https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 26 May 2026 05:14:57 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/single-parenting-wo-hubby-week-1#post-851000 Wed, 12 Jun 2013 10:52:06 +0000 blackbird 851000@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@erwoo, mine's only 9 weeks old, but she's pretty mellow, thankfully!</p> <p>Sounds like you have a great situation, all things considering, since that family is there for you to hang out with and the kids will have playdates, too! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/single-parenting-wo-hubby-week-1#post-850394 Wed, 12 Jun 2013 07:55:10 +0000 Honeybee 850394@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@erwoo: It's not on quite the same scale, but we've also had a lot of adjustments in our lives and it has been difficult at times. In the last six months, we relocated 10+ hours and a couple states away, moved into a rental house, the kids and I are home together all the time (they went to daycare two days a week before this), and then moved into a new house just a month ago. Things are finally settling down for us, but it's been a busy 6 months.</p> <p>One thing I think really helped my kids is their loveys. Do your kids have loveys? I really think it gives them somewhere else to look for comfort, and it gives them some normalcy/structure even when you're going through a period of change.</p> <p>I think another thing that has helped is to get out to some group classes. We've been going to a weekly library storytime, and DD just started a weekly gymnastics lesson. I think both classes give us an opportunity to get out of the house and focus on something else. My kids were totally shy and just clung to me at first, but after a while they got more comfortable and now they even participate, which gives me a nice little break!</p> <p>Anyway, you guys are going through a ton right now, and I can only imagine how hard this is for you right now. Hopefully the next 12 weeks fly by for you. I think you're a Supermom for even taking this on! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/single-parenting-wo-hubby-week-1#post-850110 Wed, 12 Jun 2013 00:52:50 +0000 Smurfette 850110@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@erwoo: I started back to work last week. I told DH there was no way I could be a stay at home Mom with him traveling. Those first couple weeks were rough. Too long with no one but a baby to talk to. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/single-parenting-wo-hubby-week-1#post-850049 Tue, 11 Jun 2013 22:54:41 +0000 erwoo 850049@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Honeybee: You are actually correct. We will be moving in with my aunt once our house is rented but that's short-term and my kids will most likely still stick with me most of the time, especially my youngest. He has been super clingy these past few days. I can't leave his sight for even one second. Otherwise, he'll cry until he finds me and then smiles and carries on with whatever he was doing. He won't let ANYONE hold him if I'm around which can be really hard. My oldest gets shy at first. When I took them to visit my parents earlier this year both of them stuck to me the entire two weeks we were there. Even when my parents were there to help, they wanted nothing to do with either of them. The only thing they were able to help out is cooking meals for us. Bed time was super rough doing it back-to-back. I think b/c it's a new place, time difference, and no dad around? I have a feeling it'll be similar when we get to my aunt's house. The only difference is that my oldest will have his cousin to play with a few days out of the week b/c my aunt helps watch him. And they get along really well which is nice. </p> <p>I like your idea of counting... wow, 100? LOL! I usually just take a deep breath and smile. It does get lonely hanging out with two kids all the time. I'm trying to head out when I feel like it's a bit too much at home. I took them to Ikea yesterday for fun b/c it was raining all day. One of my best friends here has been super supportive and she'll help with the kids when we go out for lunches. She always helps out when I have doctor appts. So thankful to have such great friends around. And, yes, I feel lucky to have HB to vent to or just to talk to other moms who have been here before who can offer some good advice. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/single-parenting-wo-hubby-week-1#post-850030 Tue, 11 Jun 2013 22:44:30 +0000 HLK208 850030@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wow, you're super mom!! Hang in there!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/single-parenting-wo-hubby-week-1#post-850027 Tue, 11 Jun 2013 22:42:33 +0000 erwoo 850027@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@blackbird: I think you'll do fine while your husband is away for training. How old is your LO? We're actually not military but our move is exactly how military families are moved so I'm sure you know the stresses that's involved, especially when you have things that you also have to put into storage. But they already put us in touch with a family that did the move from our area and the wife has been SO helpful and supportive. We're actually going to be living in the same building and our kids are the same age except she has two girls so she's been able to give me great info! I feel pretty lucky already. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/single-parenting-wo-hubby-week-1#post-850016 Tue, 11 Jun 2013 22:38:19 +0000 erwoo 850016@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@edelweiss: Aw, thanks! Superwoman must sweat a lot b/c I'm constantly sweating when the boys are awake. LOL! I know, TMI. :P </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/single-parenting-wo-hubby-week-1#post-850012 Tue, 11 Jun 2013 22:37:26 +0000 erwoo 850012@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: Thanks! You're very lucky to have family nearby. We'll definitely have more help after we move since my parents will visit more often b/c they are only a 4-hour plane ride away and my brother will be living a few minutes away from us. Sorry about your son's separation anxiety. I would just continue with Skype every day. We Skype every night since my husband left and my oldest definitely looks forward to it. My youngest just wants my phone but I do wonder if he misses my husband b/c he gets really angry when he hears his voice and can't get to the phone right away. I think what helps my oldest cope is that my husband tries to stick to their routine b/c he usually puts him down for the night. He even reads to him while my oldest holds the book up. LOL! I feel bad for my husband b/c he can hardly read the words. :P </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/single-parenting-wo-hubby-week-1#post-849993 Tue, 11 Jun 2013 22:31:30 +0000 erwoo 849993@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@rawrasaur: That's so nice to have family nearby. We will have that luxury (with two families - parents when they visit and brother) after we move. Can't wait! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/single-parenting-wo-hubby-week-1#post-849991 Tue, 11 Jun 2013 22:30:29 +0000 erwoo 849991@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Andrea: Thanks for the encouragement! You too!!! Sorry to hear about your 5-month-old's sleep. :( I know, sleep is so important. I definitely know when I am lacking sleep b/c my patience is much, much less and I get snappy. :\ Hope your LO teeth pops out soon so you can get more rest! Take naps if you can. That usually helps me if I don't get enough rest during the night. I also try to nap both of my boys at the same time in the afternoon so I can get at least a 1-2 hour break and peace. And that's when I try to take a power nap (10-15 mins) b/c there is always so much to do these days. And, yeah, delivery is always nice. I ordered a bunch of Thai food the other day so I don't have to cook and both of my boys love Thai food too, even my 14-month-old. He was done with his healthy, non-Thai food tonight and was begging constantly to eat mine! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/single-parenting-wo-hubby-week-1#post-849972 Tue, 11 Jun 2013 22:24:13 +0000 erwoo 849972@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@StbHisMrs: Wow, you're super mom! My situation is nothing compared to yours, especially since you also have step kids to look after as well as your own. Thanks for the encouragement and, yes, lots of tears and yelling from time-to-time for sure! Are you expecting that you were put on modified bed rest? Hang in there for the next three weeks. Is your oldest pretty helpful at least? My oldest is helpful but he's only 4 and definitely has his moments. He tries really hard to be good and listen but, again, he is only 4. :) I just need to be more patient and try to eat better so I feel better. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/single-parenting-wo-hubby-week-1#post-849958 Tue, 11 Jun 2013 22:18:50 +0000 erwoo 849958@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Smurfette: Wow, are you solo full-time during the week? It's also a lot of work with one, especially when they are so young and you have to be nearby all the time. I remember those days with my oldest and my husband had to travel for work. Do you have any help? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/single-parenting-wo-hubby-week-1#post-849951 Tue, 11 Jun 2013 22:16:51 +0000 erwoo 849951@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ALV91711: Thanks. :) I very thankful to have supportive friends and they have all offered to help out, even a couple of neighbors. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/single-parenting-wo-hubby-week-1#post-849948 Tue, 11 Jun 2013 22:15:40 +0000 erwoo 849948@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T-Mom: That's a great idea! I might look into it if I start to feel overwhelmed. So far, it's not so bad. Just have to breath through some of the antics with my oldest. ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/single-parenting-wo-hubby-week-1#post-844055 Mon, 10 Jun 2013 07:38:02 +0000 Honeybee 844055@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wow 14 weeks is incredible! Didn't you say you were going to go stay with your aunt for part of it? When my husband goes out of town we either go with him or go visit famliy. Last time my husband had to be out of town for a week I went to visit my parents. Even though both of them were working during the week, it was nice to have someone help out with bedtime. Otherwise I would have been at home by myself and very lonely. :(</p> <p>One tactic I've started using to not lose my cool is just to count to myself when it starts getting tough. I tell the kids that I'm feeling impatient and I need to count to 10, 20, 100 (lol) to calm down. DD helps me count most of the time, and at the end of it, I feel a little more in control. </p> <p>Good luck! 14 weeks is a good hunk of time, but truthfully, your kids will be fine, even if they occasionally get yelled at. :) And you always have us to come vent to when it gets hard! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/single-parenting-wo-hubby-week-1#post-844044 Mon, 10 Jun 2013 07:34:32 +0000 blackbird 844044@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh man, and I was worried about two weeks measly solo while DH does training (he's also military), lol. Hang in there! Can you reach out to other military wives? I know many are in that situation </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/single-parenting-wo-hubby-week-1#post-844007 Mon, 10 Jun 2013 07:06:28 +0000 edelweiss 844007@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>you are superwoman! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/single-parenting-wo-hubby-week-1#post-843949 Mon, 10 Jun 2013 06:12:37 +0000 Andrea 843949@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: I am worried about this, too. My 3 year old has bad daddy separation anxiety. We deal with it a lot since he works late. So she'll wake up in the middle of the night to make sure that he is home. I was thinking about Skype but was worried it will make her miss him more like in your experience. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/single-parenting-wo-hubby-week-1#post-843941 Mon, 10 Jun 2013 06:04:11 +0000 looch 843941@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Aww! 14 weeks is a long time, but start the countdown! You will get through it, stronger than before!</p> <p>I have either gone away myself with LO or stayed with my inlaws. I would stay with my parents in a second, but I realize this isn't an option for everyone.</p> <p>The most difficult thing for me to deal with was my son's separation anxiety from his father. That was worse than anything else, to be honest. I could deal with poor sleeping or behaviour, but after our daily skype sessions, it would seem that LO missed his father even more. I even got to the point of thinking about curbing the sessions, but realized it would hurt my husband's feelings. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/single-parenting-wo-hubby-week-1#post-843934 Mon, 10 Jun 2013 05:43:36 +0000 rawrasaur 843934@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I stay with my parents when husband is away. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/single-parenting-wo-hubby-week-1#post-843921 Mon, 10 Jun 2013 04:51:15 +0000 Andrea 843921@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@erwoo: 14 weeks?? Oh my gosh, best of luck to you and stay strong!! I am starting my first week alone with 2 kids today so I will update you on how much yelling I do. :-) I think I'll be crying more than yelling, lol. My biggest issue is my 5 month old's sleep at the moment. I think she is teething so she is NOT SLEEPING so I think I am going to barely survive! I feel like I can handle anything if I get to sleep, but I'm a hot mess when I don't. Try to take care yourself somehow and having dinner with other people more so that you do not have to cook/clean up sounds like a great idea! I'm planning to order pizza one night as a treat for my 3 year old and for myself! ;-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/single-parenting-wo-hubby-week-1#post-843848 Sun, 09 Jun 2013 23:50:40 +0000 StbHisMrs 843848@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You rock, and you'll get through it. Last year my husband worked in Alaska (we're in Oregon) for three months, M was about 6 months old, C was 10, I was still expected to take his 2 daughters (3 &amp; 7) every other weekend and work full time. It was brutal! </p> <p>He just left for 3 weeks this morning and I'm hoping for smooth sailing. I don't have the girls this time because they didn't want to come. Which is fine because last Thursday I was put in modified bedrest, yeah right!!! </p> <p>What I'm trying to tell you is that it isn't easy, there will be tears, there will be yelling but you'll get through and come out stronger :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/single-parenting-wo-hubby-week-1#post-843833 Sun, 09 Jun 2013 23:32:37 +0000 Smurfette 843833@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am solo Mon-Fri but it is with only one. I can't imagine too!! A 3 month old is enough for me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/single-parenting-wo-hubby-week-1#post-843829 Sun, 09 Jun 2013 23:27:54 +0000 ALV91711 843829@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Your amazing, that is a long time!</p> <p>I hope that people will have you over for dinner frequently so that you don't have to worry about cooking all the time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/single-parenting-wo-hubby-week-1#post-843826 Sun, 09 Jun 2013 23:26:20 +0000 T-Mom 843826@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@erwoo: is there any way you can hire a mothers helper to help you through the meal and bath times? Summer is a great time to hire a college student as a mothers helper.. I looked into this last summer when DH had to travel. For us we enlist the help of family when DH travels. If you don't have that available to you , I can see how that would be so hard! Also don't feel bad about yelling... None of us want to do it of course but if it happens don't beat yourself up about it. You are going to deserve a HUGE momcation after this! After you move, haha. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/single-parenting-wo-hubby-week-1#post-843824 Sun, 09 Jun 2013 23:15:38 +0000 erwoo 843824@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@birdofafeather: @Mrs. High Heels: Thanks! It really helps talking about it here since if I vented to my husband he would just worry. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/single-parenting-wo-hubby-week-1#post-843821 Sun, 09 Jun 2013 23:13:01 +0000 erwoo 843821@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Baby Boy Mom: I hardly get anything done during the day time, especially when my oldest is dropping naps here and there. He is 4 but still wants me nearby when he is playing or wants me to play with him. Most things can wait and I stopped letting a messy house bother me. I just don't have ppl over! LOL! Hang in there! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/single-parenting-wo-hubby-week-1#post-843820 Sun, 09 Jun 2013 23:08:46 +0000 erwoo 843820@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: LOL! I wish it was just three weeks! I told him he owes me huge after we get there! Then again we are staying behind bc of the dog I brought into our lives. She can't leave for a while. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/single-parenting-wo-hubby-week-1#post-843812 Sun, 09 Jun 2013 23:00:39 +0000 Mrs. High Heels 843812@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You're amazing! I don't think I could do it...! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/single-parenting-wo-hubby-week-1#post-843801 Sun, 09 Jun 2013 22:49:19 +0000 birdofafeather 843801@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wowza! Good luck mama! </p>