https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 12 Apr 2026 02:27:43 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-with-your-partner#post-2927842 Mon, 02 Jan 2023 17:33:59 +0000 togetherthroughlife 2927842@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We enjoy going to our local downtown arthouse movie theater for dates! Getting takeout and eating it at home (in the backyard in nice weather or inside when it’s cold) is a good way to support local business, not have to cook, but still have cozy and private dining when we are too tired to get dressed up and go somewhere. Haha.</p> <p>Going to our local arboretum, parks, etc. with a cup of coffee in hand — just taking a walk and chatting. Or going to the library or book store together and seeing what sparks our interest! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-with-your-partner#post-2927841 Mon, 02 Jan 2023 09:17:12 +0000 Lahela017 2927841@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are in the thick of it with a new baby, but when we have more time we enjoy taking walks together, ice skating, playing board games, craft kits or Lego kits, playing games on our old Wii (I'm not a gamer, so we did games like Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune), we used to do yoga classes together but haven't done that since having kids. There are online classes we could try if we ever get the energy again. :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-with-your-partner#post-2927840 Mon, 02 Jan 2023 01:32:09 +0000 Corduroy 2927840@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As the kids get older DH and I have a little more time and energy to hang out together. However, we're lacking ideas of what to do together and we usually just end up watching TV. What do you do to connect and have fun with your partner? </p> <p>In the past we've enjoyed a murder mystery subscription and a cocktail subscription. I'm thinking something physical we could do together, like fun light exercise, but I'm open to all suggestions. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/day-date-ideas#post-2927526 Fri, 30 Sep 2022 20:20:33 +0000 karenbme 2927526@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LemonJack: Totally agree that it’s normal behavior and my Dad needs to either be around more or be an adult and deal with the fact that his granddaughter is in a stranger danger phase. Also brunch, FTW. 🥞 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/day-date-ideas#post-2927525 Fri, 30 Sep 2022 18:03:00 +0000 LemonJack 2927525@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@karenbme: Oh no! She’s acting exactly like a typical two year old. Mine have all been like that at that age.</p> <p>My favorite day date idea is to go out to a nice brunch. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/day-date-ideas#post-2927524 Fri, 30 Sep 2022 07:58:43 +0000 karenbme 2927524@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bees_knees: that is my preferred solution, but explicitly not what they’re volunteering for. They have a theory that the only reason DD hasn’t warmed up to them is because we’re interfering so they want time alone with her. Really, though, she’s 2 and slow to warm up to anyone, and they’re only around for &lt;24 hours every few months, 12 hours of which she’s asleep, and always want to play in developmentally inappropriate ways. We do what we can to make visits to them (we visited 4 times this summer) but it’s a 3-4 hour drive with a toddler who doesn’t like the car and two 40-50 hour a week jobs vs one retired and one semi-retired empty nester. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/day-date-ideas#post-2927523 Thu, 29 Sep 2022 23:44:10 +0000 bees_knees 2927523@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think all of these ideas sound devine! Alternatively, could you put DD to bed a little early and then leave after? Assuming she sleeps well, that is. And assuming you trust your dad/step mom to either stay awake or wake up if they hear her… </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/day-date-ideas#post-2927522 Thu, 29 Sep 2022 22:43:19 +0000 Chuckles 2927522@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@karenbme: I was thinking of a relaxed walk somewhere pretty - forest preserve, botanic garden, etc, if the weather will be decent, and then a fancy brunch or lunch somewhere. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/day-date-ideas#post-2927521 Thu, 29 Sep 2022 21:34:40 +0000 Lahela017 2927521@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think I would do a fancy brunch, hang out at a park for a bit, and then get desert someplace else. If it's a nice day and you can't do too much walking, I'd do a short stroll at the park and then play a board game or something at a picnic table. It's it's raining or too cold, I'd go to a coffee shop to play a game. (My husband and I love playing Yahtzee together - it's chill and we can chat about whatever while we play, but it's still fun. Back when our daughter was still a sleepy baby, pre-covid, we would take her along to Yahtzee coffee shop Sunday morning date time, now we try to squeeze in a game after the kids go to bed once in awhile.) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/day-date-ideas#post-2927520 Thu, 29 Sep 2022 20:08:55 +0000 karenbme 2927520@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Chuckles: yeah, I can walk. I feel perfectly healthy and would love to be running/doing yoga as normal, but I’m supposed to avoid anything that would make me winded or engage my core, which is basically anything more than walking. 😅 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/day-date-ideas#post-2927519 Thu, 29 Sep 2022 20:04:01 +0000 karenbme 2927519@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@caitcat: I love this idea, but the one time my dad buckled DD into her car seat he just buckled the bottom part and somehow didn’t see (forgot about?) the chest clip and didn’t tighten the straps and we had to pull over on the side of the highway to buckle her, so there isn’t a lot of trust for them driving her places. But you can’t tell them anything because “we raised 4 kids between the two of us, and you all survived.” But seriously, a plate of drunken noodles and two hours to watch a movie when we’re not already exhausted sounds like heaven.</p> <p>@JJ2626: lol, I would love this, but DH has a thing about massages 😂 I could definitely get behind fancy brunch though. 🥐</p> <p>@LadyDi: Restaurant hopping sounds fun, but I don’t think the timing is going to work even for an early dinner and apps, entrée, dessert is a little less lunch-y.</p> <p>The more I think about splurgey brunch though the more I like the idea. There’s also a nice brunch place up the road from a pie shop and we could do brunch and then pie, or maybe bring home a pie (we had pie instead of cake at our wedding). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/day-date-ideas#post-2927518 Thu, 29 Sep 2022 19:12:48 +0000 Chuckles 2927518@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@caitcat: ooh, yes! Pre-kid me had no idea how rare quiet time at home would be and how much I would enjoy it.<br /> Are you able to take a walk at a slower pace? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/day-date-ideas#post-2927516 Thu, 29 Sep 2022 17:42:29 +0000 LadyDi 2927516@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What about a couples cooking class? Or splurge on a decadent lunch? Restaurant hop and pick a different place for apps, then a new place for entrees and somewhere else for a dessert? Or, this is the complete opposite of that, but we have friends who, for every Valentine's day, drive around to all of the different typical fast food restaurants and get what they consider the best thing each place has and then have a picnic (so fries from mcdonalds, frosties from wendys, etc) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/day-date-ideas#post-2927515 Thu, 29 Sep 2022 14:42:47 +0000 caitcat 2927515@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So this is probably not what you're looking for since it's not an outing (and is kind of boring!)...but if I were in your shoes, I'd be tempted to ask my parents to take my daughter to the park and maybe on a picnic to get her out of the house for a few hours, and I'd get takeout to eat at home and watch a movie from the comfort of my couch. :) That would check covid-safe boxes for me and still feel like a nice time without a preschooler underfoot for a change of pace. </p> <p>Happy anniversary, however you decide to celebrate! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/day-date-ideas#post-2927514 Thu, 29 Sep 2022 13:58:23 +0000 JJ2626 2927514@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What about a couples massage and a fancy lunch? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/day-date-ideas#post-2927513 Thu, 29 Sep 2022 11:58:41 +0000 karenbme 2927513@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH and I have our 10th anniversary this week, and my dad and step mom have voluntold us that they’re coming up to babysit so that we can have some alone time and they can have some one on one time with DD. Our second baby is due in December and with Covid DD (almost 3) hasn’t had a ton of time when she wasn’t either at daycare or with me/DH, so we want to do it, just during the day because we’re not comfortable with them doing bedtime based on statements they’ve made about how most things we’re doing are wrong. But I have absolutely no ideas for what we would do for a 2-3 hour day date. </p> <p>I’m 28 weeks pregnant and have been advised to avoid exercise because of my risk of preterm delivery, so anything with alcohol, coffee or the outdoors is out. Maybe a matinee? I’m still trying pretty hard to avoid Covid as a pregnant person, which would typically, for me, mean avoiding movie theaters. There aren’t really adult-targeted museums in our area. I’m totally stumped. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-makes-you-feel-human-these-days#post-2924734 Mon, 23 Aug 2021 13:44:42 +0000 pachamama 2924734@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hmmm I barely feel human these days. I am a teacher starting soon so I have some crippling anxiety. I have not felt normal since I had my son 5.5 years ago.<br /> The only things I enjoy<br /> -running<br /> -sending my kids to my parents house (or anywhere away from me)<br /> -trying medication (I'm on anti-depressant #4 and it's not working yet. fingers crossed.) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-makes-you-feel-human-these-days#post-2924733 Mon, 23 Aug 2021 11:03:51 +0000 foodiebee 2924733@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@karenbme: As a fellow newish mom (DS was 8 months when lockdown hit) I really feel this post. Ive struggled mightily with losing myself over the past two years. I am very burned out and know that I need to make changes but haven't been sure what they are yet. I've gone to yoga this week and last once a week, and though I feel uncomfortable going in person, the time alone to connect with myself has been great. I need to do more brainstorming on what I can do to find time for myself, but working two jobs makes that really hard. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-makes-you-feel-human-these-days#post-2924732 Sun, 22 Aug 2021 19:42:20 +0000 autumnleaves 2924732@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Changing my exercise routine helped me. I was primarily doing zoom jazzercise classes and after a year plus into the pandemic, we ordered a rowing machine and completing a 20-30 minute rowing workout a couple times a week plus a short run has been good for my multiple health.<br /> Also reading at night - I have read more books this year than I have in a long time.<br /> I also recently started Stitch Fix. I hadn’t bought myself nice clothes to go out in for years. Not that I am going out much right now but I do like wearing non work out clothes that are more fashionable than what I wore 10 years ago. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-makes-you-feel-human-these-days#post-2924731 Sun, 22 Aug 2021 18:27:47 +0000 muffinsmuffins 2924731@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I got a fit bit for Christmas and started walking in the winter after the kids were in bed. I aimed for 5 nights a week. It was so nice and dark and quiet. That progressed to getting my old bike fixed up this spring and now I bike 5x per week after bedtime while I listen to podcasts. I try and do a longer route on weekends and build my mileage. I’m pumped I finally found an exercise I enjoy doing and I look forward to it. Thinking about buying a spin bike for winter too. DW and I order dinner out every Saturday night for ourselves as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-makes-you-feel-human-these-days#post-2924729 Sat, 21 Aug 2021 05:53:26 +0000 catgirl 2924729@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've also started reading for 30-60 minutes each night. I realized I was just wasting time on my phone, computer, or Netflix every night and feeling sluggish and having trouble falling asleep. But I feel so much better if I cut out all screens/electronics at least an hour before bed and read. </p> <p>I make handmade ornaments each year for gifts and I have started working on those, which is great! I love having my hands work on something. </p> <p>Something I do with DD when I need a reset is a 10 minute dance party. DH works weird hours and I can't always have time alone but I find this resets both of our moods. We stop everything we are doing, clear the living room floor, blast music, and dance. </p> <p>And honestly, the very best thing I have done to feel human and sane is to limit how much news I look at in a day. I want to be informed, so I do still check a variety of news sources each day but with a time limit. My stress would go up tremendously when I was overdoing my news intake. It's hard finding a perfect balance but I am always working on it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-makes-you-feel-human-these-days#post-2924726 Fri, 20 Aug 2021 20:53:02 +0000 Lahela017 2924726@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've gotten back into reading. In college and before I got married I used to read more, but then life happened and I prioritized other things. I read romance novels mostly that I find really relaxing and stress relieving. I'm so happy I got back into it.</p> <p>Earlier in the pandemic I was doing well with daily yoga, but that fell to the wayside this spring. I bet I'll get into it again this winter. I also did a lot of knitting and crocheting, but that's always been more of a winter activity for me too.</p> <p>I always take a daily walk, too. As I walk, I listen to a podcast, which is really nice too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-makes-you-feel-human-these-days#post-2924725 Fri, 20 Aug 2021 20:41:20 +0000 erinbaderin 2924725@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I like to run, and got more dedicated to it during the pandemic, going every other day in the mornings. But I live in Ontario and so really only feel comfortable with it from April to October, the rest of the time it doesn’t get light early enough to run before the kids have to go to school and o have to start work. So I got a peloton, and I love it. It gives me the same feeling I used to have when I took gym classes, but without the hassle of going to the gym. I actually look forward to it instead of making myself do it, and I don’t think at all while I’m doing it. </p> <p>I also just got a cross stitch kit - it’s something I did when I was younger and haven’t on a long time, but it is also something I’m really enjoying. </p> <p>And I’m currently doing my other favourite thing - my Friday night combo of a glass of wine and a double feature of Making It and Ted Lasso. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-makes-you-feel-human-these-days#post-2924724 Fri, 20 Aug 2021 19:42:43 +0000 HappyBaker 2924724@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@karenbme: I just started stand up paddle boarding and have been taking swim lessons! I HATE exercising and never understood people who loved being active haha. But I really love these two new things I’ve started and do enjoy being active in these two very specific ways. I was just thinking about this though so interested to read what others say. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-makes-you-feel-human-these-days#post-2924723 Fri, 20 Aug 2021 19:23:36 +0000 karenbme 2924723@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Corduroy: I like this idea, idk what my unicorn space would be either—I truly miss yoga, but I’m not fully ready to go back to the studio with delta and I hate zoom yoga because I can always hear the chaos in the background.</p> <p>@LemonJack: I got my hair cut for the first time since Jan 2020 at the end of July and it felt so good! I used to be religious about hair cuts, but just couldn’t risk it early on with a tiny baby at home and then the routine was broken. I made an appointment the day I got my second shot though. I’m fighting serious working mom guilt, though, where I feel like every free second that I’m not with my daughter is wasted because I get so little time with her especially since she might be my only baby. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-makes-you-feel-human-these-days#post-2924722 Fri, 20 Aug 2021 18:51:00 +0000 LemonJack 2924722@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Corduroy: I’ve never heard of unicorn space, but I like the concept. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-makes-you-feel-human-these-days#post-2924721 Fri, 20 Aug 2021 18:50:40 +0000 LemonJack 2924721@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’m slowly carving out more time for myself. I’m getting my hair colored/cut every couple of months (used to be once a year), and trying to be better about allowing a little time to myself. That’s getting easier now that my youngest is almost 2 (we were on the same Due Date Board!), but I’m right there with you about feeling exhausted and really nervous/apprehensive going into fall. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-makes-you-feel-human-these-days#post-2924720 Fri, 20 Aug 2021 17:47:19 +0000 Corduroy 2924720@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I struggled with this for a long time but after reading Eve Rodsky's book Fair Play I decided to try to find my Unicorn Space. She describes unicorn space as finding the magic and joy of you and sharing it with the world. Sounds like a tall order, right? (If you just mean finding time for a latte please ignore my enthusiastic over-answer.) Looks like she's coming out with a whole book on the topic later this year. </p> <p>I was totally stumped on what my thing would be so decided to try a few things while I tried to find my 'unicorn space'. One thing I tried was enrolling in a community rec class tap dancing class shortly before the pandemic. Timing was convenient and the class was around the corner. I have no dancing background and no big dreams of performing so I didn't think this would be my unicorn space at all but it's filling that need for me now.</p> <p>I've latched on to tap dancing because I literally can't think about anything else when I'm practicing which is really good for me when my anxiety flares up. I can also turn to it pretty much anywhere when I'm stuck waiting somewhere (in my regular shoes). I've been able to continue with zoom classes, YouTube, and now in person with masks.</p> <p>I don't know if this will be 'my thing' for the long term but it has helped me carve out more space for me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-makes-you-feel-human-these-days#post-2924718 Fri, 20 Aug 2021 15:13:24 +0000 karenbme 2924718@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi all, as we enter fall and with Covid surge 4 in full effect, I’m just wondering what (if anything) other people are doing for themselves these days. I am fully burnt out, as I’m sure many of you are as well, and seriously mourning the loss of freedom/brain space associated with becoming a first time mom and enduring a 2 year pandemic at the same time. So I’m curious—if you’re able to find time for yourself, how do you use it? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/secret-mental-health-day#post-2923563 Tue, 27 Apr 2021 13:09:22 +0000 Jessiemuller88 2923563@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Chuckles: I’m so glad you took your day! Last weekend, my parents watched my kids an entire Saturday, from like 9-5. I also had that weird shaky feeling, like I should be doing something, for the first couple of hours! That’s great you were able to enjoy the rest of your time and get outside. It always makes me feel best! </p>