https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 16 May 2026 15:05:24 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-parenting-changed-how-you-interact-with-other-adults#post-2576744 Tue, 28 Jun 2016 10:10:06 +0000 avivoca 2576744@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In general, my tolerance for BS has gone way down. I also feel more sympathy and less judgement for other parents and strangers. I totally give my child-free friends and coworker's the side-eye if they cannot get their ish together or are constantly late. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-parenting-changed-how-you-interact-with-other-adults#post-2576605 Tue, 28 Jun 2016 08:38:24 +0000 catlady 2576605@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm less judgemental about people with kids, and probably more judgemental about people without kids. That's for people I actually know, though. I think I'm a little more empathetic in general with strangers. Like, if I get a surly cashier at the store, I don't automatically get annoyed. I've realized more clearly now that you can't know what's going on in people's lives. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-parenting-changed-how-you-interact-with-other-adults#post-2576560 Tue, 28 Jun 2016 08:03:23 +0000 looch 2576560@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: Haha, me too! I used to give moms the total side eye with the bed head hair, until my son refused to get haircuts and he turned into that kid!</p> <p>I have come to realize that we're all just doing the best we can, parents and non parents. It's a tough world and none of us have the instructions, you know? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-parenting-changed-how-you-interact-with-other-adults#post-2576475 Tue, 28 Jun 2016 02:01:24 +0000 Cherrybee 2576475@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@wrkbrk: I'm less judgemental now because I realise that things aren't always what they seem, and things are definitely harder! For example, if I saw a kid with messy hair, I would give the parents the side eye..... but now I know that just going in the car seat messes the back of E's hair and she would scream blue murder if I tried to brush it when we got out of the car. If I saw a kid quaffing cheesy wotsits (cheese poofs), I would have judged the parents (too lazy or stupid to pack healthy snacks), but now I know that this is just a snapshot and you've just gotta do what works. A few years back, if I had seen a mum looking harassed with a baby and a toddler, I would have thought that she shouldn't have had the second until she could control the first, but now I know that its not that simple and you will never *control* a child. </p> <p>I'm less tolerant of people messing me about...... I just don't have the energy for it. I'm dont judge people any more, but I dont have space in my day for things things that are more difficult than they need to be! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-parenting-changed-how-you-interact-with-other-adults#post-2576474 Tue, 28 Jun 2016 01:19:28 +0000 Boogs 2576474@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Lateness. If I get myself and my kids ready by myself and get somewhere before you...well...smh. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-parenting-changed-how-you-interact-with-other-adults#post-2576361 Mon, 27 Jun 2016 18:25:46 +0000 wrkbrk 2576361@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: Interesting! Less tolerant *and* less judgmental? I'd like to hear a little more about this. I'm suspecting it's true for me too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-parenting-changed-how-you-interact-with-other-adults#post-2576357 Mon, 27 Jun 2016 18:22:57 +0000 wrkbrk 2576357@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pachamama: agreed. What little free time I have now goes to my son rather than so so social events or aquaintences. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-parenting-changed-how-you-interact-with-other-adults#post-2576353 Mon, 27 Jun 2016 18:18:43 +0000 wrkbrk 2576353@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@youboots: Yes this! I feel much more bonded to humanity or something. Haha. There is (almost) always some common ground to talk about when meeting new people! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-parenting-changed-how-you-interact-with-other-adults#post-2576331 Mon, 27 Jun 2016 17:03:34 +0000 magnoliamama42 2576331@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@maddyz: I remember feeling that way when I went to a retirement party for my FIL where my husband and I were the only childless people there. It was so hard to know what to talk about! We felt like we didn't really belong. </p> <p>You don't realize *just* how much you've changed until you're in that scenario, I guess. Because sometimes (and I only have a 1 year old!), I feel that way now with my childless friends! Lol. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-parenting-changed-how-you-interact-with-other-adults#post-2576283 Mon, 27 Jun 2016 15:51:28 +0000 Cherrybee 2576283@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm a lot less tolerant, but I think its because I'm exhausted and crabby!! I'm also way less judgemental. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-parenting-changed-how-you-interact-with-other-adults#post-2576268 Mon, 27 Jun 2016 15:31:38 +0000 daniellemybelle 2576268@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I pretty much give all parents (SAH, WOH, one kid, five kids, babies, school aged, rich, poor, etc. etc.) a complete pass in any and all situations. </p> <p>And I accept no excuses from non-parents. Sorry not sorry. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-parenting-changed-how-you-interact-with-other-adults#post-2576264 Mon, 27 Jun 2016 15:27:44 +0000 snowjewelz 2576264@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Def the being late thing! We're usually still early or on time after having DD, so when people who don't have kids are late, we're like, really?! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-parenting-changed-how-you-interact-with-other-adults#post-2576255 Mon, 27 Jun 2016 15:20:21 +0000 pachamama 2576255@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just really can't deal with annoying people or people I don't very much want to be around! Since having my son, I want to get rid of anything stressful and/or unnecessary. My time is too precious to be wasted on people I don't truly enjoy being around. I had to cut the crap out so to speak!<br /> I also have way more respect for working moms and stay-at-home moms alike! Both are very difficult situations. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-parenting-changed-how-you-interact-with-other-adults#post-2576210 Mon, 27 Jun 2016 14:45:42 +0000 Foodnerd81 2576210@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@maddyz: oh I'm the same way. I feel like I can small talk with parents better than I used to be at small talk. But get me in a group of people my age who don't have kids and I'm like an idiot. I can't remember what normal people talk about. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-parenting-changed-how-you-interact-with-other-adults#post-2576200 Mon, 27 Jun 2016 14:39:09 +0000 maddyz 2576200@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went to a friend's birthday party a few weeks ago, almost everyone there is childless and many aren't married/coupled and I am pregnant with #2. It was weird, I felt like I didn't know how to talk to my peers anymore, I am so out of the loop! I had really mixed feeling about the evening.... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-parenting-changed-how-you-interact-with-other-adults#post-2576184 Mon, 27 Jun 2016 14:26:12 +0000 youboots 2576184@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I like being part of the fraternity of parenthood. I like chatting with people about their kids at the park or wherever.</p> <p>I guess it gives me more of a sense of community? IDK. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-parenting-changed-how-you-interact-with-other-adults#post-2576162 Mon, 27 Jun 2016 13:59:46 +0000 Foodnerd81 2576162@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BabyBoecksMom: I just can't wait for my BIL to have kids. Dh and I laugh about it. And by then ours will be older and easier and I'll just sit back and think my I told you so's to myself. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-parenting-changed-how-you-interact-with-other-adults#post-2576159 Mon, 27 Jun 2016 13:57:46 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 2576159@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: Oh yes! I can't stand that! I always bring snacks if we have to go to my in-laws' house for dinner because it's never ready on time. They usually don't have it on the table until around 8 (bedtime!) and then can't seem to understand why I'm so pissed off and try to rush through my meal to leave. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-parenting-changed-how-you-interact-with-other-adults#post-2576156 Mon, 27 Jun 2016 13:55:21 +0000 magnoliamama42 2576156@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: I'm the same! We do everything we can to be on time for stuff - like, we start getting ready an hour before we have to leave. But my sister has no one to take care of but herself, and is constantly late. She's wonderful, but it drives me nuts! </p> <p>Other than that, I feel like it's made me a less judgmental person in general. I mean, I didn't feel like I was super judgmental before but now ... I don't know. Kids are really hard. You do what you have to do to survive. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-parenting-changed-how-you-interact-with-other-adults#post-2576147 Mon, 27 Jun 2016 13:49:33 +0000 Foodnerd81 2576147@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm so much less tolerant of lateness for anyone who doesn't have kids. Meanwhile I am constantly late for anything I do with the kids. My BIL is the worst, can never commit to a time, always late, and I'm like, I've got a toddler! You say dinner is at six and dinner will be eaten at six! (We have stopped going to their place for dinner after me having to leave, hungry and pregnant, with a tired toddler,while they were just starting to cook). </p> <p>Otherwise nothing I can think of. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-parenting-changed-how-you-interact-with-other-adults#post-2576140 Mon, 27 Jun 2016 13:46:28 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 2576140@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't think I had changed much, except that I dreaded having to go out in public by myself with both kids around nap time. But, as I was talking to a co-worker the other day, I realized that I am much less tolerant of indecisive people, especially when it's deadlines or requirements for a project I'm working on. Thanks to my three-nager, I have to be very direct and not waiver on my decisions and I seem to expect that everyone will be that way HAHA</p> <p>What ways has parenting changed you? </p>