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AIBU?

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Original poster

Son working Christmas 🫠

36 replies

bunny6767 · 15/09/2026 20:49

Aibu to feel really weird my sons working on Christmas Day. He’s 18, has his first part time job in a pub and has had to pick Christmas or New Years eve. We always have a New Year’s Eve party so he’s picked Christmas. He finishes at 6 and will be home straight after but it’s the first ever year one of them won’t be in 🥲😂.

I haven’t moaned to him by the way I’m just realising they are properly getting their own lives and it’s really lovely for them but it’s making me feel old and just freaked out slightly by the transition 🤣. We are also looking at unis next month for open days and it’s all just come too soon 😭

OP posts:
Original poster
bunny6767 · 16/09/2026 19:28

tanktopper · 16/09/2026 07:10

I don't mean to diminish what you feel but just want to add perspective. I would be so so happy if this were my worry about my son and Christmas. As it stands he has significant mental health issues and I don't even know if he will come out of his room at Christmas. A part time job is something I can only hope one day he might be able to do.

I wish you and your son all the best x

OP posts:
tommyhoundmum · 16/09/2026 19:48

bunny6767 · 15/09/2026 20:49

Aibu to feel really weird my sons working on Christmas Day. He’s 18, has his first part time job in a pub and has had to pick Christmas or New Years eve. We always have a New Year’s Eve party so he’s picked Christmas. He finishes at 6 and will be home straight after but it’s the first ever year one of them won’t be in 🥲😂.

I haven’t moaned to him by the way I’m just realising they are properly getting their own lives and it’s really lovely for them but it’s making me feel old and just freaked out slightly by the transition 🤣. We are also looking at unis next month for open days and it’s all just come too soon 😭

My daughter works Christmas and NY so colleagues with children get the time off

persephoneee · 16/09/2026 19:54

I'd say the first one without him is the hardest, but it's good in a way because it's not that he doesn't want to be with you all, it's because he is growing up and being responsible and gaining independence. That is your job in life with a child, so you should take a big bow for doing a great job.

You will see him in the evening, and that will be something to look forward to.

minecrafter · 16/09/2026 20:03

I worked Christmas Day in hospitality every year from age of 17 to 21, and it is hard as it changes all the Christmas plans for the family. Plan a nice day on Boxing Day, or another day instead

StableCable · 16/09/2026 20:05

We have lots of family members working in the NHS - we have always moved the days to suit shift patterns. You can have your Christmas Day on Boxing Day for eg

LlynTegid · 16/09/2026 20:11

There will be some people your son serves for whom being able to have Christmas in the place he works will mean a great deal. Some who might be alone otherwise.

Think of his part in that.

Ponderingwindow · 16/09/2026 20:11

Christmas dinner is the one meal we do late in the evening for some reason. No idea why it ended up that way.

Maybe presents and breakfast before he goes and a late dinner.

BashfulClam · 16/09/2026 20:39

My dad often worked on Christmas Day. If he was on day shift we’d get up with him and open presents. Then have our Christmas meal at dinner time. If she was nightshirt we’d open presents before he went up bed and have dinner again a bit stereo let him sleep. It’ll be different but ok.

JudyTeeny · 16/09/2026 20:43

My son worked Christmas Day when he was 18- he had a job in a pub restaurant and they opened for lunch. He finished at 3pm, came straight home and we had our dinner at 4pm. Somehow it seemed extra special because we were waiting for him to come home. He got nearly as much in tips as his wage for the day too! It was better than when he had a paper round and had to be up at 6.30am on Boxing Day!

Madcats · 16/09/2026 21:44

My soon to be yr2 DD has been working in a pub this summer and comes home with some tales from her “naice” pub. If MN AIBU posts are anything to go by you will be hearing about the Christmas lunch dramas in the pub well into the new year!

Yes, Christmas will be different for you this year. Why not send him off, having had a fancy breakfast (be it full English, pancakes, something completely different..).

Well done to him for signing up for Xmas so that those with young kids or elderly relatives can spend time with them.

Sartre · 16/09/2026 21:46

Do the dinner when he gets home then put a nice film on or play a board game and crack out the celebrations.

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