https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 14 Apr 2026 19:24:20 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-different-stages-your-lo-went-through-play-better-to-youryour-so-strengths-than-others-stages#post-1657353 Sun, 25 May 2014 14:25:53 +0000 ILoveLettie 1657353@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO is 4 months so still pretty much a newborn. As much as we love her and love being parents, I definitely think that her being older is going to play to both DH and my skills so much more! We are both doers and very playful people, and can't wait until Lettie is more active so we can introduce her to imaginative play, more to the outdoors, so she'll actually enjoy the zoo and all the trips we go on, etc. For a baby she's very independent and not very cuddly (she loves just laying on her playmat or the floor) so it's honestly kind of boring sometimes--we both can't wait til she's more interactive! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-different-stages-your-lo-went-through-play-better-to-youryour-so-strengths-than-others-stages#post-1657332 Sun, 25 May 2014 14:06:01 +0000 Foodnerd81 1657332@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I won't say I hated the newborn phase, but it was HARD on both of us. It was both easier and harder on me because breastfeeding was the only thing that soothed her a lot of the time, so good for me that I could calm her right away, but bad for me because only I could. </p> <p>I am absolutely loving this phase though (minus the teething crankiness and occasional sleep battles of course). I am better suited for it since I enjoy playing with her and am just fascinated watching her figure the world out. DH can get antsy and will get up to get his phone or go do something else and thinks she doesn't need someone watching all the time-- and it's true that she can play independently for a while, but you need one eye on her or she will be knocking DH's golf clubs on her head before you know it (ahem, since he keeps leaving them out after I warn him about that). </p> <p>DH will be better when she is a toddler and running around and interacting a little more. That's when I will send them off to the golf course while I take a little break. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-different-stages-your-lo-went-through-play-better-to-youryour-so-strengths-than-others-stages#post-1657323 Sun, 25 May 2014 13:58:32 +0000 Ra 1657323@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I HATED the newborn phase. Hated it. I LOVE the current stage. He has so much personality and is so curious. I love helping him explore his world and introducing him to new experiences. I love playing on the floor with him and chasing him around the yard. I would keep him this way forever if I could! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-different-stages-your-lo-went-through-play-better-to-youryour-so-strengths-than-others-stages#post-1657320 Sun, 25 May 2014 13:55:34 +0000 Applesandbananas 1657320@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I loved the newborn phase, he was predictable, easy to soothe, portable, and just really pretty happy in general. DH wasn't a huge fan because LO wasn't very interactive. </p> <p>The toddler phase has been a little more challenging for me because DS isn't instantly soothed by me picking him up and talking to him softly. He pushes me away sometimes and fights attempts at soothing if he's really mad and that just breaks my heart. I also have to be a disciplinarian and I am by nature NOT confrontational or stern. DH is very good at being authoritative and he keeps cool during tantrums, whereas I get a little freaked out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-different-stages-your-lo-went-through-play-better-to-youryour-so-strengths-than-others-stages#post-1657275 Sun, 25 May 2014 13:18:32 +0000 Cherrybee 1657275@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Dandelion: Oh no!! Not a mummy preference! How exhausting! I guess we were lucky because we were bottle feeding - and DD has always been a daddy's girl! </p> <p>Yes, at least you know it will get better - and soon! You have something really tangible to look forward to because you've seen how much fun it is!</p> <p>I think DH will find it easier again when E is interested in children's TV shows or hearing a story; DH is a great storyteller! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-different-stages-your-lo-went-through-play-better-to-youryour-so-strengths-than-others-stages#post-1657271 Sun, 25 May 2014 13:13:07 +0000 Dandelion 1657271@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm like you...I can't just sit around. The newborn weeks are tough for me. It would be great for DH but M has a major mommy preference right now. </p> <p>I really loved D's toddler stage and right now I'm biding my time until then for M. .</p> <p>But I think we all (D included) are ready for more interaction. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-different-stages-your-lo-went-through-play-better-to-youryour-so-strengths-than-others-stages#post-1657266 Sun, 25 May 2014 13:02:49 +0000 Cherrybee 1657266@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH has been a grump today and this evening, over dinner, we talked and we worked out why! He is finding DD's current stage - crawling and getting into everything - really, really draining! </p> <p>DH is a passive relaxer. He likes watching TV, reading and playing games on his phone. The newborn stage suited him perfectly - he was happy to sit in front of the TV cuddling the baby for hours! If she cried, he would stop everything and hold her (while reading the news on his phone, perhaps). He has spent hours watching football with her!</p> <p>I found the newborn stage really, really hard because I'ma do-er. I don't generally like watching TV - I need to be doing stuff, cleaning, gardening, making something, researching something., chatting on here.... If I read a book, it's a parenting book or some other means to an end. When she cried, it meant I had to stop everything and sit; the nervous energy building up inside me would make me feel physically sick!!</p> <p>Now LO is more interactive, I'm loving it. I could sit on the floor and play with her all day! If she gets bored and whines, I find something else for us to play with. Let's paint, let's play with water, lets play with bubbles, let's go in the ball pit..... I love it! But poor DH - earlier, he was trying to watch the cricket while I made a batch of gyoza and DD kept crawling where she shouldn't, banging her head, trying to pull up in crazy places and if he tried to sit her on his lap she fought to get down and cried!!! </p> <p>Which phases have suited you best and why? How about your SO? </p>