If you are waking up this morning and your children are with their other parent

[Rowenaravenclawsdiadem]

It sucks doesn’t it?

I won’t get to see mine until this afternoon. It’s been 9 years of sharing Christmases and it is still shitty.

It really does suck. This is my first Christmas Day without my DC and I won't see them until tomorrow. I've had them the last two years.

Luckily, I have BF to keep my mind off it and we're off to my DPs for dinner. Well have a second Christmas Day tomorrow when my DCs are back.

I've just waved my little boy off. Held back the tears. It's harder this year.

Yep I'm with you. 10 yo DD is at her dads until the 28th. She FaceTimed me last night from the party they were having (her father and his family are South American and celebrate on the 24th) which was lovely but I so desperately wish she was at home. This is year 7 of doing alternate christmas/NY.

In the same boat here. Don't get them back till the 28th. Although I don't feel sad because we opened the presents and played with all the toys before they went so I feel like I already had my christmas

Me and exh alternate Christmas with DS. It's his turn this year. He comes back home tomorrow.

I try and see the bright side and think well I can have as much as I want to drink today. Still not the same though!

We're having an unprotected lie-in - no alarm!!! But we get them both back about five so christmas will start then x

I know how you all feel if you share your children at Christmas time. My children are young adults now so I'm out the other side so to speak, but to me it's all about making new memories and new traditions and families being together which can be done anytime over the holidays. My family all got together at the weekend now the kids are free to see partners families over the next couple of days and it just takes the stress out of it all. X

Thank you grey and stealth
She's 17.
I told her I was fine with her not being here, I offered to drive a two hour round trip for her, but she was adamant she'd be here until last night which is what hurts.
She went out on Saturday and said she'd be home that night, nope, she's still there, no idea when she's coming home.
It's not the first time she's pulled a stunt like this, but I never thought she'd do it at Christmas.
A friend has invited me to hers but I'm honestly not in the mood.

I have the older two here. The two youngest are with their dad. They come back at the weekend and we'll do it all again with dp's kids on NYE.

It's been quite a few years and it still hurts. But at least I don't have to live with the ex any more. There's always a silver lining!

Cheers to us ladies we are all awesome and brave and strong 💪

Me too, DD at her dads, not sure what time she'll be here. I miss the Christmas Eve excitement and seeing her face in the morning.
I'm on my own so I've had a lie in and cup of tea. At least I get her for the rest of the day, last year I dropped her off at midday and then felt totally depressed.
My DB invited me to his IL's yesterday, but it just makes me feel worse as they are such a perfect family, it makes me feel like a failure.
Most of the time I can deal with our 50/50 split, but Christmas is so hard.

My friend just phoned, sang jingle bells and let me rant.
I feel much better now, going to catch up with soaps and then be kind to Ddvwhatever day she's home and tell her she can bring her bf.

And one day in a decade or so she will look back and appreciate what a fantastic mum she has

Oh, you are so lovely SPD
I've since spoken to Dd, she's struggling and wants to be at home with her Mum.
I'll try not to say 'I told you so'.

My DD (5) is away until Saturday. I've cried 3 times today had a lovely day planned with new DP and his family but just haven't been in the mood. It sucks.

@Punto1

DD in a different country. I'm alone for the day. I don't have a tree. I don't have any decorations. I'm feeling ill. I'll have no Christmas dinner. Just some frozen everyday stuff. I'm skint. The build up to today was worse. Now that it's here, it's just another Tuesday with the shops shut, with pain to take my mind off things. I Like reading about the other excited families with their kids getting up now to the magic of Santa. Mine is a teenager now, so still in bed. Nobody awake yet. She could sleep for the country. I actually can't wait for it to be over. Must remind my mother to send me a video of the present opening.

Why didn’t you do anything for the teenager that is with you? Seriously.

What’s the motivation for getting out of bed when your own mother as done bugger all to mark the occasion.

Isn't it the teenager that is in another country, Kiki? She's still asleep elsewhere so the OP is hoping her mother will video the present opening when it finally happens teens

The first one is always the worst. This year it’s my turn to have them, then they’re away for New Years. I know it’s a bit late now, but if you have lovely friends inviting you, then accept; because it will be different (and of course you’ll still miss them) but it can be lovely in a different way.

I have DS this year and last year was only the first time without him. He’s 15. It wasn’t too bad. Probably because he’s older and we have all the build up and then when it’s not our Christmas we have new year 👍

Ah yes
Looks like daughter with poster’s mother in another country

It’s horrible

Won’t see ds until next week and my heart aches for him I am uttterly miserable:( he is 10