To have to do an ‘Emma Thompson’ this Christmas?

Sending lots of love and strength to all, I lost my dad and cousin at Christmas during COVID and it's so hard to pretend everything's ok. Please reach out if you're feeling alone!

It’s such a memorable scene, and the music especially, makes me really feel it in my heart. I imagine most of us have had that feeling, many times over the years, especially being a mother, there is a feeling of the show must go on. (Most days) 😁

Sending complete understanding to you all today and hopefully there will be some moments of real joy mixed in with it x

I think they should be understanding to your feelings xx

That sounds terrifying. It's a scandal that CAMGS wait lists are so long

That's so frightening. Good luck with your treatment x

Cancer and chemo, horrible at any time of the year but watching a loved one struggle at Christmas is just heartbreaking

So sorry for everyone going through such hard times. Sending love ❤️❤️

My son is trying to self harm and talks about ending his life roughly twice a week during horrific meltdowns. CAMHS have done nothing except add him to year long waiting lists. School are fab but limited in what they can do.
I go to bed every night wondering whether he will be in one piece tomorrow.
we are hosting Christmas so he's in his own environment, family know but no one else does.
On the outside we appear a perfectly "normal" family without a care in the world. I just want to stand outside my house and scream. my life is a long blur of paramedics and appointments
So yes, i will be faking Christmas and trying to hold it together. i wish everyone, love, luck and kindness.

I’m so sorry, this is awful.

Having dealt with a self harming teen DD who seemed to have no regard for her safety at times, I know the constant gnawing fear.

Look after yourself 🖤🖤🖤🖤

I am so incredibly sorry. Sending so much love xxx

Just spent last night until early hours in A&E as FIL had a bad fall. His health is declining rapidly and living situation is precarious. 2nd christmas without my mum and I am in the middle of treatment for breast cancer. My 2 kids, early teens, are desperate for a merry Christmas as we've had years of hospital runs and traumatic times as my mum's health declined before she passed and then almost immediately my fil health problems started. My DH has been amazing through out but it does feel like we're both doing an Emma this christmas. I hope everyone gets a little bit of solace this christmas.

Very humbled reading this. I was going to moan, but I feel after reading this thread, my moan is really insignificant.

ETing my way through Christmas with my 2 kids like I do every year as Christmas is a hugely triggering time of year for me. Years of abuse at the hands of my SF with my 'DM' watching on and doing nothing. Christmas was the absolute worst one for me as it meant SF was always drunk, which meant violence and abuse, both physical and mental. That man ruined every childhood Christmas i had, do memories aren't great. I struggle with daily triggers in December particularly Christmas and Boxing day. But I soldier on trying to be happy and make memories for my own kids whilst trying not to let the triggers get to me. DH callously said last night that he'd hoped having lots of Christmases with own our kids might have made new memories to wipe out the bad, if only it we're that easy!

That and I'm once again exhausted making the 'magic' of Christmas happen! All whilst watching everyone around you playing happy families knowing you're NC with most of yours (my choice but it stings esp at this time of year)

Huge hugs to those that need them

Last Christmas was mine….. estranged husband took his own life late October. Elderly father moved to nursing home in mid Dec so parents couldn’t come and I couldn’t get to them because dog kennels were full and 2 labs don’t mix with mid 90 year olds. My best friend and her mother plus dog came and we muddled through. It was different. This year dogs are in kennels and I have Christmas in a care home!

this thread made me cry.

also diagnosed with cancer two months ago, have two little ones just turned one and just turned 3. Had to stop breast feeding due to chemo and everything else.

hoping and praying I get to see next Christmas and see my babies grow up. Life is so, so cruel.

Similar, my father is dying. It's a v sad time for the family. Solidarity x

Lost the friends who were our chosen family. Not had a word from them in over six months. I miss them, especially the children, but I have to hold boundaries up against bad behaviour. I am sad and a big chunk of my heart is empty. I try and keep focused on the major bits I still have.

@FacingTheEnd you might want to consider starting a thread about your work situation. I have seen a few of these over the years on Mumsnet and the posters have gotten some really helpful advice. Also, more often than not, things have worked out OK. If nothing else might help ease the knot in your stomach

Sorry for your loss. Sometimes I think struggling on and putting on a brave face is ultimately best for the one experiencing the loss and not just for your kids and other people.

@FacingTheEnd Echoing other posters, I really hope there is a way to deal with this but you are in the thick of it and may not be able to see it.
All employers carry insurance designed to cover incidents caused by employees. This more than likely will take care of the financial aspect, it's what it's for. You sound like you are having giving yourself a hard time but to your family you are more than a job. Their life wouldn't be as good without you. 💐
Is there a charity help line you can call to get it off your chest?

Sending everyone hugs and strength. Not dealing with anything like your struggles, but with 2 young kids, 3 elderly grandparents and some other relatives in some precarious living positions, I fear my ET Christmas is not too far off, so I will make the most of this one.

If you are married then you are entitled to at least 50% of the house, so don't go anywhere! No such thing as ' his house' if you are married. Go and see a solicitor in the New Year . If you don't work you could be entitled to much more too!

I’m so sorry. We have had three miscarriages this year- we’ve been TTC for 2 years. Christmas does throw it all into sharper focus. Sending you love.