Anyone else going to be alone for the 5 days of Christmas?

[JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn]

Just realised that I'm not going to be in anyone's choice of 3 households over Christmas. I understand why but it doesn't make it any easier. Christmas is always a challenge when you don't have family. The rules this year mean that instead of one day, it's going to be five home alone with DD. It's going to be tough! Anyone else in the same boat?

Same as any other long weekend with DS but with more toys and better TV.

Well you're obviously not going to be alone.

No one I know is sticking to the bubbles thing, so the only people who will actually be alone will be alone by choice.

Where would you usually go OP?

You're not going to be alone - you have DD! There are plenty of people who will be actually alone.

Has anyone give you the cliche advice about volunteering in homeless shelters?

How old is your DD and are there things you both enjoy doing together?

Ha ha @SnuggyBuggy that advice always comes from a person who will be at home with a massive family.

You can meet whoever you like for outdoor walks etc depending on your local rules. If your DD has a good friend you could pop round and chat in the garden or wave at the window etc.

Shops etc will be trading per your local rules too, in Scotland we're open.

Who would you usually spend those five days with?

Being 'alone' with your DD is not really being alone is it? .

Surely you can go for walks, park, watch films, play games, cook meals, Zoom with friends etc etc. Depending on whether you are prepared to go shopping - shops will be open so you can mooch around the shops, have a coffee & cake out - if rules permit. (I know because I work in retail & will just have two days off - not that I am complaining ).

I know what you mean OP, I’m a single parent too and as much as I love snuggling up with my kids the 3 household rule does make you think. But try not to focus on that, it’s just another one of Boris’s (Boris’/es ?!) daft ideas and plan something nice with DD. Walks to park, baking, crafts, movies, pj parties etc.

I'll be alone on Christmas day. DS is going to his dad's and I'm single. I'd normally go to my mum's but my grandad is going there and I really don't want to risk passing Covid onto him - isolating is not an option as I can't work from home and I'm working until the 23rd. No one else has invited me over, which I'm fine with. It's one year.

I met my sister in Starbucks the other day and had a gingerbread latte. All within the rules, no bubble needed! My teeth still hurt, mind.

Some harsh responses here. I would be upset by this too. How old is your DD? I'm going to be "alone" on christmas day with 1 year old DS. He's not exactly a conversationalist so yes, it feels like I'll be alone. I'm not bothered, but I'm fortunate enough that I'll see people on christmas eve and boxing day, so I don't mind.

Try and get out of the house for a walk if you can. Is DD getting any outdoor related presents (bike or scooter?) If so make the most of it! You'll see people outdoors and my experience of christmas day walks is that everyone you come across says hello and Happy Christmas. It will make you feel more a part of things.

Get some good snacks, particularly for when DD is in bed. Go old school and get a copy of the christmas radio Times and figure out what you want to watch.

For half of it when DS goes to his dad's, yeah. Oh well.

I get you OP, I’m int be same boat, you’ll have your child but actually that doesn’t make you not feel alone, it doesn’t help with the Christmas adverts and films always large happy families coming together, chin chin the glasses rollucks, Christmas is a difficult time for people.

Ignoring the bitchy face emoji from Ragwort the rest of the advice on there is good, go for walks, watch TV and play games. Or do the opposite, don’t get dressed and do what you want.

Christmas is tough time for lots of people and many forget that.

I don't actually celebrate it, but I will be on here. Last year I did a 'people who are alone but don't want to be' thread.

I'm going to reopen the 'happyplace cafe' after a lovely PM.

I know it's not the same as interacting with real prople but at least in a virtual cafe you can mix freely.

Usually ten of us, or more. Just me this year. Don’t mind too much. I’m having an operation a couple of days before so I’ll probably be sore and uncomfortable anyway.

Love all the suggestions to go for a fucking walk. I bet you've not done that once in the past 8 months, eh, @JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn (and your username has given me an instant earworm)

You're not alone? You're with your daughter. That is not the same at all.

All the people saying ‘you won’t be alone because you have a child’ - do you live in a parallel universe??
Unless that child is an independent teen/young adult with their own ideas and ability to converse then you are very much alone.
Quite often a young child actually compounds the feelings of loneliness because you can’t even distract yourself by staying on the sofa all day watching Netflix and eating junk food...or read a book uninterrupted, or have meaningful FaceTime chats without someone grabbing the iPad etc.

Sorry OP, being alone with a young child sucks when it feels like everyone else has someone to be with. Make the best of it that you can and line up some treats whether that’s food or films or new loungewear. And get some time in the evenings when dc is asleep to have some wind down time too.

I understand what you mean op. It is going to be a sucky Christmas for lots of people.

Try and make the best of it. A new board game, a film and a story book a day, Plan it all out, lots of delicious food, nice winter walks, new books. Maybe take up a jigsaw. Learn knitting or crochet with your dd. Do a project together.

I hope that you have a cosy Christmas together.

And that being alone isn't great for the child who is probably of an age to start appreciating Christmas but won't get to spend it with grandparents or cousins or whatever. And I know there are adults and children who will have it harder at Christmas but it's not a bloody competition.

My advice would be to stick to sleep routines as much as possible. Minimise stress and eat simply but luxuriously (get the pre made everything!). Don't get drunk, but do have a cry if you need to. Drop the Mum guilt, pick up the phone/ social media for support but avoid instagram/ Facebook friends and the advert- worthy family photos. Find a good book or tv series, I like to get stuck into something non Christmassy on bad years, so that the moment then festivities are over I can be back watching vampires or zombies or whatever.

OP

Regarding the going for a walk, are you linked to a local facebook group? If you are going for a walk you could arrange for a group to meet up.

Otherwise I think spending time alone when you don't want to is about making it your time, to do exactly what you want (within limits of being with a child) Wat is your favorite food? It doesn't matter if it is shepherd's pie or a take away, don't bother trying to recreate a turkey dinner just have exactly what you want.

Find five things you don't normally have time to do, it could be a craft, a film you want to see, a cake you have never had the time to make.

Plan each day in terms of food, drink, TV, activities.

At least one day dress up and have a candlelit dinner. Another make a play list and get some flashing lights and have a proper old fashioned disco, another watch something on a chanel you wouldn't normally ever watch, I discovered 'Carmen' doing this, and that was the days of 4 channels.

How old is you dd? Id she is old enough then she can pic things for one day.

Do a wine or gin tasting - you can get small bottles, or if you don't drink a tea tasting.

Buy 5things for yourself from amazon but don't open them, wait for your 5 days and open one a day.

You can never recreate a family Xmas on your own but you can have fun.

@Illstartexercisingtomorrow 👏 perfectly put!

Ruling out any last minute health probs, I hoping to see my Dad over Xmas. Otherwise it'll be me & the cat.