https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 28 Apr 2026 14:18:08 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-ever-just-wonder#post-2265307 Mon, 17 Aug 2015 15:52:21 +0000 daniellemybelle 2265307@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetiePie: Me too! :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-ever-just-wonder#post-2265285 Mon, 17 Aug 2015 15:14:32 +0000 blackbird 2265285@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I really wish I could be a fly on the wall at daycare :grin: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-ever-just-wonder#post-2265279 Mon, 17 Aug 2015 15:07:25 +0000 Foodnerd81 2265279@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I definitely only let her eat in the high chair at home, or in the stroller on the go (non messy snacks). She's too distracted if she can get up and do something else, but strapped in the high chair she is a good eater. </p> <p>I shower during nap time or at night usually, or rarely in the morning before Dh leaves for work. I could do that every morning but I like sitting together drinking our coffee. He often gets home after bedtime so it's our only family time. But she gets really engrossed in Daniel tiger so I can put one episode and go get ready. I can technically shower during that time but I don't like that I couldn't hear her if she started screaming or something. </p> <p>And I def cannot unload the dishwasher with her free. She tries to climb in it. But I'll do it while she's in the high chair eating. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-ever-just-wonder#post-2265273 Mon, 17 Aug 2015 15:03:42 +0000 SweetiePie 2265273@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes! And I feel weird saying this because I'm so not a big celeb gossip person - but I wonder it about celebrities. Like I wonder what a day in the home of a celeb with kids is like. When they're not working. Are they involved? Do they crawl on the floor? Do they get chewed up salmon spit at them too? Do they wipe dirty butts and blow raspberries on the kids bellies? Do they also dance around like idiots to make their kids laugh?<br /> I mean, I know they are human too. But I just wonder how involved they are and what a typical day looks like for them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-ever-just-wonder#post-2265267 Mon, 17 Aug 2015 14:57:34 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2265267@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: kind of random but with the high chair, I kind of wish I had kept my lo in it longer... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-ever-just-wonder#post-2265256 Mon, 17 Aug 2015 14:47:31 +0000 littlejoy 2265256@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I always wonder how people are ready for baby number 2 after x amount of time. Our LO is 19 months, and is a crazy person! ;) I just wish I could see how other people's day-to-day is. Like, is my life that different, or maybe I'm just bad at handling the normal stress of having a toddler? </p> <p>And, we never sit on the couch either!! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-ever-just-wonder#post-2265108 Mon, 17 Aug 2015 12:54:57 +0000 Mae 2265108@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamasig: lol I wonder that too! I figure their kids either like tv or they get up earlier than I do. I totally could get up earlier and look nice every day but I really like sleep :) I couldn't watch TV if she cared/would stare at it/would ask for her shows but she acts exactly the same whether it is on or off. And I know there are all the studies that say I'm melting her brain by having it on even if she isn't listening buttttt I'm not sure I buy that and seriously I'd just be so bored otherwise lol. </p> <p>@junebugsmama: lol! I let her destroy stuff. And our house is really baby proofed. And I accept that I don't always get things done all at once. Like it usually takes me 3-4 tries to fully unload the dishwasher because I only get it partially done before she runs over and tries to make off with the knives (pro tip-- I unload the silverware first so that knives are off the table of things she can steal lol). I do let her steal plates or cups sometimes if it will keep her happy. They're glass but she hasn't broken anything yet and she isn't a violent kid (like she doesn't smack them on the ground or throw them)-- she just thinks it is funny to run around with a plate. To do laundry I fold it on my bed out of her reach and let her tear apart my room (then have to put it back together. It takes like an hour to fold 1 load of clothes). Errands are easy. I wear her still. She loves it and so do I (if I put her in the cart she's a nightmare). To do the floors I wear her on my back. She loves being on my back while I vacuum. Cooking is the hardest thing for me. A lot of times it doesn't get done if I can't wear her while I"m doing it. She's so curious and also really tall so I worry about her reaching up and grabbing a sauté pan because she can totally reach them. I sort of make it a point to do chores every afternoon. My LO only naps once a day so that makes it easier. </p> <p>@Alexandra603: good idea! My day: </p> <p>7:30-8 LO gets up. DH usually gets up with her and gives her her meds/starts breakfast while I get up and shower really fast.<br /> 8:15- I take over breakfast, give LO bottle, and we play<br /> 10- change her into day clothes and we go run errands or go to the park<br /> 11:30- home and we sit on the floor and play<br /> 12:30- lunch then bottle<br /> 1:30-3 nap<br /> 3 snack then bottle then play on the floor<br /> 4-5/5:30 chores<br /> 6- make dinner<br /> 6:30 eat dinner<br /> 7:30 head up to do the bedtime routine<br /> 8- in crib</p> <p>@Anagram: lol umm I don't think my LO would eat if I didn't make her sit in a high chair! She is in her high chair for all meals. Snacks I do let her run around with because I don't actually care if she eats them, but meals are messier and more important!</p> <p>@twodoghouse: you have TWO! There were 14 mo old twins at the park we were at today and all I could think was seriously I could never get anything done if I had two to keep happy and track of. Also I never ever shower while I'm alone/she's awake anymore. I have no idea how I could do that. I tried one time because I was desperate to pull the pack n play into the bathroom and put her in that with toys, snack, water, and my phone... ALL THE THINGS... she sobbed and almost climbed out. Now I just make sure I shower before DH leaves or I shower while she naps. </p> <p>@sooz: I wish we could spend more time outside but it is too damn hot and we are too pale lol </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-ever-just-wonder#post-2265039 Mon, 17 Aug 2015 12:08:45 +0000 sooz 2265039@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sometimes I wonder, too.</p> <p>I have two sons (ages 3.5 and 1.5) and we never watch tv in front of them, so my DH and I only watch tv when they're asleep which amounts to only about an hour at most in the evenings. My oldest son wasn't really exposed to any tv until 2 (when the youngest was born) and I needed something to keep him occupied while I nursed. Even now, we only let them watch, at the most, 30 mins of tv per day which is usually when I'm cooking dinner.</p> <p>We spend a lot of time at the park (probably at least 2 hrs per day), in the backyard, and doing some fun activity at home -- baking, artwork, helping mom do the laundry, vacuum, etc. </p> <p>Oh, and we also spend all of our time on the floor. Only sitting on the couch when the kids are asleep and we get time to watch the boob tube. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-ever-just-wonder#post-2264931 Mon, 17 Aug 2015 10:00:02 +0000 twodoghouse 2264931@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ShootingStar: We do all of our cleaning after DH is home and/or after the kids go to sleep! When they are actually both asleep at the same time I try to take the time for myself because I get burnt out easily trying to be "on" all the time while they are awake and still having rough nights of waking up with them!</p> <p>@Anagram: @littleredhairedgrl: Two is a double edged sword with twice the crying, whining, falling down, throwing things, keeping them from climbing somewhere crazy, etc. But it's so nice when they entertain each other now that they want to play WITH someone instead of just playing next to someone. You'll get there soon enough! I do think I get a lot more "free time" not having to entertain them constantly because a) they have each other and b) they are used to sharing my attention with each other. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-ever-just-wonder#post-2264919 Mon, 17 Aug 2015 09:50:10 +0000 Ajsmommy 2264919@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wonder this ALL the time and I KNOW it's drastically different! </p> <p>I sit on the floor a lot with DD but DH rarely does, maybe 3-4 times a week he'll get down on the floor, I am down there daily. As for tv we watch whatever we want, usually espn UNLESS DD fusses for a show, she'll pick up the remote and ask for "mim mim". We don't always put on but if we aren't really paying attention to the tv then we'll put it on for her. As for chores, DD loves to help. So I can get chores like laundry and dishes done fairly easily with her help. </p> <p>she still eats in her chair and we don't always eat together. This is something I'd like to change. DH eats in his recliner and i eat in the kitchen with DD who is in her chair. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-ever-just-wonder#post-2264888 Mon, 17 Aug 2015 09:29:59 +0000 Anagram 2264888@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@twodoghouse: You have two, so it's twice as hard! Actually now that I have two, I guess I'll be figuring those things out (how to get things done, how to shower, etc).</p> <p>With one, it was so easy...when she was little, she just sat in her bouncer while I showered and got ready. Then she was old enough to play on her own while I showered (I totally leave her in the LR by herself), and now she watches a show while I shower. </p> <p>But having two of the same age means you have to protect them from each other, haha. I'd probably just always shower at night or in the mornings when Dh was home from work. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-ever-just-wonder#post-2264882 Mon, 17 Aug 2015 09:23:40 +0000 littleredhairedgrl 2264882@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@twodoghouse: I feel the same way! I don't get much done during the day, especially since I try and nap when A naps since I'm now into my third tri and exhausted all the time. I have NO IDEA how I will manage to do anything once this baby comes.. And dh is the one who does the cooking because I just have no energy or time to do it. Also showering has definitely become a luxury.. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-ever-just-wonder#post-2264878 Mon, 17 Aug 2015 09:19:26 +0000 ShootingStar 2264878@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@twodoghouse: The only way we get anything done is to trade off. DH can stay with DS and I can be productive, or vice versa. If I was SAH, nothing would get done, except maybe at nap time. But I'll be honest - that would be my rest and relax time. </p> <p>For showering, I do it before DS gets up. He's usually happy for a quite a while after I wake up to chill out in his bed. Before that I would have him in a PnP with a bottle, before that I took super short showers while he was in a bouncy seat next to the tub. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-ever-just-wonder#post-2264872 Mon, 17 Aug 2015 09:07:57 +0000 twodoghouse 2264872@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh yeah, I wonder about this a lot. For instance, how the heck do you get chores done? I can get some things done during their naps IF they actually go down for a nap at the same time. If I'm desperate (ie someone is coming over) I will put them in the baby gated living room while I load the dish washer, but they will scream and throw things at me over the gate. Putting on Daniel Tiger might buy me a few minutes, but if I turn my back for more than a couple minutes they've climbed onto the couch and at best are throwing the books off the end table, at worst they've both climbed onto the stack of books on the end table and are wobbling precariously. I also don't understand how people shower, get ready, do their hair, fold laundry, etc. while their kids are awake. </p> <p>I was at a birthday party this weekend and I went feeling so self conscious. Would my kids eat anything other than fruit? Would they pull my shirt off trying to nurse? Would they steal toys from the other kids? Would they push each other down? Would Blake throw everything (the answer to that one was yes, by the way)? Would I say no too much? Would I not say it enough? Would I be judged if I let them eat pizza and a cupcake? Would I accidentally swear in front of kids who can repeat what I'm saying? But then we got there and all the other parents were sort of just concerned with keeping their own kids relatively happy and no one cared about my weird parenting hang ups. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-ever-just-wonder#post-2264871 Mon, 17 Aug 2015 09:06:46 +0000 ShootingStar 2264871@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We sit on the floor a lot too, though I tend to get tired of it and get on the couch at some point. And now DS get can off and on it mostly by himself, it's less of an issue. He's really good at playing by himself if we are nearby, so I don't always have to be interacting with him.</p> <p>For tv, we just don't watch adult shows around him any more. There was a long time that we could, but eventually got too interested and would demand something different than our shows. Maybe around 15 months he started doing that?</p> <p>@Anagram: We are the same way, I would never let DS wander around the house with food. For one, he might throw it where I wouldn't see it or drop it in the couch and it would get really disgusting. We also have a dog and she would be trying to share the food with him if he was on the floor at her level. The only thing allowed around the house is a sippy of water. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-ever-just-wonder#post-2264854 Mon, 17 Aug 2015 08:32:37 +0000 Anagram 2264854@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't really wonder, but I have enough friends with kids and have seen my own siblings and inlaws with their kids ( we have 8 nieces and nephews total) to know how different we all are. Obviously I think I parent the best. ;-)</p> <p>FWIW, maybe because I've spent the last 10 months pregnant, sick, big, and now in post partum recovery, but I can't even remember a time when I was down on the floor much with my toddler. I am in our glider or on the couch if I'm in the living room. But my older girl really is that independent type and she's generally happy to play around me, and just brings me specific things if she wants me to help (her coloring book, or a puzzle or something). The rest of the time, she putters around alone.</p> <p>When she watches one of her shows, she does it on the couch or in my glider. I make it a rule that she has to be in a chair, or she stands too close to the tv, haha.</p> <p>One other way that I KNOW I'm different from all my friends is that my LO still eats in her high chair for every single meal. I don't allow her to eat at her play table or on the couch or graze while playing (unless she is sick). Most of my friends are the exact opposite. I'm a lazy parent, so my parenting choices are generally about what's easiest for me (as long as it doesn't seem to make a different for LO), so it's easier for me for food mess to be in one place and I keep it that way. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-ever-just-wonder#post-2264848 Mon, 17 Aug 2015 08:23:51 +0000 littleredhairedgrl 2264848@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am curious what others do during the day too. A is 15m (13m corrected) and I sometimes feel like I'm not stimulating/teaching her enough and other times I'm maybe doing too much..</p> <p>I'm due with lo2 in 2 months and I want A to be able to do her own thing and entertain herself for a decent amount of time, but then when I try and let her I feel like I am ignoring her. And with the heat here in NJ and me being 7 months along now and high-risk, we stay in a lot and I feel guilty about it. Not that A even notices - she has a blast wherever she is. Just feel like I could be doing activities to tire her out more.. Also as a SAHM I find it super hard to make other mom friends. Definitely thought I'd at least have met a few people by now that I could spend time with during the day.. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-ever-just-wonder#post-2264807 Mon, 17 Aug 2015 06:47:23 +0000 looch 2264807@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't take anything at face value, I think that's the best way for me to explain what I generally think. If I see a mom that's got it all together, I usually picture her with her perfect clothes in a house that's a total wreck. It makes me feel a little better though, when I see other families with their parenting on display. </p> <p>My absolute favorite place to see this in action is actually in Walt Disney World. It's the perfect storm of heat, bad behaviour, attitude and parenting challenges. I distincly remember my son melting down over a carved wooden figure in Animal Kingdom...I looked around, embarrased, only to hear another parent telling his 10 year old to cut the crap, begin enjoying herself because this vacation cost a lot of money. I relaxed from there on out because everyone has their moments. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-ever-just-wonder#post-2264805 Mon, 17 Aug 2015 06:41:19 +0000 Foodnerd81 2264805@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wonder about it too- and always have the I must be interacting too much and too little at the same time feelings.<br /> I will say I don't ever have adult shows on while she is awake, except when she was really little and I could nurse and watch and she didn't notice. At some point she started getting distracted and turning to watch instead of eating, so bye bye on demand binge watching while she was awake. Dh will have sports on during the weekend sometimes which bothers me a little- I think I've gotten used to the quiet and the distraction annoys me! I turn on music when it's too quiet. </p> <p>She does love her Daniel Tiger so any time I turn the tv on she wants to "watch Daniel!"- another reason I limit it. </p> <p>Funny you mention sitting on the floor- I just realized I always used to, to the point that I couldn't wear certain pants because the rug would shed on them way too much. I guess once she started walking that changed and usually I am on the couch now. </p> <p>My problem with chores is she is perfectly happy to play on her own until I do something interesting like vacuum or clean the kitchen or whatever. Makes it difficult to do anything while she is awake. </p> <p>And, if I don't get her outside to play a lot she doesn't sleep. So we spend a lot of time at playgrounds these days. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-ever-just-wonder#post-2264758 Sun, 16 Aug 2015 23:29:28 +0000 daniellemybelle 2264758@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yep. Especially now that I am SAH I feel like other SAHMs must be like, speed cleaning constantly and I don't get it. I always feel like I am moving in slow motion anyway, but when I am with LO it is nearly impossible to multitask. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-ever-just-wonder#post-2264751 Sun, 16 Aug 2015 23:03:14 +0000 Alexandra603 2264751@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm curious about other's days too! I can tell you what a normal day looks like for us (I have 1 14-month old), if you're interested:<br /> 630 - baby wakes up, comes in bed with us for 15 min then breakfast.<br /> 8 - run or walk<br /> 930 - nap<br /> 11 - 2 we go out - usually meet up with some friends, go to a park, run errands<br /> 2 - nap<br /> 4-7 - hardest part of the day! she plays and I try to cook dinner, then feed her, bath, etc.<br /> 7 - bed and then I eat and veg on the couch :) </p> <p>I don't think there's any "right" way to do your days but it is interesting to see how others do it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-ever-just-wonder#post-2264748 Sun, 16 Aug 2015 22:40:12 +0000 HLK208 2264748@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did!! Until we got to the preschool age and it actually made me feel so much better about my parenting! (Not to be cocky, but I doubted myself often before that point). Now that my oldest is going to be in first grade, I really don't see other parents interact with their kids as much as I did at 3/4/5 so now I'm back to second guessing myself :silly: </p> <p>I'm also the youngest, my siblings don't have kids, my friends all have younger children and I really haven't gotten close with any parents at my son's school :bummed: so I don't see what others deal with. I would love to watch a super patient, respectful parent/child relationship so I could use some of their tools lol. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-ever-just-wonder#post-2264745 Sun, 16 Aug 2015 22:22:42 +0000 mrsbubbletea 2264745@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Totally! I can't think of a specific example but I don't understand when you describe how you get all that housework done. I need someone to follow me around all day and be like now. This is when you should do x y and z. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-ever-just-wonder#post-2264743 Sun, 16 Aug 2015 22:17:11 +0000 Mamasig 2264743@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes - I wonder about so many things. </p> <p>I always wonder how moms that look so put together have time and energy to get ready. What are there babies doing while they get ready? I always feel like I look halfway decent but you can tell I'm a mom and had a kid hanging off my leg while I got ready. </p> <p>I also wondered how so many bees have time to binge watch tv. My boys take up all of my time and they are into TV. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-ever-just-wonder#post-2264725 Sun, 16 Aug 2015 21:21:29 +0000 Torchwood 2264725@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've spent quite a bit of time around littles (former nanny), and I still feel this way! I was literally JUST wondering to myself what my day would look like as LO gets older. Right now she's only a week adjusted, so she sleeps about 20-22 hours a day. She doesn't even really fully wake up when she's eating a lot of the time. So it's hard to think what it'll be like as she's more awake and eventually mobile, etc.</p> <p>For what it's worth, as a nanny I ALWAYS say on the floor with the little ones. I say on the couch some with the preschoolers since they were taller and could walk or climb on the couch with me to read. Granted I was being paid to do it so I would have felt like I wasn't doing my job if I sat on the couch and didn't interact as much, but I think I'll do the same with LO. I just played on my phone if they were playing and ignoring me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-ever-just-wonder#post-2264721 Sun, 16 Aug 2015 21:16:03 +0000 charlotte 2264721@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: that's so good! I don't know when I crossed the line into pushover parent but it really does not work out well during the toddler / terrible twos stage. I just HATE hearing him cry and scream. I know I need to set more boundaries and enforce them....I give in way way way too much to what he wants and thus he acts out the most with me! It's going to be like boot camp here for kid 2. Haha. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-ever-just-wonder#post-2264720 Sun, 16 Aug 2015 21:15:47 +0000 Mae 2264720@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Applesandbananas: I feel like I get a decent amount of stuff done during the week. Since I SAH I generally keep the house picked up, do all the laundry, vacuum/mop the floors, and do all the shopping/cooking. Chores I find time to do. What I struggle with is that all that doesn't really take THAT long since I have all week to do it. So we have a good bit of just chill time in the house and I want to be attentive/teach her stuff but also I don't want the world to revolve around her. But when you SAH and you just don't really have that much stuff to do its sort of hard to not be all about the kid! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-ever-just-wonder#post-2264718 Sun, 16 Aug 2015 21:11:56 +0000 Applesandbananas 2264718@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes!!! I spend all weekend running around with LO and when I talk to coworkers with kids, they seem to get much more rest on the weekends, and much more accomplished! I feel good if I've managed to get the grocery shopping done, laundry, lawn mowed, and the house somewhat picked up, while LO is underfoot! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-ever-just-wonder#post-2264717 Sun, 16 Aug 2015 21:11:16 +0000 Mae 2264717@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@charlotte: lol thanks for the advice :) I am trying hard to make her self sufficient. Our battle on that right now is she keeps throwing things over the baby gates and wanting me to get them for her. To which I say nope nope nope stop throwing shit over the baby gate child haha. But the phone thing is hard. She does freak and try to steal my phone when she sees it but I just (mostly) don't give it up. It's such a slippery slope because toddlers do not understand "sometimes." My husband is much more apt to give her his phone to keep her happy but then she is MUCH worse when she sees his phone because she expects it. She leaves me alone a tiny bit more because she rarely wins the battle haha. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-ever-just-wonder#post-2264714 Sun, 16 Aug 2015 21:02:08 +0000 charlotte 2264714@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: he's 2.5! honestly I think your tv is good and our "I will cater to your every tiny want and give you 120% of my attention all the time" situation is bad! When he was younger we played on our phones a bit but now if he sees the phone he wants it to watch videos of himself. </p> <p>Usually I am playing with him or fixing problems that he should be fixing himself (picking up trains flung on the floor etc) I'm trying to be a bit more hands off and find something to do nearby (organize clothes for new baby etc) or read a book / magazine. "Mommy do" and "daddy do" are wayyyyyy too common around here and we are really trying to help him be more of a problem solver through. Ack. </p> <p>And he didn't really get into shows (Daniel was first!) until 18m. We also first started when he was sick / having a terrible allergy problem that kept him up all night. And now his shows dominate all. Don't be like me! Save your Netflix before it's too late, haha! </p>