https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 15 May 2026 17:11:48 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/getting-breaks#post-2639429 Wed, 19 Oct 2016 21:41:37 +0000 Foodnerd81 2639429@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Sunshine: I should also add wejust moved a month ago. So I'm trying to use nap time to do things like paint trim or hang curtains or whatever in addition to regular cleaning maintenance. And my toddler is in preschool and the baby naps almost the whole time so I have those two mornings of about two hours of uninturrupted time, and I always sit and have another cup of coffee before getting into whatever task. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/getting-breaks#post-2639348 Wed, 19 Oct 2016 20:06:49 +0000 Mrs. Sunshine 2639348@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: BUT going outside totally helps! I didn't do it much when DD1 was little but we do a ton now and it helps with my mental space a ton! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/getting-breaks#post-2639347 Wed, 19 Oct 2016 20:06:02 +0000 Mrs. Sunshine 2639347@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: I get it. It's really hard. I don't make a habit of using the entire nap time for myself. Usually just about 30 to 45 minutes. And I've created other routines during other parts of the day that help me to stay on top of things, even if I miss a day or two. But I didn't figure out how to do those things until DD2 turned almost 1.5 so....it just takes a long time to find a groove. And now that DD1 is about to start preschool and I want to make an effort to set aside some of that time especially for DD2 and I, I'm sure I'll have to find an entirely new groove. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/getting-breaks#post-2639326 Wed, 19 Oct 2016 18:50:38 +0000 Foodnerd81 2639326@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Sunshine: @caterw: @youboots: so here's my thing- if I spend all of naptime relaxing or showering or whatever I want to do, the house isn't untidy from time to time. It's "we areeating off of paper plates because all the dishes are in the sink or amdishwasher that I forgot to run last night and look the baby is eating 2 day old green beans off the floor under her high chair but at least it's a vegetable right?" I do take a little time when they nap but at some point it just makes it worse. </p> <p>We do always go outside though. Just walking in the neighborhood helps a ton (plus it doesn't make a mess inside!!!!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/getting-breaks#post-2639295 Wed, 19 Oct 2016 17:00:37 +0000 youboots 2639295@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We do something outside the house every day. Even if it's just going on a walk. Breaks up the monotony. Sometimes I just don't get a break-DH is gone overnight a lot. So I've decided not to have a second honestly until I'm ready to pack around 2 kids alone on the regular. It's hard, I feel you. I also don't worry about the house much. It does not bother me to have an untidy home time to time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/getting-breaks#post-2639287 Wed, 19 Oct 2016 16:50:27 +0000 caterw 2639287@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ugh same. I like to have time with friends but practically everyone I know is having a baby/ has a newborn (including me). When I am stuck home with DD all day with no option of a break, I try to make sure we are getting out and doing fun stuff instead of hanging at home. Being out of the house helps me feel a little bit more refreshed. I also like to do what @Mrs. Sunshine: suggested and use nap time as my personal time. I skip chores and making dinner in favor of a bubble bath. It's not going to hurt my kid to eat cereal for dinner in dirty pjs, especially if she gets a happy mommy in exchange. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/getting-breaks#post-2639273 Wed, 19 Oct 2016 16:04:31 +0000 Mrs. Sunshine 2639273@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Do your kids nap at the same time together frequently? If so, my philosophy is people first, including yourself. What do you WANT to do? Do you have a book you've had your eye on? A tv show, exerscise, a puzzle, whatever. Even some kind of cleaning can be good if that's what sets your soul on fire (it does for my mom). Anyway do that FIRST, before anything else. Set aside 30 minutes to an hour, or hell, the whole nap time and do that thing. Things really turned around for me when I started doing that, even just a couple days a week. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/getting-breaks#post-2639232 Wed, 19 Oct 2016 14:52:41 +0000 Foodnerd81 2639232@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I really need to work on this. I can feel it building up and I reach a point where I am just yelling and snapping and not enjoying my children at all, and not only is it miserable for me, it's not fair to my kids. But I don't know how to make sure I get that break before reaching that point. I'm hoping joining a gym with free child care will help. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/getting-breaks#post-2639230 Wed, 19 Oct 2016 14:48:31 +0000 AnnabelleG 2639230@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've started to notice that I have pretty obvious signs that I need a break from my kids. My only scheduled "breaks" are the 2 days I work out of the home. My job is involves taking care of other people, so I'm told that's not really a break. Today, for instance, I'm pretty tense and irritable (read: need a break!) but I'm alone with my kids until bedtime tonight. Both kids are napping right now, and sometimes I struggle to use my time wisely so I feel refreshed when they wake up.</p> <p>What are some ways you get breaks or take care of yourself? What about when you're unable to actually get away? </p>