... not.</p> <p>I cried myself to sleep last night and I am tearing up now even thinking about it either way - whether I say yes and risk our family peace and connections, or whether I say no and give up this opportunity. </p> <p>My decisions feel like they're based on fear - fear of missing this kind of chance (and income) again, fear of putting my family through a potentially really difficult change, fear of taking the job and then regretting it. I don't know how to get past this part and feel good about prioritizing my family over my career. I am just so afraid that nothing will work out in my favor here - whether I take it or not. I need to let this go and trust that things will be fine but I don't know how to do that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/chastised-for-using-asap-at-work-thoughts#post-2908684 Mon, 20 Jan 2020 19:13:35 +0000 Cait1 2908684@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So, this is kind of a weird question for a parenting forum but I know a lot of you guys WOH so hoping you’ll humor me :silly: </p> <p>I’m financial reporting supervisor at a large national company. We are in the midst of our budget season right now and are working with our executive team to coordinate budget cuts - which entails lots of emails, and deadlines, and meetings, etc. </p> <p>One of the people we need to collect this information from is our VP of IT. My boss asked me to prioritize getting this info and said we need it by mid month at the latest.. He sent an email himself to the VP and said essentially we need you to get back to us with this quickly and if you do not we will cut your funding - which is honestly a more aggressive tone than I was planning to take myself. That said, I reiterated the message in the weeks leading up to the deadline and used the same or very similar language in my emails. </p> <p>The deadline passed last Thursday. I sent an email on Friday saying “Hi VP, just a reminder that we need this info ASAP. When do you think you’ll have it?” I figured, the deadline has passed so obviously that timeframe didn’t work for him, the next appropriate thing to do would be to ask when he CAN get it to us. </p> <p>Well, my boss chewed me out today for using the phrase “ASAP” and for asking when we’ll get the info. Said it was unprofessional and to be understanding that the VP is very busy and important.</p> <p>I feel horrible and I’m embarrassed for saying something stupid. I truly didn’t mean anything snarky or bitchy and really just meant to convey “hey, we haven’t heard back from you yet and we need this info fast, when can we expect it?” I don’t think the VP cared at all, this seems to be just my boss’ personal take.</p> <p>What do you ladies think - is “ASAP” rude or unprofessional in a work setting? I’m a little annoyed because he was using similar language in his emails. The fact that it’s fine for him but not me makes me wonder if it’s kind of an old school /sexist mentality about how women should speak? Sorry for the rambling post. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-make-the-most-of-your-vacation-days#post-2907420 Thu, 02 Jan 2020 14:24:13 +0000 Corduroy 2907420@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>With the new calendar year I'm starting to plan my PTO for 2020 to make sure we can fit in everything we want to do. I'm in a good spot this year since I negotiated extra with a role change a couple months ago but I don't want to squander it. Any tips or tricks? What are you trying to fit in? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/high-school-teachers-do-you-like-your-job#post-2906825 Mon, 23 Dec 2019 12:48:00 +0000 skinnycow 2906825@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Long story short, I'm considering a major career change from tax accounting to teaching high school business. I currently work in a high-pressure field that requires very long hours at certain times of year. I understand that teachers work overtime but I"m hoping that the overall balance will be better.</p> <p>Is anyone here a high school teacher? Can you tell me what you like and dislike about your job? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/husbands-job-hunt-and-dealing-with-emotions-amp-letdowns#post-2902496 Thu, 14 Nov 2019 14:41:55 +0000 paigeface 2902496@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So I posted a few months back on my husbands job hunt and how frustrating the experience it was. You guys were so helpful so I wanted to write in again. My husband has gone through a few interviews and has gotten to the last rounds on all. Recently, he found his "dream" job in the same market he is currently in and was referred by a family friend who currently works there. He had a wonderful interview and all looked promising. He even had follow-ups with the gentleman that interviewed him. He was sent the assessment 2 nights ago and took it and felt really good about it. Today, he received an email saying they would be conducting more interviews throughout the remainder of the month but is still in the running. He took it as a nice way of them saying no. He is so disappointed and let down as am I. He is more than qualified for the position and its just so disheartening. How did you bees deal with this? Have you gone with something similar? Hugs to anyone who has because this is so tough. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-insuranceopen-enrollment-buffs#post-2901534 Mon, 04 Nov 2019 20:47:13 +0000 gotkimchi 2901534@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I need to enroll and I’m having trouble comparing the plans</p> <p> Ppo. Hsa1. Hsa2. Hsa3<br /> Deductible 2000. 3000. 5000. 10000<br /> Oop max. 8000. 8000. 9000. 10000<br /> Premium. 244/mo 172. 148. 50<br /> $from work 200. 800. 1500. 1800</p> <p>If this makes sense to anyone let me know 😭 I’m considering the low premium and putting the difference in a hsa but will I get fucked? I’m thinking our cost will be around $2000? Just guessing </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/working-from-home-give-me-your-tips#post-2899178 Thu, 10 Oct 2019 13:31:24 +0000 LCTBQE 2899178@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I quit my full time job (last day was a couple weeks ago) with the intention to freelance for a while working from home. Ultimately, I think I'll probably want to go FT again, but for the meantime, I just started working again from my dining room table, and I'd really love to hear your tips/tricks. How do you stay focused and feel like a human? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sick-day-question#post-2893939 Thu, 08 Aug 2019 12:01:29 +0000 Corduroy 2893939@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm taking part of today and tomorrow off. On Tuesday I asked my direct report to cover something for me this afternoon and she said "No, I plan to call in sick day that day." I asked if she was ok and she said she was fine. I cocked my head and waited for her to elaborate with something like "medical appointment" but she didn't. I was so surprised she thought her statement was ok that I didn't know how to respond.</p> <p>I was (actually) sick yesterday and didn't get to circle back with her.</p> <p>I know there are legitimate reasons you could know in advance that you need a sick day. And there are a lot of questions you can't ask about sick days. Am I being a push over if I don't press why she was casually dropping that she'll be calling in sick? Or is it reasonable to assume a mostly responsible employee has a legit reason and wasn't flaunting that she was playing hooky? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/that-thing-when-you-feel-good-after-a-presentation#post-2893741 Tue, 06 Aug 2019 17:50:34 +0000 Corduroy 2893741@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>...and then too many people tell you reassuringly that you did a good job. And you realize you must have come across and nervous and unsure of yourself if so many people felt the need to reassure you afterwards. </p> <p>I just had that happen and I hate that. I really thought I did a legitimate good job. </p>