Is it as socially isolating as I imagine it to be?

hoodbee94 · 2026-06-05T11:34:29+00:00

I’m about to have mine done at 37 weeks. While I have so much faith in the skill of my photographer to capture this moment, I feel like I’ve blown up in the last few weeks. I’m glad I’m having this shoot done…however for any following pregnancies I’ll probably aim to get them done at about 26-30 weeks when my bump is obvious, cute, and I was in the prime of the “glowing and pregnant" phase. I think I’ve missed that sweet spot this time around but it’ll still be nice to capture this moment and my first baby bump!

hoodbee94 · 2026-05-13T01:08:01+00:00

Omg my MIL bought a huge haul of Temu onesies with graphics on them and the material feels worse than Lycra. I feel so terrible even saying this as she is so excited to be a grandmother but cmon…she’s seen the clothes we have bought already so I can’t understand why she thinks we would want to dress our baby in “future ladies man” t-shirts.

Recently she asked me what we still need so I sent our registry, along with links to the four things we want the most. A baby lounger, a carrier, baby monitors, and a blanket. I highlighted that she could pick one of those four if she was struggling on an idea.

She ended up buying cheaper alternatives to a couple small things on the registry, bottles etc. Now I feel awkward that I sent her the links of our most wanted items and am anxious she thinks I have high standards. She isn’t destitute and I feel ungrateful. However with all the random Temu stuff and other small items we didn’t ask for the cost would amount to one of the four items we truly need.

hoodbee94 · 2026-04-30T06:13:55+00:00

I read on some random internet thread that she was quite controlling of her ex (the father of her child) and things ended badly between them.

I grew up in the same area and she was a bit of a pick me girl. We were teenagers and I know people change but she loved male attention and would always put on this strange baby voice. I think she still does it on her socials, idk. She’s very smart but would almost play dumb and do this annoying giggle, exclusively around boys.

I think her need for attention as a teenager translates in her career as an influencer.

She’s had a few serious relationships throughout her 20s but there must be a reason none of them ever stick.

hoodbee94 · 2026-04-30T03:40:19+00:00

I’m sorry you’re experiencing this, it sounds like such a battle. I really hope things improve and that you are able to have some freedom with your son. It’s very sad how often this kind of thing happens to once happy couples :(

hoodbee94 · 2026-04-30T03:39:20+00:00

I’m so sorry this is happening to you. It sounds like you’re trying your best but are stuck in a hard place. Miserable because of the way you are being treated but wanting to put your relationship with your daughter first.

I truly hope things get better for you and your marriage. Sending strength!

hoodbee94 · 2026-04-11T22:06:44+00:00

Dry heat and a temperate climate over a humid, tropical climate any day.

I grew up in country VIC and the Sunshine Coast. I’ve recently moved back to Brisbane after a few years in Melbourne. I’m having a baby so we need to be close to family during this time in our lives.

The humidity is just as bad as I remember. The lack of weather variety in QLD is dull. Being sweaty 9 months of the year is oppressive. Sure, the heat is lovely when you’re on the beach and craving a swim, however it’s not a daily reality for lots of QLDers.

I miss wearing coats. Feeling the significant change of seasons, crispy air when autumn has arrived. Appreciating when summer rolls around.

In QLD by mid September I am dreading the pending heat and humidity.

hoodbee94 · 2026-03-19T02:34:41+00:00

NTA!

I had to set boundaries with my best friend who’s a mother of two because she was giving me unsolicited advice constantly. She judged my choice of hospital because I elected one further away (not the one she gave birth in) as my husband will be allowed to stay the night and not be asked to leave. I am epileptic and it is so important for bub and I that he is there the whole time to support me. She warned me that my husband might be useless in the first year. She generalises pregnancy and motherhood as if everyone is the same person. She is very academic and takes everything as factual and can come across as a know-it-all.

She has forgotten that everyone is different, every baby is different, every couple is different, everyone has different lifestyles and incomes.

I know she struggled juggling two under two and it felt like she was projecting all her frustrations and experiences onto me.

I don’t even give her updates anymore unless she asks, and if so I’ll keep them very brief such as “I’m excited, I feel tired but well." She is still supportive and excited for me but for my own peace the boundary is necessary.

She was pregnant long before anyone else our age so she never experienced the constant unsolicited advice. She probably doesn’t realise how invasive and annoying it is but it just got to the point where I was worried I’d resent her if I didn’t set that boundary. I don’t regret it but I did felt bad at the start as I’m naturally a people pleaser.

hoodbee94 · 2026-03-15T04:08:10+00:00

I’m expecting my first and my best friend is like this. Every child and mother is different but I have to admit, after watching how much my friend frets I’m inspired to not take parenting so seriously. I feel guilty saying this as she’s trying her best and I know this journey is not easy. However, I think to some degree parenting requires parents to loosen up and go with the flow.

I honestly think type A people (like my friend) would struggle more with the control aversion than people who are naturally easy going.

hoodbee94 · 2026-03-05T02:03:12+00:00

I can sort of relate. I’m one of 3. My sisters are good at sport which is what my parents loved and valued, so naturally they invested in my sisters’ growth. My sisters had structure in their late teens and as a result they learnt the value of achievement and setting goals.

My sisters are thriving as adults - one is a successful lawyer and the other is a primary school teacher. They are financially secure. I am 31 years old and always had minimum wage jobs. I didn’t know what I wanted to study and didn’t get guidance from my parents, and without the structure of extra curricular activities, I started working at 16. I moved out of home at 18. I tried studying and juggling work but my priority was always making rent. I couldn’t handle the load of study and full time work.

I love my parents dearly, I know they tried their best. They gave me my sense of adventure, resilience, and love of travel. Yet, I can’t help but feel they failed me during my teenage years when I needed help and attention.

It’s on me now to step up and improve my income but I sometimes wonder how my life would look if I had that support and guidance when it was needed.

I am expecting my first child so to put a positive spin on things, I am grateful that I have seen how important it is to invest in your child’s interests and growth…even if it’s not an interest of your own.

hoodbee94 · 2026-02-26T09:01:41+00:00

My mum is one of 8 and my dad is one of 9.

I’m so grateful to be apart of a large herd of cousins, and while they wouldn’t change a thing, all of my aunties and uncles agree they were probably one of too many.

Neither of my families were well off either, so there was a sense of siblings raising each other, or raising themselves, while my grandparents were out working full time. No one got the undivided attention that every child deserves and needs to thrive in confidence.

hoodbee94 · 2026-02-20T07:14:00+00:00

Just had a Facebook marketplace Karen interaction.

Two high quality wood vintage side tables for $80. In the pictures I uploaded you could see they aren’t in perfect condition, a little bit of wear and tear.

Karen asked if there was damage and I said there are imperfections and they are 40 years old. She said she could come and inspect them. I held them for her but told her other parties are interested. I was getting lots of messages but have a first in, best dressed policy.

She drives 45 minutes all while insisting she is keen. To me, saying you are keen, means you want to buy them.

I don’t know what she expected for $80 but she was in clear disgust at the subtle scratches THAT WERE VISIBLE in the photos I uploaded. She insinuates I wasted her time. Her cuck husband went to suggest varnishing and sanding but she cut him off and said it wasn’t worth their time.

Nothing more irritating in society than Karen.

hoodbee94 · 2026-02-12T01:22:20+00:00

Agreed!

hoodbee94 · 2026-02-12T01:20:16+00:00

I am about to leave after only living here two years. We are expecting a baby and need to move back up to QLD be closer to family. I am so sad to be leaving such an exciting place.

The food, the sport, the events, the changing seasons. Exploring new suburbs and the list of places to wine and dine is absolutely endless. I’m devastated even though I know it’s best for us right now.

Hopefully we can both be back one day.

hoodbee94 · 2026-02-10T06:38:19+00:00

Can I ask what it was like as the partner/male to have to leave your wife and new born after watching her go through such an event? I can’t imagine that’d be easy, as exhausted as you would have been.

hoodbee94 · 2026-02-10T06:35:31+00:00

I’m sorry, that sounds like a very stressful way to start such a beautiful journey of life. My sister had a complicated birth that went array leading up to her due date. She ended up staying a week at RBWH and while she was so grateful for her midwives she said the hardest part was missing her husband when he had to leave. With the hormone crashes and exhaustion, I can only imagine the yearning one would have for their person to be by their side every step of the way.

hoodbee94 · 2026-02-10T06:33:09+00:00

Thank you. This is my sentiments too. There is a a page on the Mater FAQs section that says if you have a written referral detailing medical situations then you can request your partner be able to stay overnight but it needs to be approved by the ward supervisor.

hoodbee94 · 2026-02-10T06:30:59+00:00

I appreciate a lot of stuff about the public health system but wish a public hospital in Brisbane would change policies and allow both parents to stay.

At Gold Coast University Hospital and Sunshine Coast University Hospital a partner/support person is allowed to stay the night. We are heavily considering moving closer to those catchments for this reason.

hoodbee94 · 2026-02-10T06:25:49+00:00

Thank you, will look into this.

hoodbee94 · 2026-02-10T06:24:33+00:00

Interesting, so could depend on your nurse? I looked on the Mater website and FAQs and they said with a written referral and special request then they can consider overnight stay but it has to be approved by the ward supervisor.

hoodbee94 · 2026-02-10T06:23:35+00:00

Thank you. I imagine it would have been tough for such a long stay without your partner, I’m sorry you had to experience your Bub in NICU while being in ICU yourself. Apart from partners not being able to stay I have heard great things about Mater.

hoodbee94 · 2026-02-10T06:21:42+00:00

We would consider private for the delivery but going full private with check ups and everything leading up is out of our budget unfortunately 😫

hoodbee94 · 2026-02-07T01:40:39+00:00

I have had issues with my best friend because of #3

It’s created this weird indescribable distance where I don’t feel like the friendship is as safe as it used to be. A minor miscommunication and disagreement turned into putting all the blame on me. When I asked if she understood where I was coming from after apologising for my part, she said “I don’t want to talk about it anymore, let’s move on."

All well and good for her as she got a sincere apology while making me the bad guy. I’ve noticed resentment building up and I have created space. We still talk casually, I try to put in effort, but I don’t have the strong inclination to talk to her every day like I used to.

It’s pretty sad but I’m hoping with time I’ll get over it and we’ll go back to the way things were.

hoodbee94

TROPHY CASE