https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 05 May 2026 03:29:56 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/besides-tv-what-do-your-kids-do-while-you-get-ready-for-work#post-2667852 Tue, 20 Dec 2016 07:53:29 +0000 HappyBaker 2667852@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Whoa thanks for all the replies everyone, sorry I wasn't getting notified so am just seeing this now! They are 4 and 2, the 4 year old is pretty good at playing by herself but the 2 year old is the kind of kid who keeps trying to stick stuff in electrical outlets if we take our eyes off him! We got them toys that encourage independent play for Christmas, so I'm hoping that helps us transition away from TV time! DD is getting a dollhouse and DS is getting a train set, I'm thinking of putting them in their rooms to encourage them to play in there so we can get ready while they do it. </p> <p>@PawPrints: I know, it is so early! We actually already have the clock for my 4 year old and she isn't as bad about it, the 2 year old is the one that usually wakes up and then is so loud he wakes her up! I don't think he'd get it quite yet but maybe I'll put the clock in his room and see.</p> <p>@irene: They are 4 and 2. I like the idea to have at least my older one get herself dressed or at least try to, thanks!</p> <p>@edelweiss: I'm hoping their Christmas toys will allow us to either cut to one show or cut it out completely, great idea. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/besides-tv-what-do-your-kids-do-while-you-get-ready-for-work#post-2667541 Mon, 19 Dec 2016 15:04:02 +0000 edelweiss 2667541@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>the hardest part may be the transition since they are used to watching tv at that time (and i totally don't blame you for using that--1 to 2 hours in the busy morning is a lot of time to kill for kids!). they will figure out something else to do, but there will probably be an adjustment, kinda like sleep training. you could help ease the pain by getting them something kinda new and fantastic to play with (holiday toys would be a great excuse to kick the screentime so they can have extra time with their new toys!). </p> <p>you could also try starting to put limits around the morning screentime, like one show, that's it, if you complain, then no show tomorrow (i do this with my son a lot, ha!). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/besides-tv-what-do-your-kids-do-while-you-get-ready-for-work#post-2667536 Mon, 19 Dec 2016 14:56:37 +0000 delight 2667536@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD is usually asleep when I'm getting ready. If she gets up though, I just bring her into our room and she lies on the bed. We chat or she looks through a "Look and Find" book that we keep in our room. She's usually pretty content to lie in our bed with her blankie though and talk to me. She is 3. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/besides-tv-what-do-your-kids-do-while-you-get-ready-for-work#post-2667436 Mon, 19 Dec 2016 12:59:14 +0000 mediagirl 2667436@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>She plays or colors or finds things to putz around with. She's pretty good playing by herself when need be. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/besides-tv-what-do-your-kids-do-while-you-get-ready-for-work#post-2667422 Mon, 19 Dec 2016 12:45:14 +0000 winniebee 2667422@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>They destroy the house or work on art. I really try not to turn the TV on in the morning before school because then they never want to leave and it is too hard to get them out the door. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/besides-tv-what-do-your-kids-do-while-you-get-ready-for-work#post-2667404 Mon, 19 Dec 2016 12:23:44 +0000 travellingbee 2667404@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsADS: same with my 1 year old. No way would he be ok in a pack and play or closed off area. Mostly he stays with us in our room pulling things out of cabinets and messing with my hair/makeup stuff. It's a joy. :bummed: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/besides-tv-what-do-your-kids-do-while-you-get-ready-for-work#post-2667388 Mon, 19 Dec 2016 12:15:26 +0000 snowjewelz 2667388@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>TV is usually on in the morning but she isn't always interested... Either we switch off getting ready (DH has more time than me anyway, he just has to get ready enough to get her to daycare), or she is in our room with me and she plays with my make-up/jewelry and what not. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/besides-tv-what-do-your-kids-do-while-you-get-ready-for-work#post-2667252 Mon, 19 Dec 2016 10:14:29 +0000 looch 2667252@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What can you do at night? Is showering at night an option for you? </p> <p>We had to cut all screens in the morning, so I feel your pain in giving them something to do while you're getting ready. Right now a Lego advent calendar is occupying my son in the mornings, but I don't know what we're going to do come January, lol. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/besides-tv-what-do-your-kids-do-while-you-get-ready-for-work#post-2667247 Mon, 19 Dec 2016 10:07:21 +0000 ladybee 2667247@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Tv, legos, and Paw Patrol toys. Around 18 months we had to cut all TV in the morning for about two months because he was obsessed! Now that LO2 is here, he plays with big brother. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/besides-tv-what-do-your-kids-do-while-you-get-ready-for-work#post-2667147 Sun, 18 Dec 2016 22:01:05 +0000 JennyD 2667147@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>She used to sleep until I was ready, so that was never an issue. Now to combat morning grouchiness (at nearly 5yo) I wake her when I wake and she can either opt to sleep until I'm done showering or she can start dressing herself and crawl in bed with DH. She is now responsible for dressing herself, and getting her shoes and coat. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/besides-tv-what-do-your-kids-do-while-you-get-ready-for-work#post-2667139 Sun, 18 Dec 2016 21:46:02 +0000 MrsADS 2667139@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think my almost 16mo is pretty high needs.... a lot of the suggestions that have been made for younger LOs would not work for him. He would be hysterical if I left him in a pack and play. He usually wants to climb/destroy/etc OR wants me to hold him. I can't do much getting ready without DH home, but if it was just us, I guess I'd have to figure something out! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/besides-tv-what-do-your-kids-do-while-you-get-ready-for-work#post-2667112 Sun, 18 Dec 2016 20:29:08 +0000 irene 2667112@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How old are your children?</p> <p>Back then when DS was a lot younger, waking up early is actually not really an option because unlike your kids who would be content by themselves, mine would come wake us up.... at 5 if that's when he wakes up! We had (still have) an alarm clock that we can set to turn green at a certain time. If he wakes up and the sky is still dark, and the clock isn't green, that simply means it is still in the middle of the night and getting up is not an option. He just has to stay in bed. You can provide incentive by giving them a sticker on the calendar at the end of the day if they stay in bed until a certain time?</p> <p>If he's a bit older, (3 and above), I actually had DS do a bit of chores: Get up, go to the bathroom, wash his hands, brush his teeth, change clothes (you can lay clothes out the night before). That buys you some time.</p> <p>Nowadays (at almost 5 years old) if we have a bit of time to kill, we have a reading app on ipad, and he may read digital books while waiting for DH to get ready to take him to school. Or he would ask to play with his toys in his playroom.</p> <p>I hope this helps! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/besides-tv-what-do-your-kids-do-while-you-get-ready-for-work#post-2667096 Sun, 18 Dec 2016 19:41:41 +0000 azjax 2667096@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS is 15 months and all about Mama these days, so he is pretty happy to follow me around while I get ready. I'll give him a hair/tooth brush of his own when I'm using mine and he loves it. When I need to complete tasks without him underfoot, we leave him in a hallway space with all doors closed, a secure babygate, and some books and toys so he can play independently. As a kid, I remeber reading a lot in the mornings if I got up early on a weekday. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/besides-tv-what-do-your-kids-do-while-you-get-ready-for-work#post-2667094 Sun, 18 Dec 2016 19:16:52 +0000 FaithFertility 2667094@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Pretend to put on makeup with me</p> <p>Eat some Cheerios<br /> Books<br /> Just talk with me as I get ready </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/besides-tv-what-do-your-kids-do-while-you-get-ready-for-work#post-2667041 Sun, 18 Dec 2016 14:36:02 +0000 nana87 2667041@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just cut screentime, and it def makes mornings harder! Dh works from home though so doesn't need to do much in the mornings to get ready, and so can play with her. Usually she wants to draw or play with blocks or her kitchen stuff. He gets her breakfast and packs her lunch, sometimes she "helps" cook. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/besides-tv-what-do-your-kids-do-while-you-get-ready-for-work#post-2666879 Sat, 17 Dec 2016 16:37:23 +0000 PawPrints 2666879@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Could you try an "OK to Wake" clock? 5am is really freaking early. I'd see if it's possible to convince them they should spend some of that time chilling in crib/bed before getting up.</p> <p>DH and I take turns in the morning. I get DD ready while DH gets himself ready, then DH takes DD to daycare while I get ready. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/besides-tv-what-do-your-kids-do-while-you-get-ready-for-work#post-2666873 Sat, 17 Dec 2016 15:28:15 +0000 Kemma 2666873@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Eat breakfast, feed the dog, get dressed and help pack their bags, play with their toys - they're pretty self-sufficient and happy enough just to follow us around and hang while we get organised. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/besides-tv-what-do-your-kids-do-while-you-get-ready-for-work#post-2666870 Sat, 17 Dec 2016 15:19:34 +0000 wrkbrk 2666870@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@HappyBaker: We play for about an hour and eat breakfast before work/daycare but while I am getting ready DS (one) sits in his pack n play and "reads" a book. Haha. It's working for now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/besides-tv-what-do-your-kids-do-while-you-get-ready-for-work#post-2666850 Sat, 17 Dec 2016 12:56:09 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2666850@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If they get ready really early we will send them outside to swing. By then we are usually loading up the cars outside anyway. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/besides-tv-what-do-your-kids-do-while-you-get-ready-for-work#post-2666849 Sat, 17 Dec 2016 12:55:25 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2666849@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>They eat their cup of yogurts </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/besides-tv-what-do-your-kids-do-while-you-get-ready-for-work#post-2666843 Sat, 17 Dec 2016 12:15:44 +0000 808love 2666843@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO dresses, brushes teeth and eats breakfast. I get a head start and it doesn't take me liking to get ready and DH helps with breakfast. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/besides-tv-what-do-your-kids-do-while-you-get-ready-for-work#post-2666840 Sat, 17 Dec 2016 12:08:04 +0000 DesertDreams88 2666840@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Self-feeding snacks in the high chair or playing with toys in a baby-safe area. Sometimes opening up all the bottom cabinets in the kitchen but that's only if I'm feeling generous haha. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/besides-tv-what-do-your-kids-do-while-you-get-ready-for-work#post-2666832 Sat, 17 Dec 2016 11:22:51 +0000 Greentea 2666832@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We actually just cut out all screen time! We brought building toys into the living room and watercolor paints. Those are the big hits. Mainly we tag team getting ready while one watches the kids, or feeds them, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/besides-tv-what-do-your-kids-do-while-you-get-ready-for-work#post-2666826 Sat, 17 Dec 2016 10:51:51 +0000 MrsSRS 2666826@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If I'm going to be in the bathroom for a while, my kids like to play in the shower or tub. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/besides-tv-what-do-your-kids-do-while-you-get-ready-for-work#post-2666824 Sat, 17 Dec 2016 10:33:18 +0000 bookwormmama 2666824@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a large living room area that we keep all his toys in. It's an older house and the doorway is regular sized, so I just put up a baby gate at the doorway and keep him in the living room area and he entertains himself. He's almost 3 and knows the things he's not supposed to mess with...but we also have furniture anchored and a big gate around our TV so he can't touch any of the electronics. The room is also meant to be like a family room/play room combo, so the room is meant to have him in it a lot. I don't really offer to entertain him and he figures it out quickly and finds something to do. I think he actually plays best in the mornings when I'm getting ready...he uses his imangination a ton! I just tell him I can't play/help/etc right now and walk away (unless he needs serious help like getting something down). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/besides-tv-what-do-your-kids-do-while-you-get-ready-for-work#post-2666822 Sat, 17 Dec 2016 10:21:43 +0000 Ms. RV 2666822@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I let DD play in the bedroom when I get early (OH leaves for work before we wake up). She likes to play with shoes, make funny faces in the mirror, and pull clothes out of the hamper. We also do a lot of verses of "If you're happy and you know it". </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/besides-tv-what-do-your-kids-do-while-you-get-ready-for-work#post-2666821 Sat, 17 Dec 2016 10:06:56 +0000 MrsADS 2666821@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Following... my son is only 15 months so usually my husband watches him while I get ready and we switch. Not efficient but getting up earlier isn't an option since he gets up soooo early. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/besides-tv-what-do-your-kids-do-while-you-get-ready-for-work#post-2666820 Sat, 17 Dec 2016 09:47:00 +0000 HappyBaker 2666820@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My kids used to wake up like 20 minutes before we had to leave for daycare, so DH and I would be ready before they woke up. Lately they are waking up super early and we have like 1-2 hours to kill where everyone needs to get ready. We've been letting them watch TV because it's easier but they are turning into monsters from watching so much and also waking up even earlier because they want more. </p> <p>Any ideas / what do your kids do in the morning while you get ready? Preferably things they can do with little supervision to keep them busy!</p> <p>We can't wake up before them at this point because they're getting up at 5 and I just can't do any earlier! </p>