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Original poster

3 yr old hates Christmas??

37 replies

alex1889 · 25/12/2020 09:27

My just turned 3 year old is just not having any of it this morning.

We tried to get her really excited for Santa and this morning showed her all the presents left under the tree for her. She started crying and said "no Christmas! No presents!" And ran away! So fine, we left it, had breakfast and then tried again. She is throwing the presents around, refusing to unwrap them, when I unwrap them for her she just throws the present on the ground.

I've ended up in tears over it and am in the bedroom crying.

Has anyone else's little one behaved like this on Christmas morning? What can I do?

OP posts:
Treeerex · 25/12/2020 09:30

She's probably just overwhelmed by it all. It's a big thing for kids. Just leave her be and leave the presents. Pop a film on or something. Let her come to them when she's ready.

Stop putting so much pressure on yourself as well for it all to be perfect.

PoinsiettaStillHasLeaves · 25/12/2020 09:33

I agree. It can be very overwhelming.

Don't worry about the presents for now. Just carry on as normal and wait for her to acclimatise.

cautiouscovidity · 25/12/2020 09:35

It's very overwhelming for young children, especially if there are lots of presents. Put them out of the way except one or two and bring them out slowly over the next few days. It makes Christmas last a lot longer too x

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ElfIsAnAss · 25/12/2020 09:35

My DD when she was 4yo hid behind the armchair and refused to open her presents. I ended up having to open a few things I knew she'd like. Took her 2 days to open everything.

Seeline · 25/12/2020 09:38

She probably doesn't have any memory of previous Christmases. Everyone has been going on about it, and she doesn't really know what to expect, and it's all got a bit much. Just leave her be - she'll come round.

ErrolTheDragon · 25/12/2020 09:38

Thanks too much pressure all round. Have a brew, try to relax. If the weather is nice enough maybe see if she wants to go outside?

KihoBebiluPute · 25/12/2020 09:42

Kids that age are happier with routine and predictability. Surprises and changes and new things can be scary. Do a few normal things like a walk to your nearest park, and don't worry about the presents. Remember that there are 12 days of Christmas so it's ok to get to the end of today with some things still under the tree.

AnaisNun · 25/12/2020 09:48

Leave the gifts under the tree. She’ll go to them when she’s ready. There’s no rule that gifts have to be opened in the morning, in one go, or whatever. My 4 yo has opened his gifts, but he’s now snuggled on the sofa with me watching Paddington, because he said he needed “some quiet time”- his way of letting me know he’s overwhelmed. Which is100% understandable.

Have a cup of coffee and put your feet up for half an hour to call down. See how things are then, and go from there - however suits all of you best Flowers

MerlotChiantiMontepulicano · 25/12/2020 09:51

My 4 year old DS, who has enjoyed the morning so far, has just had a little cry and we've sat quietly for a bit. It's a lot for them. In previous years he wouldn't open anything, just didn't seem interested.

itsgettingweird · 25/12/2020 09:51

Agree with just leaving them. Let her initiate the opening when she can feel less overwhelmed.

It'll happen quicker if she's left to her own devices and without coaxing in between.

Put in my Christmas peppa pig or whatever she likes. Give her a drink and snack and cuddle in sofa.

Perhaps in a hour if you have a DH/DP there you could give each other a gift to open and ignore her and show her what happens? But still let her join in in her own time.

Sirzy · 25/12/2020 09:53

Exactly what everyone else has said.

Don’t mention the presents. Leave it to her, get out a few old faithful toys.

It doesn’t matter if she opens them in a minute or a week just let her enjoy them her way.

Have a lovely day

Mrsjayy · 25/12/2020 09:54

My DD was always like this overwhelmed and hated fuss nearly 30 and she is still the same. I think you need to just let your DD come too it her own way be calm dont fuss about Santa's been. Open up any presents you have and let her watch

JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 25/12/2020 09:56

My DD wasn't interested in Christmas until around 9. She never got up early and one year didn't open anything until 2.30pm. I was baffled with it, but just enjoyed the Christmas morning lie-in.

OddestSock · 25/12/2020 10:00

It'll be a story you tell her every Christmas when she's older! Reminding her of that year she hated christmas.

Try not to put too much pressure on yourself, it's ok to take it slow and not do everything at once :) xx

mnahmnah · 25/12/2020 10:01

My 3 yo has opened things and said ‘I didn’t want this’ or ‘I don’t like this’! Then eventually played with them. I agree it’s just overwhelming.

Littleyell · 25/12/2020 10:07

Leave the presents on the floor OP. You probably have been fussing....

Once my DS was similar age guests came to drop presents off DS was pleased for a few seconds then ran off and refused to open anything... another time he didn’t even notice presents under the tree.

Leave her OP she may be tired. Don’t feel bad!

Iminaglasscaseofemotion · 25/12/2020 10:17

Its a lot for them to take in sometimes bit I wouldn't be allowing her to throw presents around no matter how upset or overwhelmed she is.

Original poster
alex1889 · 25/12/2020 10:23

Thanks for the reassurance everyone. We stuck the TV on then later opened a toy we knew she'd love (a rocking cradle for her dolls) and then she softened up a a bit and got in to it.

What a stress!

OP posts:
Popskipiekin · 25/12/2020 10:32

I think 3 can be still too young to “get” Christmas. Certainly no 3 year old is going to exhibit the expected behaviour in any social situation! We have a 6 and 4, and the 6 year old loves Christmas but the 4 year old can still be quite strange... don’t push it, normal day with festive trimmings, do what makes you and then other adult(s) happy.

Littleyell · 25/12/2020 11:01

@Iminaglasscaseofemotion

Its a lot for them to take in sometimes bit I wouldn't be allowing her to throw presents around no matter how upset or overwhelmed she is.
OPs DD said no. OP then continued to persist.... (for her own benefit). The child said no and ran off!! It’s no bloody wonder she threw the presents!
parrotonmyshoulder · 25/12/2020 11:09

Mine was a lot like this. We still do it all very low key now she’s 11. She hates all the face timing and performing that extended family would like her to do and that her cousins are happy with, so I don’t insist on that.
At 3 -8 she needed to be told what each present was before she opened it.
DS is more of the ‘lunatic excited ball of energy’ type so we have to balance the day!

Bin85 · 25/12/2020 11:11

Just do normal everyday stuff.
My sister had an asthma attack I think through being overwhelmed one year. No one was allowed to open any more presents until next day x

MessAllOver · 25/12/2020 11:16

We've opened 2 presents so far and now watx. DS has a stack of around 25 at least since grandparents, aunties, uncles have been very generous this year.

He's ignoring the rest (we gave him the coveted Paw Patrol presents first so nothing else is getting a look in Grin). We've warned family that they may have to wait a few days for their presents to be properly appreciated.

Just crack on with your Christmas and let the LO decide if she wants to join in.

MessAllOver · 25/12/2020 11:17

watx watching cartoons.

MaryLeeOnHigh · 25/12/2020 11:29

Got to admit, "trying" to get a child excited sounds like the definition of insanity.

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