https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 30 Apr 2026 01:13:18 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-some-habits-you-wish-you-developed-before-baby#post-740137 Wed, 24 Apr 2013 14:24:11 +0000 Weagle 740137@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wish I had built a cleaning and exercising routine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-some-habits-you-wish-you-developed-before-baby#post-739397 Wed, 24 Apr 2013 10:56:10 +0000 mrs. wagon 739397@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@78h2o: I totally agree with going to bed early and waking up early!! Sleep deprivation was the worst for me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-some-habits-you-wish-you-developed-before-baby#post-739385 Wed, 24 Apr 2013 10:52:49 +0000 sarac 739385@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: Yes! I suggest getting into the best shape of your life, physically. I had to give up babywearing at 7 months because I simply didn't have the back strength. But since I couldn't give up carrying my baby, now I have a bad back. I really wish I'd improved my strength there before having her. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-some-habits-you-wish-you-developed-before-baby#post-739338 Wed, 24 Apr 2013 10:43:41 +0000 ktgee04 739338@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My tip is similar to @Corduroy's - make sure you and your partner both have a clear understanding of all the household chores that need to be done and who will do which. We set up a schedule so that we alternate days of doing dishes, giving baths (if we aren't both available) etc. It may seem a little 'type-A' but it will save you a bunch of arguments over who does what on which day! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-some-habits-you-wish-you-developed-before-baby#post-739335 Wed, 24 Apr 2013 10:42:25 +0000 78h2o 739335@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Going to bed at the same (early) time every night and getting up at the same time every day. I've always been more of a go-with-the-flow type (and a night owl), but my LO needs structure/routine. I try to wake her up at the same time everyday (so she'll go to bed at the same time), but this does NOT come naturally for me. I also need to go to bed earlier, since she will sleep from about 7 - 3:30am, but then wakes up hourly after that. If I could go to bed at 9pm, I'd get 6.5 uninterrupted hours... but I often go to bed at 11 or 12 and them I'm screwed!</p> <p>I also think everything else you mentioned (and PP mentioned) would be helpful too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-some-habits-you-wish-you-developed-before-baby#post-739306 Wed, 24 Apr 2013 10:30:52 +0000 TemperanceBrennan 739306@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Corduroy: That's a really good tip. We make lots of meals together, but I'm usually in charge and give him small tasks to do (like chop veggies) but I put it all together. He also does his own laundry, but never sorts and only uses the "normal" setting. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-some-habits-you-wish-you-developed-before-baby#post-739159 Wed, 24 Apr 2013 10:03:23 +0000 Corduroy 739159@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would make sure you and your partner know how to do all the basic household tasks. My husband learned to cook simple meals two years ago when I was on an extended business trip. His ability to get dinner on the table has saved my sanity so many times. Likewise sometimes I enjoy taking a break from baby and doing chores he's done in the past. </p> <p>I second working out. I did crossfit until my due date and I was shocked how tired and sore I still got caring for a tiny baby. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-some-habits-you-wish-you-developed-before-baby#post-739032 Wed, 24 Apr 2013 09:29:15 +0000 TemperanceBrennan 739032@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: Good point. I try to be a perfectionist, but I realize it is unattainable. </p> <p>@Foodnerd81: I hear you on the neater/tider wish. We clean pretty often, but we let the house get really messy in between.</p> <p> @pui: Healthy eating and exercising is important and we could do a better job at that too. Good luck! </p> <p>@mrbee: Haha thanks! It was more fun that saying DH. My good friend has a 3.5 and 2 year old and she regularly scoops them both up. I get tired holding one of them for more than five minutes! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-some-habits-you-wish-you-developed-before-baby#post-739008 Wed, 24 Apr 2013 09:20:53 +0000 mrbee 739008@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Haha love the Booth reference!!</p> <p>I wish I had gotten into better shape before the kids. Raising kids is physical work, and being in shape helps with handling sleep deprivation! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-some-habits-you-wish-you-developed-before-baby#post-738994 Wed, 24 Apr 2013 09:17:38 +0000 pui 738994@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think the only habits I really tried to improve was eating healthier and exercising. The rest of our lives are pretty much in check.</p> <p>I'm still TTC though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-some-habits-you-wish-you-developed-before-baby#post-738981 Wed, 24 Apr 2013 09:15:05 +0000 Foodnerd81 738981@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO isn't here yet, but I wish I had a more established work out routine before getting pregnant. It was one of my goals that I never quite worked towards, so it was that much harder to try and force myself to do anything active once I was pregnant. I'm 26 weeks and have been to my expensive gym only a handful of times this whole pregnancy, which drives me crazy. I think if I had a routine already it would have been a little easier. </p> <p>I generally wish I was neater/tidier and more organized, but that's nothing new. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-some-habits-you-wish-you-developed-before-baby#post-738979 Wed, 24 Apr 2013 09:14:20 +0000 looch 738979@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I gave up the dream of perfection. Everything is good enough, because there aren't enough hours in the day. I am a WOHM with a demanding (time wise) job and I can't do everything around the house, so we don't live in a Pottery Barn catalog and LO occassionally wears outfits that aren't perfectly coordinated. </p> <p>Good luck to you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-some-habits-you-wish-you-developed-before-baby#post-738973 Wed, 24 Apr 2013 09:12:19 +0000 TemperanceBrennan 738973@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Booth and I are waiting to ttc and start on the adoption path for about another year. While I don't have full-fledged baby fever, I do like being prepared. I know having a baby changes everything, but I was wondering if anyone had any tips to make the transition more smoothly?</p> <p>We started eating dinner at the actual kitchen table instead of the coffee table in front of the tv. We are trying to stick to our monthly budget more closely and we are meal planning consistently. We are also trying to organize and finish decorating/renovating our house. </p> <p>Is there anything you did or wish you did consistently before baby that helped you when baby did come along? Thanks! </p>