https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 25 May 2026 17:33:41 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-solo-parenting#post-859505 Fri, 14 Jun 2013 19:51:15 +0000 blackbird 859505@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I managed to throw salmon in the oven, microwave some frozen veggies, and slice half an avocado up. So at least I got to eat *tonight* :P </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-solo-parenting#post-859466 Fri, 14 Jun 2013 19:26:02 +0000 MsMamaBear 859466@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Try to make dinner ahead. If not, y'all will end up eating unhealthy! We're out for the summer, but more than twice last week, we ate fast food :( When you are crunched for time, it's hard. Try to stay on schedule. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-solo-parenting#post-859460 Fri, 14 Jun 2013 19:23:08 +0000 Boogs 859460@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've never had to do it for that long, but keeping busy is what always keeps me sane. Getting out of the house makes the hours go by much faster. And food, that's always the part that sucks. I just try to keep things as simple as possible. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-solo-parenting#post-859207 Fri, 14 Jun 2013 16:17:02 +0000 blackbird 859207@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@princessbaby, I was hoping you'd chime in on what you eat! I'm going to cook up a bunch of chicken and just eat chicken and leftover veggies a lot, I suppose! I set out a couple pieces of salmon for tonight. I hope now that E is on reflux meds, she doesn't have those 90-min long awful crying jags. Good call on the bananas+almond butter, though!</p> <p>I also have a glass of wine every night! I'm looking forward to it this evening! No shame in enjoying a good glass of vino. </p> <p>I probably won't get much alone time--but I do work out every morning and take E to the gym daycare, so that counts. But she usually goes to bed around 830/9pm and I go to bed at 9pm, too...otherwise I'm a zombie when she wakes up at 530am! I have been putting her down for naps in her crib, which help because I can do what i want in the living room without worrying about every squeak and grunt :)</p> <p>Alright, i'll make sure I get out of the house, even if it's to stroll through TJ Maxx :P </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-solo-parenting#post-859125 Fri, 14 Jun 2013 15:39:24 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 859125@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Food is definitely the hardest. Maybe think ahead about some drive through a nearby. I'll go to Starbucks drive through as a treat when hrh's sleeping in the car. And definitely don't be afraid to call some friends for a little help! I've never gone more than two days at a time. Usually it's fine, but every once in awhile he has a bad day and then I'm beyond exhausted. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-solo-parenting#post-858665 Fri, 14 Jun 2013 13:13:26 +0000 matador84 858665@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I second everything pp's say. For me, solo parenting can be a lonely gig so definitely out of the house is a priority and make the most of spending time with friends or family! even if just going out to eat with someone else who can hold the baby for like ten minutes is a break. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-solo-parenting#post-858643 Fri, 14 Jun 2013 13:07:23 +0000 Andrea 858643@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Meal plan and take care of yourself first. I know I can handle anything if I am well. It doesn't matter if the kids are sick. If I'm sick, forget it. I pop in some Vit C every day. And good luck with your mom! :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-solo-parenting#post-858627 Fri, 14 Jun 2013 13:02:29 +0000 ALV91711 858627@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Have food that is easy to grab and eat. Don't worry so much about cleaning, the baby doesn't care if your house is clean. Getting out of the house will keep you sane, or have a friend over in the day so you can have your hands free for a bit. </p> <p>The time will go fast and you'll do great! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-solo-parenting#post-858570 Fri, 14 Jun 2013 12:45:30 +0000 PrincessBaby 858570@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I eat paleo and solo parent 21 days at a time while my DH works offshore. I basically eat super simple stuff and sadly, not a lot of variety! I just throw a meat/fish in the oven w/coc oil and seasoning and throw a veggie, usually brocolli, on the steamer on our stove. I dont really eat for taste while I solo parent! I mean, what I eat tastes good but there's not a lot to it. I also boil a bunch of eggs and keep those in the fridge for snacks...Also bananas &amp; almond butter. So I'm not very original, but the easier the better when you dont have any help.</p> <p>Also- wine:). After I finally get her down at night, it's MY time and I pretty much unwind w a nice glass or two of wine every night. I'm not ashamed to admit that bc day in, day out, solo parenting makes me go hard- all day, every day. </p> <p>I love DH and am so happy and grateful when he's home, but the pro to solo parenting that maybe only some appreciate (I do!) is getting a tiny bit of time totally to yourself each day, without having to worry about DH's needs too. That sounds really mean, but when he's home, after she goes to sleep, it's time to devote my attention to him. And I enjoy it when he's home, but I definitely also savor my solo parent alone-time also:). I can focus on ME and just veg out. I suppose I'm just really used to his schedule so I've learned to make the best of it:) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-solo-parenting#post-858535 Fri, 14 Jun 2013 12:35:41 +0000 Smurfette 858535@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Find a reason to get out of the house every day.<br /> Have people to talk too<br /> Have plenty of quick meals ready.<br /> Don't worry about cleaning, it can wait. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-solo-parenting#post-858526 Fri, 14 Jun 2013 12:32:24 +0000 blackbird 858526@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm trying to make plans, too! I have a bbq Sunday, lunch on Monday, and a softball game Tuesday night. So it's not going to be that bad, I don't think. I'm probably more anxious than I should be! </p> <p>But planning out meals is kind of stressing me out! Doesn't help that I need to go grocery shopping in the first place, oops.</p> <p>Oh and on top of this, I'm attempting to nap train, lol! ahhhh </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-solo-parenting#post-858519 Fri, 14 Jun 2013 12:29:30 +0000 loveisstrange 858519@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You can do it! I've done it for a few weeks several times now.</p> <p>Just keep busy. Plan easy meals. Keep out of the house as much as you can. Enjoy the time to yourself after your LO is in bed. I taught myself to crochet the first time he left. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-solo-parenting#post-858510 Fri, 14 Jun 2013 12:27:24 +0000 brownie 858510@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My husband was gone for a weekend just a few weeks ago. I bought a bunch of meat and made up a bunch of food so I could just heat it up. I also made a lot of plans to get out of the house (so friends and park etc). Unfortunately, my LO ended up getting sick that weekend so we spent one day at home on the couch watching cartoons.</p> <p>I didn't do any cleaning (except trying to keep the food mess down). I'm not even sure I fed the dogs every day but they survived. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-solo-parenting#post-858480 Fri, 14 Jun 2013 12:19:53 +0000 blackbird 858480@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH has military training for two weeks, so I'm flying solo! My mom will be in town for some of it...but that's a different kind of stress, if you know what I mean. I already made a preemptive appointment with my therapist, heh. </p> <p>What are your tips for solo parenting? I know many of you have husbands who travel for work. I'm trying to meal plan so I can pick up some easy-to-eat things at the grocery store (ie tomorrow's dinner is coming from the crockpot!). Since I'm eating paleo/primal right now, that makes it a big tougher than usual. DH helped me clean the house so it wasn't a pig pen before he left. </p> <p>I'm just kind of anxious about the whole thing--both being by myself and my mom coming. Eep! </p>