https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 24 Apr 2026 19:31:16 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/this-is-impossible-covid-meltdown-rant#post-2914664 Tue, 28 Apr 2020 15:16:43 +0000 macintosh 2914664@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks everyone! My dr agreed to increase my lexapro and I had a good session with my therapist. I do feel a lot better emotionally. My state is beginning to re-open some select businesses, but they still aren't re-opening daycares. I understand why but it's still frustrating. </p> <p>I'm counting down the days til Friday - I'm taking the day off for DS's birthday. The following week my brother will be here to help! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/this-is-impossible-covid-meltdown-rant#post-2914648 Mon, 27 Apr 2020 19:53:46 +0000 Umbreon 2914648@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Are you able to work at any time? We have a one year old and DH and I are currently doing shift work. It's hard, but we are making it work.</p> <p>We both start at 6 am and hope LO sleeps till 8. He usually sleeps until 7:30 though. </p> <p>But then DH takes him for 2 hours and then we switch. Every 2 hours. We both get to work during his nap. It takes like 12+ hours to get in our 7.5 hours but we are managing. Some days when he naps well we are both done around 5:30</p> <p>I am exhausted by the end of the night and hate starting work at 6 but it's working for now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/this-is-impossible-covid-meltdown-rant#post-2914594 Sun, 26 Apr 2020 08:46:20 +0000 JL 2914594@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Aw, hang in there!! I have an only child (son) too, and I think you can let go of the guilt about that. It might be nice to have a sibling to play/fight with, but your son also has had the benefit of so much attention and conversation and care from you. xx </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/this-is-impossible-covid-meltdown-rant#post-2914467 Thu, 23 Apr 2020 22:27:05 +0000 JCCovi 2914467@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@macintosh It’s hard for everyone but it sounds like you’ve got it especially rough. You can do it though! At least until your brother can come help!</p> <p>@petitenoisette: +1 to screen time rarely being worth it for my kids. It seems easier but in the short term it’s just not. We’ve also had success with audiobooks/stories on Alexa. I have a theory that watching tv is better for behavior then playing video games. At least if I really need a little time once a week I can get away without consequences if I let them watch a Netflix show or half a movie. If I let them play games... nope. Blows up in my face everytime. They get video games on the weekend with their Dad and I make him deal with the consequences then. He agrees it’s a problem but also just really likes playing with them... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/this-is-impossible-covid-meltdown-rant#post-2914457 Thu, 23 Apr 2020 20:25:46 +0000 jhd 2914457@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@macintosh: i'm sorry. this is such an impossible situation. i'm not sure if this would be an option for you, but mommyshorts posted on instagram today about using sittercity to hire someone to do homework with her 1st grader over video chat while she was on conference calls. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/this-is-impossible-covid-meltdown-rant#post-2914453 Thu, 23 Apr 2020 18:21:00 +0000 petitenoisette 2914453@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’m sorry, this is so hard. The screen time and video games is so hard bc it’s a way to keep them occupied, yes, but at least in my house it makes my kids act abominably. It’s not really worth it. </p> <p>An in between her that doesn’t seem to have that same effect is playing stories via Spotify. There are tons of Disney stories (and some are decently long) but my older daughter (5) will listen but also play independently. So maybe that’s an idea? </p> <p>And we’re almost to May!!! Sending virtual stamina your way to get through. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/this-is-impossible-covid-meltdown-rant#post-2914395 Thu, 23 Apr 2020 08:01:12 +0000 MrsSRS 2914395@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>May is so soon. You can make it until May!!<br /> And now I'm going to borrow your thread for my own mini meltdown: our daycare center is opening the day the stay at home order lifts. There is no way I can run my classroom of toddlers and help my own children with distance learning at the same time. No way. There's also no way that our administration will be able to take adequate precautions. We're just going to be shepherding the second wave. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/this-is-impossible-covid-meltdown-rant#post-2914389 Thu, 23 Apr 2020 00:33:05 +0000 Ms. RV 2914389@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@macintosh: 100% yes to block scheduling. I essentially work four 10s (still call into 15 minute meeting on Fridays) and it has helped immensely. I start at 6 so my day still ends on time. The kids have seemed so much better that I can dedicate Fridays to them. My oldest is almost 5 as well and was experiencing daily meltdowns as well. What has helped (literally over night) is challenging her academically. She loves reading so we bought a deck of sight word flash cards and just going through them once a day has made her completely different. If your son isn't into reading, Priddy Books make a ton of different dry erase workbooks. He's bored and frustrated but doesn't have the words to describe it so wants to retreat into screentime to feel better.</p> <p>Hang in there, you are doing great :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/this-is-impossible-covid-meltdown-rant#post-2914382 Wed, 22 Apr 2020 20:14:48 +0000 charlotte 2914382@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am so sorry you’re going through this. If I put myself in your shoes I feel so anxious and overwhelmed. And I also cannot work when I feel like that. That is a tough age - where they want to stay busy with activities but still need a lot of help (thinking of how my son wanted to do LEGO sets but would get so frustrated and need me for every other piece). I agree with the posters above that you’re doing great and take it one day at a time. Glad your brother can come and help - that will be amazing!</p> <p>In the meantime, does your son nap / rest? We have mandatory “rest” for my 4 year old. She is allowed to bring stuffed animals and books in bed and do whatever she wants in there from about 12:30-2ish but she has to stay in and be quiet. Occasionally she even falls asleep. Staying in for a nice long rest could earn a game of Wii with you after dinner or whatever works for your schedule. </p> <p>Other ideas that keep/ kept my kids busy independently at that age:<br /> Hot Wheels<br /> Magnatiles<br /> Workbooks / dot to dots </p> <p>Things he may be able to do with your husband:<br /> challenges like: “ten jumping jacks then run and touch the wall” + your husband times him on his phone like a stopwatch. My son wants to do this all the time. </p> <p>20 questions types of guessing games like “I’m thinking of something in our house...”</p> <p>I also like the NYT article that’s out there right now about how extra screen time is not going to be harmful!!</p> <p>Fully realize it still takes *your* time to present these ideas and try to get everyone organized and doing them so it may not work out. I really really really hope things get better soon. ❤️ </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/this-is-impossible-covid-meltdown-rant#post-2914378 Wed, 22 Apr 2020 17:31:07 +0000 winter_wonder 2914378@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've been doing block scheduling and it's working ok. MTF I work as much as possible and and at night as well. Tues and Thurs I do email for like an hour in the morning while DD does screen time. Then I put it away until she naps. </p> <p>I think its been ok bc she knows there is dedicated time where I focus on her and I'm not distracted by my laptop. I know this wouldn't work for all schedules though. Do you have to respond to IT questions within a certain amount of time?</p> <p>Hugs :heart: you are doing the best you can right now and that is enough. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/this-is-impossible-covid-meltdown-rant#post-2914361 Wed, 22 Apr 2020 10:47:07 +0000 Pumuckl 2914361@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@macintosh: So sorry to hear you are struggling with so many things at once. </p> <p>I work in a very similar field and I have reduced/shifted my hours. We have 4 kids at home (2x3, 5 &amp; 7 years old) and working while they are about is nearly impossible. While every now and then I can be on a call; I cannot work normal hours. Luckily we have the possibilty to split our time. So I take the early shift with the kids and do the schoolwork and my husband takes over midday and I work until it's time for dinner. While I normally work 32 hours I currently work more like 25. Basically all my work gets done nevertheless so that work is fine with it for now. Have you asked whether they could accomodate you for now? And maybe you could work in three blocks: Early when your DS is still sleeping (don't know obviously how early he gets up), then during the day and then again after he is in bed and only field super important emails and calls in the time inbetween? The last part is how I handle my work in the mornings, so basically I have no PC just my phone.<br /> Hope all this rambling makes sense... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/this-is-impossible-covid-meltdown-rant#post-2914359 Wed, 22 Apr 2020 10:16:12 +0000 foodiebee 2914359@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I could've written this post. I have no solutions but want you to know that I GET IT. I am here in this with you right now, and that's with a supportive spouse who carries his fair share. We have a very social 10mo who literally lights up when I show him youtube videos of other babies. Talk about crushing my heart. He is so desperate to interact with others. DH and I do half days, switching at lunch, and then work more after DS goes to bed. It took time to settle into a schedule we follow each day, but that really did seem to make a difference for all of us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/this-is-impossible-covid-meltdown-rant#post-2914358 Wed, 22 Apr 2020 10:04:50 +0000 Miss Ariel 2914358@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@macintosh: our company has had a lot of discussions about flexible schedules. For example it normally does updates on Saturday and some systems may be down. Instead they’ve asked it move its updates to Sunday, so employees can flex to work Saturdays. There’s also discussion about working earlier or later and making a point to use pto during this period too.</p> <p>With all that said, I do basically agree with you that this is all impossible. My husband and I both have 3 hours of meetings/lectures this morning and our kids (5 and 3) are currently on your 2 of watching episodes of doc mcstuffins. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/this-is-impossible-covid-meltdown-rant#post-2914357 Wed, 22 Apr 2020 09:57:54 +0000 macintosh 2914357@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Jennibenni: Thank you :heart: I tried last night to write down a schedule for myself and the kiddo but they were fighting over the wii and it just all went out the window.</p> <p>@muffinsmuffins: Thank you too :heart: I have depressive tendencies too and it's flaring up right now despite medication. Maybe I need to call my dr and go up on my dosage again (I reduced it a few months ago when I was feeling good).</p> <p>DH has a brain injury so he uses a wheelchair and he has cognitive issues. He's used to being home alone, but not with a child who wants a playmate. They were pretty good about doing games and table activities together during the first couple weeks (alternating with screen time). But now all DS wants to do it stare at his tablet or play Wii. DS is in the other room instructing his dad on how to play Wii golf and they are both getting super frustrated. As I was writing this there was a major meltdown and I had to take the game away.</p> <p>Then there's all the meals, shopping, and taking care of DH every evening (except twice a week when the caregiver comes). My mom still works out of the home (we live together) and she expects me to do all the meal prep, shopping, and dishes myself. Also, she's going to wig out if I tell her how I'm really feeling about all this.</p> <p>I do tech support so I have people calling/emailing me throughout the day and projects I need to work on. I need to keep my job but I really just want to take time off. If I'm off certain things won't get done (literally no one else has access).</p> <p>Has anyone experimented with block schedules or time shifting? I wonder if I could do something like 4 10 hour days, or break up the day and do some of it after DS is in bed. It's my only downtime so I'm hesitant to give it up. Ugh. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/this-is-impossible-covid-meltdown-rant#post-2914356 Wed, 22 Apr 2020 09:56:41 +0000 Mrs. Carrot 2914356@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Right there with you, and I have an older kid (6) and a husband who's fully engaged and supportive so I can only imagine how much harder is it for you. I was talking with a friend who's a mom of an only kid as well and she was saying the same thing, maybe it would be easier if our kids had siblings, but then I hear from friends who have multiple kids how hard it is to balance everyone's wants and needs and fighting, so it really just sucks for everyone all around. Not sure if it would help in your situation but I literally started making a by-the-half-hour schedule for my household, listing out what everyone is doing in that time, and put things like "10 AM - kid and mom play time; 10:30 - kid schoolwork, dad helps, mom on a work call" etc, so that everyone had roles and time frames to follow. It's been helping DH know when he's needed and when I have it covered, it helps kiddo know that sometimes mom and dad will be there to play but other times it's her time to play on her own, etc. It's not perfect by any means, but it's something. Lots of love to you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/this-is-impossible-covid-meltdown-rant#post-2914355 Wed, 22 Apr 2020 09:39:04 +0000 Becky 2914355@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Same. My 6.5 y/o has been horrible lately. I feel like I’m always yelling at the kids and I never get enough work done. I’m really looking forward to maternity leave sometime in June just so I don’t have to be juggling work and kids—that’s how bad it is, it seems easier to juggle a newborn plus a 4 and 6.5 y/o. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/this-is-impossible-covid-meltdown-rant#post-2914352 Wed, 22 Apr 2020 09:25:02 +0000 muffinsmuffins 2914352@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I know I’ve had a super hard time and I have two kids and no disability fo contend with, so I can’t imagine with your situation. I’m sorry it sucks so much. What is the extent of your DH’s disability? Or rather I guess what is he able to do without much help from you? I totally feel you I’m not having energy to do much. The first week I was like ok let’s do this and that and whatnot but now time has dragged on and I cannot be bothered. It’s a depressive tendency of mine for sure.</p> <p>I’ve found my older son who is 5.5 is also becoming more moody and emotional the more this goes on. The saving grace is his little brother, but also we got some of his school friends on Facebook messenger. They just mess around with the filters and giggle at each other basically but it helps to see them. I just texted the parents to ask and add them as I’m not friends with any of them on Facebook. </p> <p>What is your DS into? We are a big car household so we brought out the car road rug and play that a lot and it doesn’t require any physical effort from me other than sitting. Painting, play doh and craft kits are also good with my older and again I just have to sit with them. What about games? Matching, go fish, trouble, snakes and ladders, spot it jr are good. Reading as much as we can of some longer chapter books. </p> <p>I honestly don’t know how anyone who is working is getting anything done so know that you’re not alone and you are doing your best. It just sucks and there’s no way around it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/this-is-impossible-covid-meltdown-rant#post-2914351 Wed, 22 Apr 2020 09:18:47 +0000 Jennibenni 2914351@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Aww! You are right, this is impossible. No one can do everything we’re all trying to do. It’s simply not possible to work from home, and homeschool, and cook, and clean, and entertain kids, and so on. You are doing the best you can and that is enough. You are not failing; this situation is a failure. </p> <p>Focus on getting through small segments, like the next hour or the afternoon. You are doing great! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/this-is-impossible-covid-meltdown-rant#post-2914346 Wed, 22 Apr 2020 08:46:43 +0000 macintosh 2914346@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS is almost 5. He is getting super moody and defiant because he's home all day with noone to play with except his dad - who is disabled. Of course he won't be able to have a birthday party.</p> <p>I'm trying to work and the 2 of them are constantly bickering or my kid is melting down. I can't get anything done because I'm so worried and distracted. I try to take breaks to engage them but I don't have the energy or time to do structured activities for DS.</p> <p>He probably won't be able to go back to preschool or see his friends again. I'm feeling super guilty right now that he's an only child. My brother is going to be laid off from his teaching job so he's going to start coming over to watch DS starting in May, but right now I feel like I'm drowning.</p> <p>I have so much work to do and I can't focus for shit. I'm failing at everything. I just want to quit. </p>