https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 18 Apr 2026 14:47:41 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/almost-5yo-behaviour-out-of-house-vs-in-home#post-2893273 Thu, 01 Aug 2019 18:14:24 +0000 brownepiano 2893273@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My kids LOVE being out of the house. But as they get older (5 and 3) I'm finding that we can stay home more without all of us going crazy. </p> <p>They sometimes just need a detox from being out and entertained before they start playing by themselves again. So we'll have one REALLY grumpy day at home where I give them some attention and some time of being bored and grumpy and then the next day they are fine and go find stuff to do. The other thing that motivates them to stay busy without me is asking them to help with chores.</p> <p>ETA my 5 year old would not play by himself for the longest time, but once his brother was about 2 they started playing together and now they make up games together all the time. That dynamic has helped our home days tremendously because DS1 isn't begging for a playmate constantly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/almost-5yo-behaviour-out-of-house-vs-in-home#post-2893269 Thu, 01 Aug 2019 17:58:56 +0000 MrsSRS 2893269@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's so frustrating when it feels like you can't have a lazy day. I've found that in our house the key to a lazy home day that works is to do a little prep the night before. And it helps for us to start with sensory play. So after bedtime on a cold or hot day I might toss our kinetic sand box down on the floor with some little things to play with in it so first thing in the morning my LOs are engaged and not asking for screens. And then I hopefully can sit with them and drink my coffee while they play. Something else that really helps in our family is when everybody starts to get whiny we go to the TV and turn on a kids tabata workout and do it together. Even if we just move for 5 or 10 minutes it's usually enough to reset their emotions and then I can redirect to something constructive to play with. And I really think a picture chart of the day's schedule is key for peaceful at home days at this age. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/almost-5yo-behaviour-out-of-house-vs-in-home#post-2892962 Wed, 31 Jul 2019 07:30:14 +0000 muffinsmuffins 2892962@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsSRS: fantastic! We used to organize and rotate toys and that definitely seemed better but then I got lazy with all the pieces and whatnot ha. I’m sure he would love audiobooks and podcasts too. Thanks for the tips! </p> <p>@MrsADS: thanks for the commiseration! At least it’s helpful to know we aren’t the only ones since I know a lot of people have the opposite issue like @youboots so I guess it’s good we can take him places at least 🤷🏻‍♀️ </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/almost-5yo-behaviour-out-of-house-vs-in-home#post-2892865 Tue, 30 Jul 2019 15:19:49 +0000 MrsADS 2892865@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My almost 4yo is the same way and it sucks. We try to be out and about, but like sometimes we just have to stay home and do housework. And I don't want him to think he is going to be constantly entertained, but...yeah. He's so much better if we're out and distracted. We rotate between park/library a lot. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/almost-5yo-behaviour-out-of-house-vs-in-home#post-2892841 Tue, 30 Jul 2019 13:44:31 +0000 youboots 2892841@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have the opposite problem. DD is an angel at home. Outside of the house she can be a terror- especially when we have to leave. I dread taking her places. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/almost-5yo-behaviour-out-of-house-vs-in-home#post-2892840 Tue, 30 Jul 2019 13:40:42 +0000 MrsSRS 2892840@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@muffinsmuffins: maybe take a look at how you are storing toys? My kids and my students have a much easier time engaging when there is less out. And it really helps when I set up an invitation. Which can literally be as simple as putting the box of magna tiles out in the middle of a rug with a few animals or vehicles. We also have used visual schedules to structure our home days during rough patches. Also my son started listening to chapter books on CD at that age. It helped him relax and play while he listened. If any of that sounds useful I can try to be more specific! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/almost-5yo-behaviour-out-of-house-vs-in-home#post-2892838 Tue, 30 Jul 2019 13:33:15 +0000 muffinsmuffins 2892838@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsSRS: interesting. Any specific ideas? We have a mutual play space in our living room, a playroom downstairs, and he has some special big kid toys in his room.</p> <p>@pachamama: ugh so frustrating! He’s not into crafts but we did get some melting beads and water colour so maybe I should try refocusing to that. He likes art at school but at home it’s just tantrums! </p> <p>@Kemma: yes we have a large fenced private yard which he loves to spend time in. We send him out there on his own and he’s happily occupied but then as soon as we get out there, it’s the same thing (less than inside a little) but yes I agree, physical outdoor play is key. </p> <p>@ElbieKay: I tried this last night too, just sitting and chatting with him and had a cuddle. He seemed much calmer for bath and bed. I think I need to be more mindful of the day to day rush for sure. We had such a great weekend out and about and as soon as we get home it’s meltdown city when we have to get dinner ready, bed, etc.</p> <p>@Mrs. Turtle: yes! I just thought the other day omg what are we gonna do in our -40 endless winter 😭😭😭 It’s totally exhausting but we do have a good time when we are out and about...it just never seems like we can have a lazy day or else we pay for it. Getting baby bro to one nap will also be such a help for day trips. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/almost-5yo-behaviour-out-of-house-vs-in-home#post-2892759 Mon, 29 Jul 2019 23:33:47 +0000 Mrs. Turtle 2892759@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@muffinsmuffins: O is only 3 (4 in November) but we have the same problem. It's brutal and I would stay home so much more if it weren't for her. It's a little easier now that baby is almost 15 months and is only taking one nap. Also in the summer we spend like 98% of our time outside. I'm dreading this winter already. In home behavior is pretty awful right now and I hate being on the go constantly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/almost-5yo-behaviour-out-of-house-vs-in-home#post-2892757 Mon, 29 Jul 2019 23:13:07 +0000 ElbieKay 2892757@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My 5yo son has been doing this. We are juggling three kids, two full time jobs that are especially busy this summer, and a move which includes a house purchase and a condo sale. Also his twin sisters just turned one and are mobile and demanding more vigilance than ever.</p> <p>I spent time with him one-on-one two days in a row last week, and then he got lots of park time on Saturday and spent lots of time in the yard at our new house on Sunday. His behavior has been much better. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/almost-5yo-behaviour-out-of-house-vs-in-home#post-2892722 Mon, 29 Jul 2019 16:47:48 +0000 Kemma 2892722@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Do you have an outdoor space where he can play? My kids are ALWAYS better behaved when they’re outside so sometimes I just have to bite the bullet and go outside with them </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/almost-5yo-behaviour-out-of-house-vs-in-home#post-2892697 Mon, 29 Jul 2019 13:36:55 +0000 pachamama 2892697@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son is exactly the same and it's so goddamn annoying.<br /> will your son do crafts or anything at home? Mine hates fine motor skill stuff and puzzles and drawing but some kids like that.<br /> I will say home is the only time kids have to let loose and be themselves. He, like my son, is probably reining in his crazy all day and he needs to let it out. Sucks for us but they need to release somehow I guess. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/almost-5yo-behaviour-out-of-house-vs-in-home#post-2892694 Mon, 29 Jul 2019 13:29:55 +0000 MrsSRS 2892694@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How is his space at home organized? Maybe some shifts could help him engage more at home? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/almost-5yo-behaviour-out-of-house-vs-in-home#post-2892665 Mon, 29 Jul 2019 10:59:52 +0000 muffinsmuffins 2892665@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’ve been reading old posts and commiserating with those going through the f@@king fours and wondering if anyone else notices this for their kids/has a good solution:</p> <p>This has been a rough year for DS1 who will be 5 in November: started school and new baby brother. Tantrums and emotions and testing limits like crazy but it seemed to even out at the end of the school year. It’s amped up again the last week or so and it seems to be that he is a perfect child when we are out and about at parks, grandmas, museums, etc but when we get home it’s a freakin nightmare. If we don’t have outings planned and we are just around the house, same thing. All day whining, tantrums blah. When we are out, he is having fun, doing good listening, etc. Even when it’s a place like the park where we just let him have at it. I thought maybe it was the same thing as being at school all day and having to follow rules and then letting it out at home, but I’m not so sure. We’ve taken to just being on the go forever but with baby bros schedule there are chunks we have to be at home and those are terrible (plus I want to stay home sometimes!) </p> <p>Anyone else?! </p>