https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 05 May 2026 07:48:27 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-the-worst-part-about-solo-parenting#post-2721268 Thu, 06 Apr 2017 23:08:38 +0000 Raspberry 2721268@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not having enough time to get everything done before bedtime. I don't get off work until 5 and with a longish commute, pickup, groceries/cooking and bath time it's a real struggle to feed and put LO to sleep in time without DH to share those duties.</p> <p>For DH's last few work trips, including this week, I've given up and just taken vacation time to stay at home. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-the-worst-part-about-solo-parenting#post-2721264 Thu, 06 Apr 2017 22:55:08 +0000 Kemma 2721264@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Emptying the dishwasher! And the after-bedtime tidy up </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-the-worst-part-about-solo-parenting#post-2721262 Thu, 06 Apr 2017 22:51:18 +0000 Dahlia 2721262@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Definitely being bored and feeling like the days drag. I'm solo parenting right now and I feel like I'm losing my mind by bedtime. If we get out or see friends it's better, so I try to make plans.<br /> @Corduroy: I hear you! I feel like 90% of the time DD gets sick it's when DH is out of town, and he's not out of town that often! I think she has croup now and I'm terrified of dealing with it alone if she wakes up having a hard time breathing tonight :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-the-worst-part-about-solo-parenting#post-2721254 Thu, 06 Apr 2017 22:12:57 +0000 youboots 2721254@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@newlypregnantlady: I totally hear you. Now that I'm a parent I'm more of a touch person in general. I hate sleeping alone. It's so lonely. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-the-worst-part-about-solo-parenting#post-2721247 Thu, 06 Apr 2017 22:04:05 +0000 newlypregnantlady 2721247@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@youboots: my DH pretty regularly works late (usually home around 9-10), so I SAH all day and then do dinner and bedtime solo for several days in a row and even those days I'm so much happier. Even though I don't get any help with DD I'm able to connect with him at night when he comes home and it helps me immensely. It's pretty amazing to me how much his presence changes my mood (maybe because my love language is touch?). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-the-worst-part-about-solo-parenting#post-2721240 Thu, 06 Apr 2017 21:51:46 +0000 Corduroy 2721240@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm rarely solo but I am on day one of a five day stretch. The worst thing this time is DD being sick. DH works from home a few days a week so he does the majority of daytime sick care. That's been especially helpful as I'm a relatively new employee trying to prove myself with almost no sick time. I'm trying to stay on top of my inbox during the day and work after bedtime. It's a lot on top of meals, chores, and pickup/dropoff of LO2. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-the-worst-part-about-solo-parenting#post-2721225 Thu, 06 Apr 2017 21:37:09 +0000 MamaCate 2721225@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think the hardest thing is feeling like there is not enough of me and my attention to go around. So there are all these trade offs that leave me unsatisfied:<br /> -if I play before starting dinner then everyone ka hungry and cranky<br /> -if i cook dinner first then everyone is clingy<br /> -if I clean up after dinner the kids don't get attention<br /> -if I don't clean up after dinner then all.the.things have to get cleaned and done after everyone ka asleep<br /> -etc etc etc </p> <p>I try to make the best of it with quality time. And rotate the activities--some nights I will clean but other nights I play.</p> <p>Plus the things that help my sanity the most are making doing all.the.things "fun" like listening to a podcast or watching something mindless as I clean, and not sitting down until the things are done! Then trying to have a little down time for myself, even if I stay up late! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-the-worst-part-about-solo-parenting#post-2721205 Thu, 06 Apr 2017 21:05:17 +0000 lioneyes 2721205@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Mornings! DH usually gets up before me and gets DS up and they have breakfast together. When he travels, I obviously do it and it's so.hard.for.me.<br /> I know I should get up a few minutes early to put my contacts in and get his breakfast together, but I always stay in bed until the last second and then feel so rushed. And then it's so hard to get myself ready for the day once DS is up. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-the-worst-part-about-solo-parenting#post-2721171 Thu, 06 Apr 2017 20:35:37 +0000 youboots 2721171@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@newlypregnantlady: good point. DH and I are so close and I miss him so much. Not just as a co parent but my person that I'm so so in love with. It's easier to solo parent than it was for me before we had kids. His last overnight trip was a week before DD was born and I remember thinking I would never be alone overnight again which was bittersweet. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-the-worst-part-about-solo-parenting#post-2721154 Thu, 06 Apr 2017 20:25:55 +0000 newlypregnantlady 2721154@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For me it's the loneliness of being separated from DH that is what wears on me the most. I usually have someone come stay with me if possible when DH is out of town for awhile and it kind of helps. But since I've been pregnant I'm just too exhausted to deal with a guest plus solo parenting, so when DH goes out of town I just get so down! He's got a mandatory work trip that will have me soloing with a toddler and a newborn and I'm dreading it so much! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-the-worst-part-about-solo-parenting#post-2721133 Thu, 06 Apr 2017 20:02:29 +0000 Ajsmommy 2721133@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>#1 dinner prep<br /> #2 bedtime </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-the-worst-part-about-solo-parenting#post-2721129 Thu, 06 Apr 2017 19:59:05 +0000 FaithFertility 2721129@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Week day evening rush....<br /> Home<br /> Dinner<br /> Clean up<br /> Try to play for a.few<br /> Baths<br /> Baby in bed </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-the-worst-part-about-solo-parenting#post-2721125 Thu, 06 Apr 2017 19:54:18 +0000 Mrs. Pickle 2721125@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetiePie: same! </p> <p>The afternoons, early evenings are hard. Sometimes DD wakes up cranky and it's hard to get dinner ready, get her fed, bathed, and in bed. Also physically it's tough right now. I'm exhausted by the time she's asleep! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-the-worst-part-about-solo-parenting#post-2721109 Thu, 06 Apr 2017 19:31:12 +0000 SweetiePie 2721109@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The 4 hours between nap and bedtime just seems to draaaaaag on foreverrrrrrr. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-the-worst-part-about-solo-parenting#post-2721104 Thu, 06 Apr 2017 19:27:02 +0000 Ms. RV 2721104@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Being the human jungle gym. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-the-worst-part-about-solo-parenting#post-2721099 Thu, 06 Apr 2017 19:24:00 +0000 MrsRoo 2721099@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>After bedtime. When I go downstairs and all I want to do is sit on the couch but dinner has to be cleaned up, bottles have to be washed and re-filled, dog has to be walked, etc Ugh. We all look forward to the nights daddy is home! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-the-worst-part-about-solo-parenting#post-2721090 Thu, 06 Apr 2017 19:17:34 +0000 Smurfette 2721090@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Bedtime without a doubt. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-the-worst-part-about-solo-parenting#post-2721083 Thu, 06 Apr 2017 19:13:11 +0000 Anagram 2721083@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The nights! When I don't get enough sleep, I'm not a happy camper. My kids aren't great sleepers to begin with, but DH was gone last week for a 6 day business trip to London and Glasgow and of course I had a terrible cold, and the LO1 got pink eye and then LO2 had a 3 day fever that we found out was strep and I didn't sleep more than 4 hours a night for at least 5 nights. </p> <p>And now I have strep. :bummed: The nights, for sure. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-the-worst-part-about-solo-parenting#post-2721055 Thu, 06 Apr 2017 18:44:26 +0000 gentlelunette 2721055@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Bedtime. Hands down. My 7 week olds witching hour is right at my 2 year olds bedtime and it's horrible. Tears from everyone. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-the-worst-part-about-solo-parenting#post-2721003 Thu, 06 Apr 2017 17:21:12 +0000 Foodnerd81 2721003@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For me, it's just that even after I've fed them 3 meals plus snacks a day, plus everything else, and I finally get them to bed, the kitchen is still a mess and I have to do all the cleaning up and getting ready for the next day by myself. And not having anyone to talk to after that- I could make a phone call but I'm so tired I end up zoning out in front of the tv and going to bed. </p> <p>DH works fairly long hours so he's not home predictably for dinner or something like that, but at least I can time baths and stuff on his early nights so I can clean up while he does bath and then we are free once the kids are in bed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-the-worst-part-about-solo-parenting#post-2720994 Thu, 06 Apr 2017 17:02:26 +0000 gingerbebe 2720994@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm an introvert so I'm not my best self and the best version of mom if I've been touched and prodded and yelled at all day without a break. I also have a hard time eating with distraction so I rarely eat when the kids eat - meaning I skip meals a lot. Evenings with a cranky toddler and a whining clingy baby when I need to get dinner on the table or clean up afterwards is also so draining. It's just hot chaos. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-the-worst-part-about-solo-parenting#post-2720973 Thu, 06 Apr 2017 16:33:32 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2720973@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>On a day to day basis, less adult interaction.</p> <p>On days where my health issues are a problem (relatively minor non life threatening stuff but still uncomfortable/painful) then it is trying to get through the day with no help doing the physical stuff. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-the-worst-part-about-solo-parenting#post-2720967 Thu, 06 Apr 2017 16:28:07 +0000 Boogs 2720967@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Having to be fully on at all times and not getting much of a break until after bedtime. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-the-worst-part-about-solo-parenting#post-2720963 Thu, 06 Apr 2017 16:21:03 +0000 youboots 2720963@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For me it's the physical care of a nearly 30 lb child. I have some back problems so it can really be difficult on back to back weeks on my wellness.</p> <p>Also on long 5 day weeks since I mostly SAH it's the long days especially when I don't have help. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-the-worst-part-about-solo-parenting#post-2720962 Thu, 06 Apr 2017 16:21:01 +0000 KT326 2720962@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For me it's daycare pick up and the evening rush. DH travels for a week or two every month. While I was on maternity leave it was no big deal. Now that I'm back to work I dread those nights. I have a cranky 3 month old that just wants to nurse, a five year old that wants dinner. Plus all the lunch boxes, bottles and pump parts to wash. Then get everything ready for the next day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-the-worst-part-about-solo-parenting#post-2720959 Thu, 06 Apr 2017 16:16:17 +0000 Iced Tea 2720959@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Mainly, it's having to incorporate pet care into our day. We have no yard, so I have to take on my husband's duty and go out and walk the dog three times a day (pregnant, with a toddler in tow) no matter the weather. It messes with our schedule, and the dog also gets stubborn and refuses to walk sometimes. She's 80 pounds, so I can't force her to move; we all stand there, frustrated. We looked into a dog walker, but it's crazy expensive here. Now if the weather is expected to be really bad, I take the dog to boarding. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-the-worst-part-about-solo-parenting#post-2720958 Thu, 06 Apr 2017 16:15:54 +0000 birdofafeather 2720958@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>not being able to relax during dinner/meals. DH works 24 shifts, so when he's gone, he's GONE. so during the day, i can hang since i'm used to that, but by dinnertime, i'm just like, let me cook in peace! or eat without having to toil over dinner. or get the girls into the tub without worrying about cleaning up dinner, etc.</p> <p>i usually can barely clean up after dinner when the girls get to bed before i give up a watch a show. :P when DH is home, that dinner/bedtime routine is just so much more relaxing! i even enjoy cleaning up when he's home because i'm not worried about the girls ruining their room while i'm in the kitchen, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-the-worst-part-about-solo-parenting#post-2720957 Thu, 06 Apr 2017 16:14:40 +0000 bhbee 2720957@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>There is something mental about it for me. On an average weekday my kids see dh for maybe 15 minutes at bedtime so it's not like it's truly a big difference, but mentally we all have something new to look forward to. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-the-worst-part-about-solo-parenting#post-2720954 Thu, 06 Apr 2017 16:09:49 +0000 Bao 2720954@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When you are solo parenting, what is the worst part of it? </p> <p>For me, it feels like the days DRAG! I have no idea why it feels like the day is going so slow...maybe lack of adult interaction for the most part? I've been solo for a few days and have a few more to go and I can't wait for it to be over, haha! </p>