Hellobee Boards Topic: How did you picture yourself as a mother/father?

Hellobee Boards Topic: How did you picture yourself as a mother/father? https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 17 Apr 2026 12:36:22 +0000 ZombieBullfrogHoller on "How did you picture yourself as a mother/father?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-picture-yourself-as-a-motherfather#post-1133086 Sat, 05 Oct 2013 06:41:33 +0000 ZombieBullfrogHoller 1133086@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I always imagined I'd be older - like early 30's - but I'm 24. I also thought DH and I would have careers and whatnot before hand. As of now we're still both working the same jobs we were while in college that aren't at all degree-specific. I never imagined I'd be relying on government assistance like we are. I also always imagined having a girl, but LO turned out to be a boy. I never thought I'd be overly protective, but I really, really am. But, best laid plans and all. Even though things aren't exactly the way I imagined or would prefer them to be, they are what they are and I'm just happy to have what we have :) Bookish on "How did you picture yourself as a mother/father?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-picture-yourself-as-a-motherfather#post-1133070 Sat, 05 Oct 2013 06:20:53 +0000 Bookish 1133070@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I didn't really think I'd have kids, so I never had any ideas about what kind of mom I'd be. I though I would stink at it. I definitely didn't expect to have my first at 26, to absolutely adore being a mom, and to want a second! Life works in funny ways :) Mrs. Jump Rope on "How did you picture yourself as a mother/father?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-picture-yourself-as-a-motherfather#post-1133059 Sat, 05 Oct 2013 06:13:36 +0000 Mrs. Jump Rope 1133059@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I thought we'd have three kids before 30. I had my first at 27 & #2 will come after my 30th (I'm not pregnant) Ree723 on "How did you picture yourself as a mother/father?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-picture-yourself-as-a-motherfather#post-1133034 Sat, 05 Oct 2013 05:00:06 +0000 Ree723 1133034@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I always assumed I'd have kids in my 30s, somewhat close together, and SAH with them. I'm 34, pregnant with my second, there will be a 19 month gap between them, and I am a SAHM so that much was correct! I thought I'd be super uptight and anxious about everything, which I was worried about; however, I've been much more relaxed than I thought I would be, which has been a nice surprise. I thought I'd be quite a social mum who was involved with loads of mummy-baby groups and activities, but honestly, LO and I are both happier hanging out at home, with the exception of a couple of small play dates each week. illumina on "How did you picture yourself as a mother/father?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-picture-yourself-as-a-motherfather#post-1133033 Sat, 05 Oct 2013 04:52:05 +0000 illumina 1133033@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @shopaholic: @Lindsay05: me too. I thought I'd be stricter and stick to *my* routines a bit more. As it happens, my old life is a distant memory and I'm just going with the flow (aka surviving!). Cherrybee on "How did you picture yourself as a mother/father?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-picture-yourself-as-a-motherfather#post-1133030 Sat, 05 Oct 2013 04:22:36 +0000 Cherrybee 1133030@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Its panning out pretty much as I expected so far - in my thirties when I had my first, first child a girl. I always saw myself with two girls and then a boy. I thought Id be a bit more perfect though - always patient, house immaculate, garden beautiful and always something baking - and I didn't envisage Id have to go back to work until my youngest was in school. lamariniere on "How did you picture yourself as a mother/father?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-picture-yourself-as-a-motherfather#post-1133012 Sat, 05 Oct 2013 01:21:27 +0000 lamariniere 1133012@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @Mrs. Jacks: haha, I thought I would be less uptight since I'm generally pretty mellow. But as LO gets older, I'm loosening up. I also thought I would have 2 kids by 30. Had my first one month after 30. 2nd will be just a few weeks after 33. indi on "How did you picture yourself as a mother/father?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-picture-yourself-as-a-motherfather#post-1132978 Fri, 04 Oct 2013 23:47:12 +0000 indi 1132978@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I thought I'd have 2 of our 3 kids by this age, but we're pregnant with our first right now. I'd thought I'd stay at home, but with my career, that's not really possible, so it'll be interesting to see how that changes the way I envisioned parenting. shopaholic on "How did you picture yourself as a mother/father?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-picture-yourself-as-a-motherfather#post-1132900 Fri, 04 Oct 2013 21:24:03 +0000 shopaholic 1132900@https://boards.hellobee.com/ When I was really young, I thought I'd have 2 by the age of 30. 33 this year with my first! I thought I'd be really strict, and I'm pretty sure I've become a softie already. artsyfartsy on "How did you picture yourself as a mother/father?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-picture-yourself-as-a-motherfather#post-1132795 Fri, 04 Oct 2013 19:45:52 +0000 artsyfartsy 1132795@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I pictured myself about this age when I started having kids, but I always envisioned 3 girls. Now I'm pregnant with a boy. LOL Lindsay05 on "How did you picture yourself as a mother/father?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-picture-yourself-as-a-motherfather#post-1132791 Fri, 04 Oct 2013 19:44:15 +0000 Lindsay05 1132791@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I had no picture of how old I would be or how many kids. I always pictured myself as the throw the kid in a backpack and carry on with my everyday life kind of thing but its been more like ok Today I have to try and get through this full day of parenting. junebugmama on "How did you picture yourself as a mother/father?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-picture-yourself-as-a-motherfather#post-1132770 Fri, 04 Oct 2013 19:32:09 +0000 junebugmama 1132770@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I thought I wouldn't raise my voice at all. However, having to dare devils, pretty much makes not yelling "No! No! No!" 3 or 4 times a day impossible ALV91711 on "How did you picture yourself as a mother/father?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-picture-yourself-as-a-motherfather#post-1132764 Fri, 04 Oct 2013 19:29:04 +0000 ALV91711 1132764@https://boards.hellobee.com/ When I was younger I wanted a huge family, like 6 kids. That adjusted as I became an adult and realistic. I figured I would start sooner, I'm 31. Now I maybe want two. I always bought I'd be eager to get back to work. Now not so much. I think I would enjoy being a SAHM, but that is not in the cards for now. Mrs. Jacks on "How did you picture yourself as a mother/father?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-picture-yourself-as-a-motherfather#post-1132749 Fri, 04 Oct 2013 19:15:58 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 1132749@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I thought I'd be more angsty and uptight than I am. deerylou on "How did you picture yourself as a mother/father?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-picture-yourself-as-a-motherfather#post-1132719 Fri, 04 Oct 2013 18:50:12 +0000 deerylou 1132719@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I thought I would be a little younger (I'm 27, and always figured I would be between 23-25. Turns out I definitely needed some 'me' time before I settled into family life). I also imagined I would be skipping back to work, immediately. Instead, I'm extending my leave of absence, and just seeing how things pan out. I love my career, but adore being around DD all day, every day. Also never thought I would be bed sharing. Might be a small facet, but I feel like it sets the tone for a lot of my parenting choices, so it's been surprising, but in a refreshing way. illumina on "How did you picture yourself as a mother/father?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-picture-yourself-as-a-motherfather#post-1132710 Fri, 04 Oct 2013 18:45:07 +0000 illumina 1132710@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Not too different to how it has worked out. Maybe I'm a little younger than I thought, but I had a girl like I imagined (I think I'll have another girl and then be done) and I'll SAHM. I never thought about what it would be like day to day though, so it feels as though it's been harder. MapleMoose on "How did you picture yourself as a mother/father?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-picture-yourself-as-a-motherfather#post-1132538 Fri, 04 Oct 2013 16:02:44 +0000 MapleMoose 1132538@https://boards.hellobee.com/ To be completely honest, in my imagined future family my children were Caucasian like me. I ended up marrying an amazing man who happens to be a different race and it took a few months of being pregnant for my mind to change that visual of my future children. sarac on "How did you picture yourself as a mother/father?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-picture-yourself-as-a-motherfather#post-1132505 Fri, 04 Oct 2013 15:46:55 +0000 sarac 1132505@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Hmm, I would say that I ever pictured anything so specific. Mostly I just pictured us having a cool, interesting life. And a lot of fun. Pretty much came true, so far. Mrs. Blue on "How did you picture yourself as a mother/father?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-picture-yourself-as-a-motherfather#post-1132488 Fri, 04 Oct 2013 15:37:00 +0000 Mrs. Blue 1132488@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I'm definitely older than I thought I would be! I also always thought I might have twins, but never thought I would have them first. :) I always thought I would stay home, but that's not feasible, so I pictured myself doing more with them on a day-to-day basis than I actually get to, but I like to think I make for it by being very invested in the time I do have with them. autumnlove on "How did you picture yourself as a mother/father?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-picture-yourself-as-a-motherfather#post-1132485 Fri, 04 Oct 2013 15:33:34 +0000 autumnlove 1132485@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I always assumed I would have 2 boys by age 24-25.... I have 2 girls and my first LO was born when I was 32!