https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 25 May 2026 17:51:39 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-survive-solo-parenting-1#post-2314459 Fri, 09 Oct 2015 01:52:08 +0000 shopaholic 2314459@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I spend most of the weekdays and some weekend days taking care of LO (and now LO2) taking care of them from when they wake up to putting them to sleep. DH gets home maybe 1-2 hr before LO1 goes to sleep. I still do everything from bathing up till the story time. It does get exhausting. Some days I just get grumpy at DH and delegate things to him. As for the long days alone, we actually are out and about almost every day. Even if we're not having a playdate or an activity, we will go to the supermarket, Target, playground, post office, whatever - just to break up the day a bit and get some kind of social interaction with the outside world. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-survive-solo-parenting-1#post-2314455 Fri, 09 Oct 2015 01:20:44 +0000 MrsRcCar 2314455@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I solo parent a huge portion of the week. Here is what our weeks look like: </p> <p>DH:<br /> Monday-Thursday: 6am-11:45pm (work/ school)<br /> Friday: 6am-3:30 (work)<br /> Saturday and Sunday: family time </p> <p>Myself and my boys:<br /> Monday: catch up from the weekend (most weekends we travel)<br /> Tuesday: Feeding Therapy for E.<br /> Wednesday: OT for E, Speech for N, then off for an afternoon play date.<br /> Thursday: the local children's museum<br /> Friday: cleaning house and meal planning before DH gets off work. After DH is off we hit the grocery store.<br /> Saturday and Sunday: whatever weekend plans we have. </p> <p>I would be lying if I said I liked our schedule and most nights I don't see DH at all because I fall asleep on couch and he is gone before I wake up. 😢 I found the best we can do is just stay very busy. </p> <p>Big hugs momma 💖 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-survive-solo-parenting-1#post-2314448 Fri, 09 Oct 2015 00:20:38 +0000 MsMini 2314448@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Baileys in my coffee &amp; Wine with dinner<br /> Just kidding ... Kind of ... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-survive-solo-parenting-1#post-2314435 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 23:28:04 +0000 808love 2314435@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm going to get a taste of it. DH is going on a two week work trip. I could do it with just her while traveling for a week at a time but to be home alone with her for so long is a little nerve wracking. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-survive-solo-parenting-1#post-2314420 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 23:00:17 +0000 Nutella 2314420@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Me3: yes I too think it's crazy. DH also has an epic commute to work (3/4 hour roughly in off-peak) so that doesn't help. He'll be like, 'I'm leaving now' but I will still need to feed, bathe LO and cook dinner in that time! Modem life! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-survive-solo-parenting-1#post-2314415 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 22:54:08 +0000 Me3 2314415@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Does anyone else think it is crazy how much adults are working these days? My DH also works 5:30 am to 6:30 pm, plus some weekends and traveling once a month. Reading everyone's' posts it sounds like many others are working crazy long hours too! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-survive-solo-parenting-1#post-2314330 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 21:05:39 +0000 Littlebit7 2314330@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oooof I feel you it's hard. My LO is 6 months. Basically since my husband has been back to work (2 weeks old) I've been solo parenting m-f. I think he has been home for bathtime maybe 5x? And he travels almost every other week for a few nights. Ugh. Recently he's been working from home on weekends which means momma doesn't get a break then either<br /> It's hard. I won't lie. I'm questioning why we are running this rat race more and more. It means financial security. But at what cost?<br /> Anyway I digress. Grass is always greener<br /> I make sure to get out for a walk once a day and to run an errand or schedule at the other end of the day. I try not to focus on "ugh it's only Tuesday" but instead "ok what can I schedule for Thursday and Friday". Having plans even as mundane as target or walking in the park help a lot. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-survive-solo-parenting-1#post-2314261 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 20:14:41 +0000 MtnBiker 2314261@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Friends and focusing on each day rather than counting down. DH is on his first long trip, about 3 weeks. I also communicate a lot with coworkers so they know my schedule limitations. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-survive-solo-parenting-1#post-2314253 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 20:06:41 +0000 Nutella 2314253@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Silva: I love how you have your own 'witching hour'! I totally do too! I'm looking forward to when LO is old enough to help me with the baking. Right now he just eats it! :happy: </p> <p>I find baking yummy things a double-edged sword...I definitely eat more than my share which isn't ideal! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-survive-solo-parenting-1#post-2314225 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 19:46:21 +0000 Tidybee 2314225@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I SAHM and DH travels for work here and there. He's been gone overnight at least once a week for the past 5 weeks, and next week he'll be gone tuesday-friday. The days don't feel any different but the mornings and evenings are rough. In the morning, I just try to get up earlier before the kids so I can prepare for the rush out the door....or I don't schedule anything that morning so we can hang out and just go for a walk or something. In the evening, I just take care of one at a time. DD1 loves to help putting DD2 to bed, so that helps. And if DD1 goes to bed 30 minutes later, so be it. So to answer your question, I put a lot less pressure on myself and find that if I limit my expectations, it goes smoother for everyone. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-survive-solo-parenting-1#post-2314214 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 19:42:16 +0000 Tidybee 2314214@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Modern Daisy: ha! I also find that DD is on much better behavior when DH isn't home. Though she does whine for him and ask 1000 times when he's coming home. But she just listens better! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-survive-solo-parenting-1#post-2314209 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 19:37:11 +0000 Silva 2314209@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I take a short nap during her nap time, and I go for an afternoon walk. They both help keep my energy up (which is the hardest thing for me- I get fatigued pretty easily and then I just want to die.)<br /> I try to predict my own "witching hour" (while I'm tired and trying to get dinner ready), and have some kind of independent activity (playdoh, set up a picnic for her babies, get out the train set...whatever) or job she can help with. </p> <p>Have phone dates set up with friends so that I get some adult socializing in in the evening.</p> <p>Going outside always helps us. Oh, and if I'm just over it and it's only 2:00 pm, I try baking with her! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-survive-solo-parenting-1#post-2314009 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 17:32:09 +0000 bisous 2314009@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just want to say all of you ladies rock! I solo parented nifhts and weekends until my daughter was 15 mos. It is crazy hard and my best way to survive was get out a lot. We spent a lot of time when she was an infant doing our mall walking in extreme weather and going to local gardens when it was nice out. I appreciate that we spent so much time bonding when she was young but I also love that my husband is able to help out much more now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-survive-solo-parenting-1#post-2314007 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 17:31:55 +0000 Nutella 2314007@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't usually think if it as solo parenting because then I'd probably get really sad - haha! DH is gone from 5.30/6am until 7.30/8pm every night - sometimes longer if he makes the gym too. Luckily I can SAH with our one LO, but we have zero family here and no friends who are close enough to count on for help. So it gets realllly hard when LOis sick, as we can't leave the house much (&amp; I lose my mind)! I e tried really hard to meet other mums in the area but I've either only met families who are living here semi-temporarily so they have all left already, or the local mums have already got their friends and aren't interested in making new ones! :sad: </p> <p>I always wonder if I made life supremely hard for myself by having a baby in a city with no support network! We see our parents a few times a year but it's so not enough. This is why we are moving back to my home town before we have a second LO...plus I know it's not my friend's responsibility to hang out with us, but was definitely hurt by the lack of love after LO was born. Friendships changing has been another surprising change that I didn't see coming. Sorry for the rambling! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-survive-solo-parenting-1#post-2313831 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 14:45:53 +0000 birdofafeather 2313831@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH works 24 (or 48 or 72) hour shifts and will for the rest of his career, so we're trying to figure it all out too! most of the time, it's fine, but there are some days that drag. i try to plan to meet up with other moms for a walk or park day to talk to someone else besides my kid. dinners are the hardest because i've been terrible about meal planning. once baby 2 gets here, i know i need to dial that in! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-survive-solo-parenting-1#post-2313813 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 14:33:54 +0000 daniellemybelle 2313813@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm a SAHM/WAHM and DH usually leaves for work before LO gets up. On average, two nights per week he will be home for dinner and I will have some help for the 1-2 hours of dinner, bath, and her bedtime routine. But at least half the time during the work week, she sees DH for maybe 30 minutes before going to bed.</p> <p>Luckily we are together on the weekend but to be honest, it is still hard because I am more hands on during the weekend too, and I have been doing it nonstop all week already. It's hard to not get a break - and I don't know how you do it with 2! At least she is a good napper so I get that time every day though I usually have to work or do housework. (Or I sit on HB, ha.)</p> <p>To answer your question, how I survive is lots of Diet Coke, counting my blessings as well as counting the days until family visits and we can get a date night! :) </p> <p>I did recently start going to a gym and even though I feel guilty about the expense and sending LO to the childcare, I think it is good for me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-survive-solo-parenting-1#post-2313755 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 14:09:33 +0000 Ginabean3 2313755@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I SAHM and DH works a lot...like he's out of the house at 5 and often doesn't get back till 6:30/7. I have a 2.5 yr old and a 10 week old. We do lots of classes and play dates in the mornings together and then in the afternoon I get some "me time" when the girls nap. Or at least when the older one naps (she's still a champion napper!) I get out every single morning no matter what, even if it's just to Target or the grocery store. My hardest time is the time right before dinner time. That seems to drag forever! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-survive-solo-parenting-1#post-2313726 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 13:29:38 +0000 rosegold 2313726@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsSRS: target is my daughters fav store, even just to peruse! haha 😋 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-survive-solo-parenting-1#post-2313704 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 13:09:35 +0000 MrsSRS 2313704@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH is gone from 6am- 7pm 5-6 days a week so I do a lot of solo parenting. It was harder pregnant than it is now! We get out of the house every.single.day. library, park, family visits, playdates, zoo, Target, grocery store, indoor play area at the mall, ANYTHING. And at home we have routines thathelp.a </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-survive-solo-parenting-1#post-2313623 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 12:02:15 +0000 Mrs.KMM 2313623@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH travels for work 4 days a week every week. So I do a lot of solo parenting. Honestly, I personally don't find it that bad. We get into our routines and things are done the way I want them done. I try to get out of the house most days even if it is just to run a quick errand or simply window shop. I'm sure we'll do more library story times, museums, etc as DD gets older. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-survive-solo-parenting-1#post-2313611 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 11:49:39 +0000 ineebee 2313611@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I can relate! I'm a SAHM and DH is gone from 6:30a-8:30p and usually doesn't see DS much at all during the week. He hates it. :( To make the day go faster, I usually take him to the gym with me after his first nap (found a good, cheap gym with childcare!), then after his second nap I run an errand/visit a friend/library with him. After his third nap if he takes it, I take a walk around the neighborhood. That last stretch is the hardest for me! And our schedule has been ALL OFF since he got sick on Saturday, so hopefully we'll get back to it soon! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-survive-solo-parenting-1#post-2313607 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 11:47:19 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 2313607@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My DH is at work quite a bit too and then studies a lot of evenings and weekends. I stay at home too. </p> <p>Typical every morning we get out of the house. Then home for lunch and nap. Then we go for a walk or grocery shop before DH gets home. </p> <p>This week before nap:<br /> Monday: went for a walk and had to go run some errands<br /> Tuesday: went to the apple orchard<br /> Wednesday: went for a walk with friends then to her house to play<br /> Thursday: friends came over to do a craft and play<br /> Friday: we will go swimming </p> <p>I need to get out to help the morning go faster! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-survive-solo-parenting-1#post-2313599 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 11:35:11 +0000 Mrs. Tiger 2313599@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>+1 to get out of the house as much as possible, even if just you guys going to find new playgrounds or grocery stores or whatever! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-survive-solo-parenting-1#post-2313506 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 10:14:10 +0000 Smurfette 2313506@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It isn't horrible during the week since I am at work and she is at day care. But some nights the couple hours before bedtime feel like 10. We go to CFA some nights with another Mom/son from day care or just us. Even on nights when DH is home, he usually works late, so I am still on my own. Which is even harder cause she knows he is home, just in his office. Next week he will be gone all week, then gone over the weekend for a guys trip, and then gone again the next week. It sucks, but a weekend away is rare for him. So I set up to go visit my parents and take her to a pumpkin farm on Sat. Then have a Halloween party on Sunday. Getting out of the house helps me a lot. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-survive-solo-parenting-1#post-2313493 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 10:00:06 +0000 Modern Daisy 2313493@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's not too bad during the week thanks to work &amp; daycare but I find that DS is much better behaved when I am solo parenting vs when DH is home! That makes dinner/bath/bed way easier and more fun. On the weekends I schedule somewhere for us to go where DH can run around, so the mall doesn't count. It has to be a friends house, grandparents or if the weather is nice a playground or outdoor attraction. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-survive-solo-parenting-1#post-2313445 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 09:22:27 +0000 rattles 2313445@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH is gone 7 AM to 10 PM three days a week, and 7 AM to 7 PM the other two. I joined my local MOMS club, and it's been amazing. We have play dates or field trip a couple of times a week. Today, we are going to a farm that has a petting zoo, pony rides and a pumpkin patch! It's good socialization for them but it's also much needed for me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-survive-solo-parenting-1#post-2313442 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 09:20:07 +0000 blackbird 2313442@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@snowjewelz: DH did daycare drop off monday and said he was VERY out of practice :) It's a learned process, heh. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-survive-solo-parenting-1#post-2313441 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 09:19:43 +0000 rachiecakes 2313441@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My husband and I work opposite schedules. I work the traditional 8am-4:30pm M-F job, and he works nights and weekends (every night/weekend during the school year.). Our time together is rare and I solo parent most of the time.<br /> I try to set up fun things to do - we do movie night, pizza night (I can't cook every night alone), we bake together. I make a lot of weekend plans with family &amp; friends so that I can actually see the world and other people (not just my coworkers during the day).<br /> Sunday nights are tough, but it's pretty much my only opportunity to go out by myself, so I'll see if a friend can catch up for a bite or a movie on Sundays.<br /> It's tough! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-survive-solo-parenting-1#post-2313439 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 09:17:56 +0000 snowjewelz 2313439@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just want to say you moms are doing amazing!</p> <p>I had DD (10 mo) solo this morning and had to do drop off and I already felt like a mad woman lol. I'm usually fine if I have to solo but this whole new doing to daycare thing totally threw me off! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-survive-solo-parenting-1#post-2313433 Thu, 08 Oct 2015 09:15:19 +0000 avivoca 2313433@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I WOH, but I'm solo parenting a good majority of May-Aug each year. It's hard. On the days I'm home all day with her, I make sure we get out of the house at least once. Now that we have a swing, I anticipate us spending more time outside next summer. But it's hard. </p>