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Original poster

Christmas with older children is so boring

49 replies

ALemonyPea · 24/12/2018 10:39

Don't feel Christmassy at all. It's quite depressing.

None of them are interested in watching a Christmas film with us, they didn't want to decorate the tree this year either. There's been no nativity plays or trips to see Santa.

We were going to go to the cinema today, but we can't all agree on what to go and see, so we're not going.

Really wish they were little again this time of year, anyone else feeling like this today?

OP posts:
AuntieStella · 24/12/2018 10:49

Not today - but have in the past. Hang on in there - this may prove to be a phase which will pass.

My DC are unite large teens now. And for the last couple of years there was very little interest in the tree and quite a lot of other Stuff. But this year, it seems to have all come back again. Yes traditions evolve, eg Santa visits stop, panto changes to film or trip to the West End, tithings like a trip to a pop up ice rink or local ski centre got added, Carol service changed to midnight mass.

Now, when they were being refuseniks, a list like that seemed like a distant dream. Sorry in advance if it does to you. My intention was to say that one or two duff years isn't always a be-all-and-end-all.

chipsnmayo · 24/12/2018 10:57

I agree OP, it's just been DD and I since she was 2, we had a lot of fun when she was younger. But since she's been a teenager it's been a bit bland (she is 19 now) if its just the two of us (some years we have done big family christmases). Tbh it's like any other day other than a nice meal and visiting family / friends over the Christmas period, DD even hates Christmas music.

We are not even doing presents this year for each other because we are both skint, have got a couple of small decorations up and a tiny tree.

user1494066152 · 24/12/2018 11:02

Yeah I'm feeling it this year.... i have one at full time work, one in college and one just started high school.

I've spent all week trying to encourage them to do stuff and none of them are interested. We will see family over the next couple of days but otherwise when they are indoors I don't see much of them.

I'm a lone parent so feel pretty lonely tbh... my neighbours have little kids and I can hear the excitement through the walls it's lovely 😊

Interested in this thread?

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Christmas Events & celebrations
Twisique · 24/12/2018 11:05

Yep! We are going to the cinema, but I chose the film!

ChippyMinton · 24/12/2018 11:11

Mine are still interested. They’ve decorated the tree, bought and wrapped gifts, been to the panto, insisting on crispy duck for tea tonight as it’s apparently our tradition Hmm, rigged up the outside fairy light and a projector light thing Hmm, made a (very boozy) trifle. All the above with a phone in one hand and gaming controller in the other Xmas Grin

BigSandyBalls2015 · 24/12/2018 11:14

How old are they OP?

I was thinking earlier it’s not the same. Mine are late teens although I have persuaded one to come and see Mary poppins with me Smile. Only managed that with a promise of a Wagamama after!

Original poster
ALemonyPea · 24/12/2018 11:19

They're 10, 13 and 15. The 10 year old vein doesn't want to drive much, which I think I'm struggling with more as his brothers were still inter see at his age.

We are going to the pub later for food with family, they're looking forward to that I suppose.

OP posts:
TheLastNigel · 24/12/2018 11:30

Me- mine are 11 and 13.All they seem Interested in is the presents. They don't seem bothered about any of the rest-I've had to drag them out to do the little traditional bits they've always enjoyed-trip to pick a bauble, Carol concert, drinks with friends etc...
We had my family down on Saturday and they took part after some persuasion, and were fine-but tomorrow is just me and them and their dad-my ex husband- and I'm dreading it tbh-it was fine when they were excited and enthusiastic but if they are going to just sit on their phones all day I'm going to struggle to sit with him all day and keep the pretence of cheer up.
Seriously thinking of going somewhere and volunteering next year. At least I would get something back from that at the same time as giving. This year Christmas feels like a thankless ta

PeroniZuchini · 24/12/2018 11:35

It’s great. I’m I’ll and trying to get well for tomorrow, so one of them is doing the hoovering upstairs (yes I know it’s Christmas Eve but she’s done nothing but lounge around with friends or on her phone since finishing school on Friday), and the other will be making cauliflower cheese and going to the chemist for me later. They may not be as much fun but they certainly get more helpful!
We had a lovely evening watching TOTP 2 last night.
To be fair I’m done with nativities and Santa visits nowadays anyway!

PeroniZuchini · 24/12/2018 11:35

I’m ill (FFS)

Happyandshiney · 24/12/2018 11:38

Maybe it’s time to develop some new traditions?

I bet you don’t plan exactly the same kind of summer holiday for your family as you did when they were tiny? Why should your Christmas holidays stay static?

What would your D.Cs ideal
Christmas look like?

Ifailed · 24/12/2018 11:41

I wouldn't say it's boring, quite the opposite. At last freedom from Compulsory Fun and contrived socialising.

BringOnTheScience · 24/12/2018 11:42

My teens are into it in a different way. DC1 enjoys being the only one who knows what DH and I have got for each other. They very skillfully deflected me from getting a coffee machine for DH last year because he'd already got one for me!

DC2 is a dab hand at wrapping.

I'm not missing piles of toys & tat. Not being woken at 5.30am tomorrow will be great.

It's just different as they get older. Xmas Smile

gamerchick · 24/12/2018 11:46

You can borrow my 11 yr old if you want OP. He's bouncing off the walls, wants to know what we're doing today (I need to clean the house) and has done 2 pantos this month amongst other things. He's right into Christmas and all the things that go with it.

But yes it's time to make new traditions. They grow up and things change.

youarenotkiddingme · 24/12/2018 11:49

I'm having my best friend and her 2 over later for Christmas Eve with me and ds. Kids are 13/14/15.

The 15yo is the one who insists we stick to this tradition every year. When they were younger the day consisted of a panto, ringos, cinema or farm trip etc. Evolved to a film etc.

Nowadays we tend to play board games and do quizzes I print off the internet.

Not denying other than those few hours they aren't all glued to a screen though 😂

Boredboredboredboredbored · 24/12/2018 11:52

Mine are 14 and 15 and have been shut in their rooms since they woke up this morning. It's like this most of the time unless I make them come out. Christmas is no different not seems. Going out for a meal shortly so may get a conversation out of them Hmm

popcornwizard · 24/12/2018 11:58

Mine still seem quite up for Christmas stuff (11&13) - they've even decorated their own bedrooms. They're currently wrapping presents while dh is at work, then will be helping to prep 150 bacon rolls later (too much to do all on Christmas day).

I will always get them to write a Santa list, and I'm never telling them that it's me, even though they both know Xmas Wink

Theperfectchangeling · 24/12/2018 11:58

No twiddly plastic ties to undo on xmas day! Or sneaking around at 2 in the morning to make sure Santa has been and the bubble is not burst! Bliss! Also, we now get a coffee in bed from my older DC’s when they (still) bring their stockings in christmas morning. I don’t really miss the nativities etc... they were great at the time, but also an additional drain on our already stretched resources! time moves on, and that’s ok. Maybe one day I will have grandkids and will get all the cutesy magic again, but for now, I am happy to have a rest from the pressure of making christmas ‘magical’ for the little ones.

Enjoy the rest OP, you have earned it. They wont always be grumpy beggars, try and find other ways to enjoy christmas as a family, yeah, it’s not the same, but it can still be enjoyable in a different way Wink and this is speaking as a mum with DD (19) still in bed and DS (12) busy playing fortnite.

Dowser · 24/12/2018 12:12

Practically a Christmas free zone here...loving it

DumDumgirl82 · 24/12/2018 12:20

DH Ds1 17 and DS2 15 can't be arsed to do anything. They all suck the joy and it's affecting me. Loved it when they were little but now it's a reason to have. Break off school and work etc. They do no organisation whatsoever and never have done. I feel pretty lonely actually. I did have a mini strop which( is the only way to get anything done around here.

ChelseaBabbage · 24/12/2018 12:28

Mine are 20 and 22 and I still have to do all the old traditions, everything from the tree, the food, the board games. Wo betide me if I try to suggest any changes. I still have to fill stockings and leave at their bedroom door. At least I can safely do it at a civilised time on Christmas morning now.

surferjet · 24/12/2018 12:29

I agree op.
The real ‘magic’ of Christmas goes once the kids get to about 10.
Once they stop believing in Father Christmas basically ( I was lucky, mine believed until they were about 10 Smile )

Once they get older it’s just another weekend, just with tinsel & presents they’ve already asked for.

TheFirstOHN · 24/12/2018 12:38

My three mid-teens are not overly enthusiastic, but the 18 year old is quite keen this year.

He asked to decorate gingerbread men, decided he wanted to play a game of monopoly, voluntarily came to a carol service I was singing in, has gone to a nativity service this afternoon and is planning to go to midnight mass tonight.

I think moving to university has made him appreciate home and family traditions more.

Oddsocksandmeatballs · 24/12/2018 12:39

I will lend you my 28 year old, she loves Christmas and still does all the Christmassy things despite being married with a home of her own and no kids. She has never lost the magic of Christmas.

BestIsWest · 24/12/2018 12:45

Mine are 20 and 25 and still love it all. Our traditions have evolved as they’ve got older. They’ve just peeled the sprouts and spuds for me.

I keep thinking this might be the last year they’ll both be home as they’ve got their own DPs so I’m appreciating it all the more this year.