https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:11:01 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-parent#post-2366914 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 12:13:46 +0000 catlady 2366914@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Becoming a parent has changed me, but other events in my life have too. I used to watch tons of crime shows (CSI, Criminal Minds, etc) but I stopped after I watched my mom die a few years ago. That was actually before I became a parent. That being said, I get how for most people, becoming a parent would be the big life event that makes them more empathetic or emotional or whatever.</p> <p>Regardless, I try not to use the "as a parent" thing if I can help it. I have friends going through IF and I feel like these types of sayings would be salt in the wound for them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-parent#post-2366898 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 12:00:32 +0000 littlebug 2366898@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@birdofafeather: This, exactly. I thought those people saying things like, "I hugged my kids tighter today" or whatever were being totally melodramatic. After the Paris attacks, I couldn't stop hugging and kissing D. And with his surgery this past week? Ever since he woke up from surgery, he's probably thinking, "OMG, Mom, get away from me!" because I can NOT stop snuggling him. Certain commercials make me cry when before I would have scoffed at smeone getting emotional over them.</p> <p>So for me, my reaction to certain things did change after having a baby. But I think that phrasing it that way to someone without kids is just insulting. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-parent#post-2366889 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 11:48:57 +0000 birdofafeather 2366889@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@erinbaderin: @Foodnerd81: I was weeks away from delivering my first, and was so sad to hear about the shootings at sandy hook, but I didn't understand when friends were posting things about going into their kids rooms as they were sleeping to hold them. Then DD1 was born and I remember reading a story about a sick young toddler of a local acquaintance, and I was so overcome with sadness for them and imagining that happening to DD, that I did go in while she was sleeping and hold her tighter. So while I think non parents are absolutely going to have similar feelings of horror, for me, it didn't really hit home until I became a parents myself. So in a way, I get your friends comment, however poorly worded. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-parent#post-2366880 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 11:37:37 +0000 Mrs.KMM 2366880@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Honestly, I don't think becoming a parent has changed how things effect me. Criminal Minds is still one of my favorite shows. I still love to read murder mysteries / crime dramas. Same as before. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-parent#post-2366826 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 11:05:06 +0000 LuLu Mom 2366826@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@erinbaderin: I totally cried at this moment as well! All I could think of is my babes been stripped from my arms. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-parent#post-2366820 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 10:55:58 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2366820@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I only say "as a parent" when I'm describing mixed feelings about something, when I have two different opinions and one of them is as a parent. I wonder if people find that offensive. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-parent#post-2366801 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 10:34:22 +0000 erinbaderin 2366801@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mediagirl: I agree - I may feel things differently now that I'm a parent but I would never say "as a parent..." to somebody without kids. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-parent#post-2366779 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 10:15:22 +0000 TemperanceBrennan 2366779@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think - like most things - it's about sharing your personal feelings as opposed to assuming everyone/no one except X people feel those feelings. </p> <p>I think it is more accurate to say "Since I've become a parent, I feel X things more deeply." </p> <p>One of my best friend (who has three kids) tells me her favorite show is Law and Order SVU. </p> <p>Unless your kid has been kidnapped or been diagnosed with a severe illness, you are just sympathizing as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-parent#post-2366762 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 10:05:05 +0000 Mamasig 2366762@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It might make people angry, but it's totally true. My perspective on so many things changed after becoming a parent. Reading or watching things about sick children kills me. I think people who aren't parents can sympathize about a lot, but I don't know if they can truly empathize. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-parent#post-2366760 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 10:01:25 +0000 mediagirl 2366760@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, now that I am a parent things affect me differently. Example: I can't watch Law and Order SVU or Criminal Minds anymore. </p> <p>I really don't like "As a parent..." If the other person is not a parent, are you trying to invalidate their feelings? "You just couldn't possibly feel this bad because you're not a parent?" It's just a crappy statement. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-parent#post-2366750 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 09:55:34 +0000 Foodnerd81 2366750@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>There are definitely things I can't handle anymore. I used to love Law and Order SVU and actually have not watched it once since having my daughter 2 years ago. Certain things do hit me more "as a parent". And I was newly pregnant when the Newtown shootings happened and I do think it hit me extra hard but, no, anyone, parent or not, was horrified by that. </p> <p>Actually there have been a couple of local news stories involving toddlers that hit me a lot harder. Last week a toddler who looked a LOT like my LO was kidnapped and I couldn't even click on the links until she had been found. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-parent#post-2366743 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 09:51:38 +0000 erinbaderin 2366743@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It used to really make me angry when people would say "As a parent...." to me - I always thought that human emotions aren't restricted to parents. But since I've had B I've realized that it's true, things that didn't used to affect me so much hit me really hard now that I'm a parent. I went to see Mockingjay this weekend and there was a five second scene towards the end (for those who have seen it, the little girl in yellow) that made me burst immediately into tears that I don't think would have affected me pre-baby.</p> <p>Has being a parent changed how you react to things?</p> <p>(that being said I still think that "As a parent, I don't understand how anybody could shoot kindergarteners!" was the stupidest thing anybody has ever said to me, and my friend literally said those exact words as we watched coverage of Sandy Hook) </p>