What would you do here- Christmas situation

[YouKilledKenny]

Name changed for this.

I have a 8 year old DS. I am not with his dad and haven’t been for about 5 years. We take it in turns having him for Christmas Day and it’s worked well. We live 2 hours apart but we make the effort and he sees his dad regularly, has a good relationship with his dad and half siblings. So Christmas Day can’t be split due to the distance. This year he is due to be with his dad.

I have recently changed careers for several
Reasons (better money and more family friendly
Hours) which is working out great except now I don’t have any time off at Christmas. In my previous role we finished Christmas Eve and went back the day after New Year’s Day.

Due to the nature of the job we are not allowed to
Book any time in Christmas week (NHS) which is fair enough. I am off Christmas Day and Boxing Day then New Year’s Day and the 2nd. So far so good. But I’m struggling to know what to do with DS. My parents are going away for 3 nights 27th-30th and as ds wil be off school I’m struggling for child care so his dad has said he can go to stay there for a few days but come home for new year. But that would mean poor ds is sat in the car going back and forward. The current plan is:

Ds go to his dads 23rd, come back Boxing Day morning, go back to his dads 27th come home 30th be at home until 8th jan.

His dad has suggested due to the back and forth ds stays his 23rd-29th. Then he’d be home for a good chunk of time. But due to me working when he came
Home on the 29th I won’t see him till 5.30ish so seems a bit later to do presents. (He still believes in Santa and knows Santa comes to mine and his dads house).

I have asked his dad if he can be with me for Christmas but his dad has flat out said no which I get but it would be SO much easier if he was at home for Christmas then went to his dads Boxing Day.

I’m trying to find a solution where we can do Christmas and have thag special day but making it as easy for ds as possible. Does anyone have any suggestions

And please no critical comments about the situation, it’s not ideal at al but it is what it is and we’ve got to make it work. DS is happy and loved and he’ll have an amazing Christmas no matter what but I’m feeling so guilty that I’ve started this new job and ruined what’s always been a seemless Christmas period

Ps I’m
Currently pregnant so don’t have any other kids to worry about right now, next year I’ll be on Maternity but ds will be with me

I honestly don’t think a few two hour trips will be that bad for him so I’d stick with the current plan.

Agreed. Stick with the plan and use the time in the car to chat.

Current plan sounds fine.

Stick with the plan. A few hours in the car will be good down time in the middle of all the excitement.

If you don’t want DS to have to travel, what about going to ex’s city for Boxing Day. Book a hotel and do Christmas there with DS.

I'm struggling to see the issue with an 8 year old having a 2 hour car journey to go to his DDad's.

I'd say stick with the plan. I agree a bit of travel won't hurt, and I've got to say, if my ex decided to get a new job then expected me to sort out any problems arising from it, I might feel a little irritated. If the job's working out really well otherwise, I think them's the breaks.

Ok thanks everyone! I’ll just stick with the plan