https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 16 Apr 2026 21:58:20 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/while-you-were-both-off-work-with-a-newborn-did-dh-actually-do-half-of-the-parentingchores/page/2#post-1768587 Fri, 18 Jul 2014 21:16:04 +0000 Mrs. Oatmeal 1768587@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We were off together for a week - he took awesome care of me. He was a huge help - I had an awful infection, so I couldn't move off the couch - I think he did way more than 50% </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/while-you-were-both-off-work-with-a-newborn-did-dh-actually-do-half-of-the-parentingchores#post-1768272 Fri, 18 Jul 2014 17:32:48 +0000 sorrycharlie 1768272@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>he was only home maybe 1.5 weeks, 2 weeks? he definitely helped a lot! mainly because I could barely move. I had a rough recovery. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/while-you-were-both-off-work-with-a-newborn-did-dh-actually-do-half-of-the-parentingchores#post-1768270 Fri, 18 Jul 2014 17:31:50 +0000 Grace 1768270@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have no idea. It's all a blur. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/while-you-were-both-off-work-with-a-newborn-did-dh-actually-do-half-of-the-parentingchores#post-1768194 Fri, 18 Jul 2014 16:31:41 +0000 Greentea 1768194@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It was just survival! He was right there with me... we ordered groceries delivered, he got up with every night wake, he held her when she was awake at night to give me short naps. He only had a few days off but he was the best. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/while-you-were-both-off-work-with-a-newborn-did-dh-actually-do-half-of-the-parentingchores#post-1768163 Fri, 18 Jul 2014 16:09:55 +0000 LuLu Mom 1768163@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our parents did a lot for us those first couple weeks. DH was only off for a week, and we were in the NICU the whole time, so by the time we got home our mom's took turn staying with me since I had a section. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/while-you-were-both-off-work-with-a-newborn-did-dh-actually-do-half-of-the-parentingchores#post-1768134 Fri, 18 Jul 2014 15:50:06 +0000 Crisark 1768134@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@yoursilverlining: Yeah LO is 15months and on DH's days off, while I'm at work, he will do laundry and clean up. I come home daily to a picked up house and clean clothes. And he came that way!!! No training needed ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/while-you-were-both-off-work-with-a-newborn-did-dh-actually-do-half-of-the-parentingchores#post-1767728 Fri, 18 Jul 2014 12:47:56 +0000 DigAPony 1767728@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My husband was off for two weeks. He was wonderful and did a lot of the household work and grocery shopping, and he changed almost all the diapers and brought baby to me to nurse. He really took care of me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/while-you-were-both-off-work-with-a-newborn-did-dh-actually-do-half-of-the-parentingchores#post-1767720 Fri, 18 Jul 2014 12:43:03 +0000 Applesandbananas 1767720@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No... I think he was pretty shell-shocked. We both were. You can plan until you're blue in the face, but once LO gets here, it could all go out the window! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/while-you-were-both-off-work-with-a-newborn-did-dh-actually-do-half-of-the-parentingchores#post-1767717 Fri, 18 Jul 2014 12:42:05 +0000 yellowbird 1767717@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Neither of us did any chores!! We were just trying to survive. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/while-you-were-both-off-work-with-a-newborn-did-dh-actually-do-half-of-the-parentingchores#post-1767714 Fri, 18 Jul 2014 12:38:52 +0000 Cherrybee 1767714@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>He actually did more than me while he was on paternity leave because I was so ill with mastitis and, it transpired, a small bit of retained placenta. I was a wreck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/while-you-were-both-off-work-with-a-newborn-did-dh-actually-do-half-of-the-parentingchores#post-1767516 Fri, 18 Jul 2014 11:17:45 +0000 mdf106 1767516@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did more because I was EBF, and breastfeeding alone was more than half of the work. There were times LO was eating for one hour every two hours throughout the day, and there is just nothing else that takes that much time. DH did the vast majority of everything other than breasfeeding. He did most of the diaper changes, and all of the chores, including dog care, dishes (especially pump parts), cooking, etc. I did some laundry. We both held LO while he slept, but that was because we wanted to. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/while-you-were-both-off-work-with-a-newborn-did-dh-actually-do-half-of-the-parentingchores#post-1767504 Fri, 18 Jul 2014 11:14:22 +0000 Mae 1767504@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH didn't have a ton of time off of work and even less time home with me because we spent an entire work week in the hospital with delivery. But the time he did have at home he did 90% of the housework. I had a c-section and really couldn't do most of it so he did. Including feeding me! He made and brought me every meal the first week we were home. In terms of parenting I guess I maybe did a little more because he spent more time doing housework? But basically for the time he was home there was really no time where either of us weren't being productive. We were parenting or he was cleaning or I was pumping or whatever. He definitely stepped up. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/while-you-were-both-off-work-with-a-newborn-did-dh-actually-do-half-of-the-parentingchores#post-1767438 Fri, 18 Jul 2014 10:52:50 +0000 oliviaoblivia 1767438@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did all of it. I got released from the hospital on Friday. He was back at work on Monday. It sucked. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/while-you-were-both-off-work-with-a-newborn-did-dh-actually-do-half-of-the-parentingchores#post-1767395 Fri, 18 Jul 2014 10:34:14 +0000 Mrs. Pen 1767395@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>He did a lot. I had a lot of post partum issues and wasn't able to get out of bed for the first several days. While I was breastfeeding, he still did all meals, some housework, and diaper changes. My sister and mom came over to help him out too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/while-you-were-both-off-work-with-a-newborn-did-dh-actually-do-half-of-the-parentingchores#post-1767391 Fri, 18 Jul 2014 10:33:12 +0000 travellingbee 1767391@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, it was great having him home with us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/while-you-were-both-off-work-with-a-newborn-did-dh-actually-do-half-of-the-parentingchores#post-1767387 Fri, 18 Jul 2014 10:30:56 +0000 avivoca 1767387@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>He did everything. It was wonderful. He actually yelled at me for trying to do things that didn't involve the baby (like the dishes). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/while-you-were-both-off-work-with-a-newborn-did-dh-actually-do-half-of-the-parentingchores#post-1767362 Fri, 18 Jul 2014 10:19:45 +0000 Boheme 1767362@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>He did everything! I was a mess. All I had to do on my own was nurse the baby. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/while-you-were-both-off-work-with-a-newborn-did-dh-actually-do-half-of-the-parentingchores#post-1767354 Fri, 18 Jul 2014 10:15:08 +0000 yoursilverlining 1767354@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Crisark: Ditto this. He definitely does more than 50% of the chores and parenting; 2 years later! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/while-you-were-both-off-work-with-a-newborn-did-dh-actually-do-half-of-the-parentingchores#post-1767345 Fri, 18 Jul 2014 10:10:06 +0000 winniebee 1767345@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH was off for almost 2 weeks. He probably did more parenting than me but I did more chores. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/while-you-were-both-off-work-with-a-newborn-did-dh-actually-do-half-of-the-parentingchores#post-1767329 Fri, 18 Jul 2014 10:00:20 +0000 MamaBehr 1767329@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH was amazing with our first and second children. He did everything I asked/needed and even anticipated I needed. With our third, he had just broken his tibia in two spots and could hardly move, so my mom helped me then. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/while-you-were-both-off-work-with-a-newborn-did-dh-actually-do-half-of-the-parentingchores#post-1767322 Fri, 18 Jul 2014 09:56:16 +0000 Woolly Mammoth 1767322@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I basically just nursed, pumped, and cleaned pump parts. DH did everything else for those two weeks he was home. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/while-you-were-both-off-work-with-a-newborn-did-dh-actually-do-half-of-the-parentingchores#post-1767297 Fri, 18 Jul 2014 09:43:56 +0000 Crisark 1767297@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>He probably did more than half and still does. He's amazing with sharing all responsibilities. I am very fortunate. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/while-you-were-both-off-work-with-a-newborn-did-dh-actually-do-half-of-the-parentingchores#post-1767294 Fri, 18 Jul 2014 09:42:51 +0000 fussygal 1767294@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did most of the parenting because she was/is EBF. DH did all of the housework! I miss it - lol. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/while-you-were-both-off-work-with-a-newborn-did-dh-actually-do-half-of-the-parentingchores#post-1767287 Fri, 18 Jul 2014 09:39:28 +0000 ShootingStar 1767287@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As a whole it was totally 50/50. DH did most of the diaper changes, but I did most of the feeding. I was breastfeeding, but we did some bottles occasionally, which he did. He did all the stuff with the dog - feeding, walking, etc. He did dishes and I can't remember who prepared food. Probably me? We had a lot of freezer meals my mom left us though, so not much prep needed. </p> <p>The first week we were home was awesome though - my parents stayed with us and did all the cooking and cleaning. It was so nice to just come downstairs after napping with the baby and have a nice meal on the table. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/while-you-were-both-off-work-with-a-newborn-did-dh-actually-do-half-of-the-parentingchores#post-1767278 Fri, 18 Jul 2014 09:36:23 +0000 meganmp 1767278@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>He did so much, it kind of makes me feel like a schmuck. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/while-you-were-both-off-work-with-a-newborn-did-dh-actually-do-half-of-the-parentingchores#post-1767143 Fri, 18 Jul 2014 08:43:52 +0000 Foodnerd81 1767143@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>He was only off work for a little less than 2 weeks, but I definitely did more parenting, while he did more chores around the house. I slept in the nursery for the first week and change (the bed was lower and easier to get in and out of) and DH stayed in our room and didn't get up in the middle of the night with me. We figured it was better for one of us to have some decent sleep and be functioning a little better during the day. It worked for us most of the time, except on the nights when C would just be screaming during a change or something and I'd be ragey thinking DH could hear her and wasn't coming in, when in reality he sleeps like a freaking log and was oblivious. Grr. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/while-you-were-both-off-work-with-a-newborn-did-dh-actually-do-half-of-the-parentingchores#post-1767118 Fri, 18 Jul 2014 08:37:54 +0000 Adira 1767118@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hubs pretty much did everything the first couple weeks so that I could focus on nursing. He did all the diaper changes, outfit changes, swaddling, shushing, etc. He also did all the cooking, cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping! And I nursed what felt like 24/7. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/while-you-were-both-off-work-with-a-newborn-did-dh-actually-do-half-of-the-parentingchores#post-1767115 Fri, 18 Jul 2014 08:36:16 +0000 Mrs. Lion 1767115@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wasn't keeping track but he did a ton. I had to nurse and the bottle feed and pump for every feeding. Dh did most of the bottle feeding and washing and diapers while I was pumping. He also always did the 10pm feeding so I could go to bed a little earlier and get extra rest. New babies definitely mean all hands on deck. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/while-you-were-both-off-work-with-a-newborn-did-dh-actually-do-half-of-the-parentingchores#post-1767114 Fri, 18 Jul 2014 08:35:37 +0000 MrsTiz 1767114@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes! On his paternity leave DH did 99.5% of all the chores and 50% of the parenting, and waited on me hand and foot! Best 2 weeks of my life ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/while-you-were-both-off-work-with-a-newborn-did-dh-actually-do-half-of-the-parentingchores#post-1767103 Fri, 18 Jul 2014 08:31:00 +0000 swedishfish 1767103@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Absolutely...and LO was EBF until I went back to work. Parenting, to me, means both of us are responsible for this LO. </p>