https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 04 Apr 2026 02:15:39 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-do-you-get-a-break#post-2471696 Tue, 23 Feb 2016 16:23:19 +0000 Cherrybee 2471696@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>E goes to bed at 7pm and then, once we are done with dinner and after dinner clean up, it's time to relax. Some nights, my DH will want to watch a film or something, which I don't find very relaxing personally, but other nights we chat or sit in silence playing on our phones! If we go to bed at 10pm, that gives me about 2hrs a night. I never get away though, if that's what you mean. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-do-you-get-a-break#post-2471403 Tue, 23 Feb 2016 14:18:56 +0000 Adira 2471403@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Pretty much just after they go to bed, but I also get to sleep in on one of the weekend days, so the night before, I tend to stay up extra late for extra me-time. :D </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-do-you-get-a-break#post-2471399 Tue, 23 Feb 2016 14:16:40 +0000 Dahlia 2471399@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD goes to bed by 7 every night, and afterwards we cook dinner together, eat, and relax or do work. She's at daycare during the week, but on weekends when she naps on me I catch up on reading. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-do-you-get-a-break#post-2471309 Tue, 23 Feb 2016 13:36:45 +0000 Torchwood 2471309@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My mom comes over 1-2 times per week. And I stay up after LO, though she doesn't go to bed all that early. Naps are sort of breaks- I still hold her, so I get reading/internet time, but no freedom to do anything else. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-do-you-get-a-break#post-2471299 Tue, 23 Feb 2016 13:34:13 +0000 Boogs 2471299@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sometimes a little at nap time, but not much because I still have he oldest that doesn't nap. So basically after bed time, which isn't always ideal. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-do-you-get-a-break#post-2471175 Tue, 23 Feb 2016 12:10:36 +0000 gingerbebe 2471175@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I work 3 days a week officially (although I go in on other days when its busy), and DS is in daycare for 5 days a week (no choice, we have to pay full time rates regardless). So I theoretically I should get some down time at least one day a week. Unfortuately, with work being busy, me being pregnant, and DS picking up every daycare virus since Christmas, I've mostly been staying home with DS, sick in bed, working, or going to doctor appointments. And if I do get a few hours free, I'm usually running around grocery shopping, meal planning, cleaning, organizing, and running errands.</p> <p>Day to day, DH usually takes over starting at 630pm with bathtime and what not and DS is in bed by 730pm. I usually start doing chores at 630pm when DH takes over, but I aim to be resting and zoning out by 8pm. DH also wakes up with DS in the morning and while I'm not far behind, just being able to lay in bed and check my phone for a few minutes helps me start the day less frazzled than wrestling a screaming toddler on the changing pad. </p> <p>On weekends, DS goes to church nursery for 90 minutes while DH and I are in service together. DH also aims to take DS out of the house for about 2 hours between some errands and the park so I can get a break. DS naps for about 2 hours every afternoon, so on Sundays, DH and I like to indulge in family nap where we all sleep.</p> <p>DS2 is due mid-May so I'm taking advantage of all of this while I can! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-do-you-get-a-break#post-2471160 Tue, 23 Feb 2016 11:59:57 +0000 skipra 2471160@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Lately I've been feeling so crappy, DH takes the kids out for a while on the weekends. And I really try to relax during nap time but it's not alway guaranteed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-do-you-get-a-break#post-2471157 Tue, 23 Feb 2016 11:59:13 +0000 ShootingStar 2471157@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>On the weekend DS usually naps for a couple hours. I'm also pregnant, so I regularly ask DH to take over for awhile so I can nap if I need it. During the week DH does bedtime most days, so between 7 and 7:30 I'm off for the rest of the evening. DH is a rockstar about picking up the slack when I need him to, especially now that I'm pregnant. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-do-you-get-a-break#post-2471148 Tue, 23 Feb 2016 11:55:00 +0000 Anagram 2471148@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have about 1.5 hours after the kids go to bed at night. I guess. Ish. I mean, during my "break" I also clean up dinner and pack lunches and stuff, but it's a break from the kids, haha.</p> <p>Otherwise, once a week or two, I do solo Target runs or something while DH has the kids. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-do-you-get-a-break#post-2471132 Tue, 23 Feb 2016 11:46:07 +0000 honeybear 2471132@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not sure if this will help or not, but I re-examined what I needed out of a break and now I'm a lot happier! My breaks for the past few years (it took a while to figure this out...) are rarely LO-free time, they're mostly time doing things that I think are fun with LO as my sidekick. I figured out that my preferred spots for recreation are pretty much all outside and generally involve a walk or a swim, which has the added bonus of getting LO exercise and outdoor time. My spots are the beach and the local parks/hiking trails. I think this approach has the added bonus of showing LO how to make your own fun.</p> <p>It took me a while to get here--I used to think of a break/recreation as doing things like going out to a nice restaurant or to a movie/play/ballet. But after becoming a parent, those things simply aren't high on my agenda. I figure (hope!) there will be time for that when LO is old enough to enjoy those things more with me. But for the interim, I needed to figure out stuff that we could do together that replenishes everyone. Being outside accomplishes that for us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-do-you-get-a-break#post-2470964 Tue, 23 Feb 2016 10:28:14 +0000 yin 2470964@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I get a break when LO2 takes a nap and LO is in school. That break consists of eating lunch and cleaning the house. Not much of a break. The kids do go down by 8, and after cleaning up some more, I get to relax on the couch for a bit before bed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-do-you-get-a-break#post-2470954 Tue, 23 Feb 2016 10:25:28 +0000 oliviaoblivia 2470954@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I get to f*ck around on my phone while nursing, does that count?</p> <p>With a three year old, a 14 month old, and a six week old I've given up on having a break for the next couple years. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-do-you-get-a-break#post-2470812 Tue, 23 Feb 2016 09:18:53 +0000 pwnstar 2470812@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>During the week, most things fall to me (we both WOH FT). But, DH does drop off when he's not travelling (and tries to make bath/bed when he can!), and sometimes we trade off pick up if I need to work late or just want to go to the grocery store alone. On the weekends, I take bar classes and DH takes LO out to breakfast one morning, so I get breaks then too. Otherwise, we just help each other out by playing with LO while the other gets a task done. It's definitely a team effort! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-do-you-get-a-break#post-2470804 Tue, 23 Feb 2016 09:16:14 +0000 snowjewelz 2470804@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Umm..Never? On the weekends, when she naps I'm usually running around doing chores. Same for after she goes to bed. If she goes to bed "on time" or "early", then I may get a little more free time after I finish all house chores. But right now she's fighting sleep and not going to sleep till like 9:30 and I was doing chores till 11 last night :meh: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-do-you-get-a-break#post-2470801 Tue, 23 Feb 2016 09:13:34 +0000 mediagirl 2470801@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A couple of ways.<br /> 1. Work<br /> 2. Every other Wednesday I go to a MOPS meeting in the evening. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-do-you-get-a-break#post-2470795 Tue, 23 Feb 2016 09:10:17 +0000 fancyfunction 2470795@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I SAH so it's when my husband comes home from work, at night, weekends (I let him mostly take the lead) and once a week my parents and MIL come by for a few hours each day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-do-you-get-a-break#post-2470793 Tue, 23 Feb 2016 09:09:00 +0000 Greentea 2470793@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My kid doesn't nap and isn't big on sleep. When she is sleeping, I am sleeping! I am super exhausted right now, so DH has been watching her in the evening so that I can rest. That's my break!</p> <p>Napping was never a break for me because it would take an hour to get her to do it.. then she'd wake 2 minutes later. So I am almost glad she doesn't anymore!</p> <p>DH does bath, a really short and quick bath, but it still helps to know he does it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-do-you-get-a-break#post-2470790 Tue, 23 Feb 2016 09:07:32 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 2470790@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not enough lately. I stay home. My son hates naps and often cries for 15 minutes before falling asleep. Then 30 minutes in to the nap he is either up for good or cries for another 15 minutes. </p> <p>So sometimes I get like an hour break interrupted with crying. So it's stressful and not a break. He also has been getting up early so I go to bed early. Around 930. Last night he didn't fall asleep until 830. </p> <p>Basically I feel like my breaks only come when I'm also sleeping and it's getting me down. </p> <p>Oh. DH is super helpful but the last three weeks he worked a late shift and didn't get home until ds was in bed. So breaks were just not happening!! I need my kid to sleep. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-do-you-get-a-break#post-2470787 Tue, 23 Feb 2016 09:07:06 +0000 Ree723 2470787@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Double nap time is really my only break. Fortunately, both girls (3.5 yrs and 24 months) both nap well every day so I get a 2 hr block to myself, and then an additional hour from my 2 yr old, who sleeps longer but is definitely the more challenging one anyway!</p> <p>Other than nap time, breaks for me are few and far between. I keep telling DH though, once baby #3 arrives, I will be taking time for myself two to three times a week to go have a nice long session at the gym. I can't wait, I miss the gym. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-do-you-get-a-break#post-2470781 Tue, 23 Feb 2016 09:04:01 +0000 LuLu Mom 2470781@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I take a 30 minute bath every night, that's my unwind time. I put in earphones and watch an episode on Netflix and just relax. I usually do it to give DH some one on two time with the girls after dinner (I get mine when I get home from work before he gets home.) It's good for my soul and helps me have a little "me" time to unwind from the day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-do-you-get-a-break#post-2470752 Tue, 23 Feb 2016 08:35:36 +0000 Truth Bombs 2470752@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Right now I don't get many breaks because we have a three month old who is exclusively breastfed. Every time I leave him he drinks way more milk than he should for that time period! So I'm nervous to leave him for too long. But next weekend I'm doing girls night with some friends just at a bar near the house so I'm close if my little chunk screams in my husband's face for MORE MILK. But before he was born and it was just our 3 year old I got lots of breaks. My husband would take her out of the house for little dates so I could rest or get chores done. Or he would handle school pick up so I could get my hair done or have a massage after work. It's all about finding balance and helping your partner to get what they need to be a happy and effective parent. Once this LO is nursing less I'll definitely be planning some big breaks where my husband can take over kid duties 😝 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-do-you-get-a-break#post-2470744 Tue, 23 Feb 2016 08:19:35 +0000 Cole 2470744@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I finally realized it was important for my husband to figure out putting her to bed once a week. It really helps a lot. I usually leave the house, honestly, the few times I haven't I still wound up nursing her down but it wasn't as intense as most evenings since he had handled everything else. I sah and usually just hand her over once he gets home. I also make a point of taking an hour or two over the weekend without her. During that time I am typically doing house projects but I make myself something nice to drink and put on a podcast. </p> <p>We don't have family and she's terrible with sitters so for now this is the best option for us. While I usually head to bed early too, I do find that the nights I wind up out until 10-11 aren't bad since it's not frequent. I get a second wind and have a good time usually. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-do-you-get-a-break#post-2470736 Tue, 23 Feb 2016 07:52:55 +0000 FaithFertility 2470736@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Lately not enough! I feel so bad as I am so tired and DD seems to be going through a phase of bad sleep, early wakes, and I need a break!<br /> I get a few hrs at night due to her bedtime, but I need a day to just relax get some house stuff done!<br /> DH is off all weekend so I'm hoping I can do just that and he can have a daddy daughter day with her! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-do-you-get-a-break#post-2470734 Tue, 23 Feb 2016 07:48:29 +0000 Silva 2470734@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I make my daughter do an hour of quiet time if she doesn't nap. I try to talk on the treadmill and watch t.v. Then, unless I have work to do.<br /> She also goes to bed early, she sleeps from 7 to 6:30, so I have some time in the evenings (although lately I'm too spent to be very productive).<br /> On the weekends my husband takes her to a bakery and open gym time on Saturdays, and I sleep in/hangout at home.</p> <p>Probably once a month, when my husband is working the weekend call shifts, I take her to my parents and they play with her a ton while I relax or go visit friends. Lately they have been having her come stay with them alone for a night or two, maybe once every two-three months.</p> <p>I really need time when I'm alone in my house to feel human, so I've been prioritizing it lately! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-do-you-get-a-break#post-2470724 Tue, 23 Feb 2016 07:33:04 +0000 sslm 2470724@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My DD is almost 3 and she doesn't nap anymore. She also doesn't go to bed that early... haha. So we get our breaks when one of us solo-parents for a bit. Or my parents take her for a few hours! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-do-you-get-a-break#post-2470711 Tue, 23 Feb 2016 07:10:35 +0000 ValentineMommy 2470711@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When they go to bed. And it's not for long.</p> <p>DS2 goes to bed around 7:30 and DS1 around 8:30. Then I take my shower, get everything ready for the next day, and I'm watching tv in bed around 9:30. This generally keeps me up longer than I should stay up, and I go to bed around 10:30-11. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-do-you-get-a-break#post-2470704 Tue, 23 Feb 2016 07:07:04 +0000 Applesandbananas 2470704@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Is it when your LO naps? Does your LO go to bed early? Do your parents take LO for a day here and there?</p> <p>I need to find time for more breaks, especially on the weekend, because I go to work more exhausted on Mondays than I left on Fridays. LO doesn't nap and when he goes to bed around 8, I'm not far behind him!</p> <p>Sometimes I take a half day of PTO and nap but PTO is very limited so that's pretty rare. </p> <p>When do you get a break? </p>