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Original poster

Have you lost the enthusiasm for stuff like bonfire night as your DC have reached their teens?

74 replies

Dragonfire282 · 05/11/2021 21:12

DS is 13, I've always made an effort with Easter, halloween, bonfire night etc however he's rapidly losing interest. We did pumpkins this year but he didn't want to go to a field. He's going to a fireworks display tomorrow with his friends family but he's not particularly enthusiastic about it. As his enthusiasm is waning I feel like mine is too. Is this the norm or do families still make an effort with all these things as the kids hit their teens?

OP posts:
Hoolihan · 05/11/2021 22:05

We don't do elf or anything either, but in our house (and when I was a child) Father Christmas brings the stocking whilst the presents under the tree are from family and friends, so it's the stocking that is the magic bit really. I realise I'm probably a bit too into the stockings. 🤣 I just remember it so vividly as a child, waking up with it heavy by my feet and hearing the crackling of the paper. The epitome of Christmas.

Having said that it is a lot more complicated now they won't go to fucking sleep. Last year I gave up waiting and just went and plonked it on the end of my 14yo's bed while he was still awake.

Stopsnowing · 05/11/2021 22:15

I fell the same but I have a year 5 and a year 9. Not fair in the year 5 for me to give up all the traditions but also not great dragging a moody teen there either

Riverlee · 05/11/2021 22:16

“ Having said that it is a lot more complicated now they won't go to fucking sleep. Last year I gave up waiting and just went and plonked it on the end of my 14yo's bed while he was still awake.”

Our stockings are downstairs. Solves that problem. Talking of which, must start buying bots and pieces for it (age 22 and 19 at Christmas)

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AliceAldridge · 05/11/2021 22:19

FC brings the stockings here too. He doesn't get the credit for the rest of my Christmas shopping!

I remember how magical the stocking was too. I used to leave out a school sock!

Sparklingbrook · 05/11/2021 22:20

I wouldn't know what to put in a stocking. Is it a tangerine and a walnut and a lump of coal?

AliceAldridge · 05/11/2021 22:23

Always an orange or an apple! And a few other small bits.

My great grandfather used to get a tangerine and a penny.

I only like them because my DM did them. Traditions are different in all families. We don't have a Sunday roast... Shock

dancinfeet · 05/11/2021 22:28

Mine are late teen and adult and I don’t miss doing Halloween, Easter etc. Will do Christmas stockings still. Eldest DD is working away for the first time until late Christmas Eve and has to leave early Boxing Day so it will be strange not having her around for Christmas build up and the days after Christmas and new year x

Hoolihan · 05/11/2021 22:31

Small toys, books, gloves, chocolate, pens, smellies etc. It's definitely harder now they're older and also everything is digital so you can't buy cds/dvds/games anymore! But they'll have to pry these stockings from my cold dead hands.

Hotelhelp · 05/11/2021 22:34

I was thinking this tonight when we were at a display. My children are both around the 10 mark now and even now I look back and think did we do enough of these things with them while they were interested? I hope we did but I’m sure we could have done more! Hindsight is a wonderful thing though.

They loved the fireworks so hopefully at least another year or two there but eg Halloween - will they be interested next year?

I’m dreading mine being older at Christmas and not believing etc. I recall my own mother being quite blue around Christmas as I got older and I think a lot of it was to do with it just not being the same and she struggled with that.

As others are saying though it’s good to also see it as a new chapter and it allows for a different relationship with the children too.

Sparklingbrook · 05/11/2021 22:34

Traditions are different in all families. We don't have a Sunday roast...

We don't have Sunday roasts or Christmas dinner. Shock

Hoolihan · 05/11/2021 22:41

NO CHRISTMAS DINNER?!

StillMedusa · 05/11/2021 22:50

I don't miss standing out in the cold worrying which kid will try and hold the hot end of a sparkler!!!
And... drum roll... this is THE year of no more stockings! My four are aged between 24 and 29 and I have done stockings for them (and three of them have partners so them too) forever, but I always said it would stop when the first grandchild was born...
Hallelujah, he's here!

I loved doing them, but the stress of getting lovely little gifts (that were not cheap) started getting to me. Now I can just start again with the grandchild :)

TSSDNCOP · 05/11/2021 22:51

In sitting in my garden watching everyone else's 💥

Sparklingbrook · 05/11/2021 22:52

@Hoolihan

NO CHRISTMAS DINNER?!
Sorry!

Nobody in the house is that fussed. We just have a buffet that runs all day. No deadlines no stopping doing anything, just help yourself and visitors can come at any time they like. Makes for a relaxing day for everyone.

YoungGiftedPlump · 05/11/2021 22:56

13- 3 years until they are getting drunk on cheap booze with mates at the bonfire.

RoseMartha · 05/11/2021 22:59

Interesting you posted this. Usually I take my dc's on a walk looking at fireworks. This year they didnt even look up from their phones when there was loud banging etc. I asked if they wanted to go out, they said no. I was relieved tbh. My parents never bothered with fireworks when I was a child and apart from going to a couple of displays to be sociable when I was late teens, it doesn't bother me not to go to an event or buy some either.
We all are happier staying in.

Nearlytheretrees · 05/11/2021 23:00

I offered to take DD 14 to a local display and was secretly pleased when she wasn't bothered and wanted to stay home

Taswama · 05/11/2021 23:00

Interesting question.
Went to fireworks at local primary school this evening. I've seen them there every year for 15 years (except last year). Youngest DC left in July.
I enjoyed them and dc did too, but I wondered how much longer we will keep going and supporting one of their biggest fundraisers or will decide to go to a bigger event.
I do love fireworks though so can't imagine not going at all.

SunLovingMummy · 06/11/2021 07:46

Yes, as well as Halloween and other celebrations. Used to go all out for these types of events, host parties too. Sadly no more.

FrancescaContini · 06/11/2021 07:48

Yes, definitely! Was very glad to stay warm on the sofa last night.

Invasionofthegutsnatchers · 06/11/2021 07:54

I have to say I was relieved when DD10 said she'd rather stay in and keep an eye on the pets than stand about getting cold waiting for fireworks. Ds8 was shattered after a busy week at school and just wanted to chill on the sofa. DH not fussed so win for me

In fact we've only had 2 successful years watching them. Before that either one or both children were terrified of them, or it was pissing down or someone was ill so we didn't go.

I'm not too fussed about seasonal events but I reach year R so get to have my fun with them and see their excitement ☺

Invasionofthegutsnatchers · 06/11/2021 07:54

Teach not reach Blush

GoodnightGrandma · 06/11/2021 07:56

Oh god no, be glad it’s over !
I don’t have the stamina or patience for all that now !

lilyfire · 06/11/2021 07:56

My eldest is 18 and having refused fireworks for the last 3 or so years said he wanted to come with us again to the local display. I was very happy.

Noeuf · 06/11/2021 07:59

Thing evolve , it’s better to adapt and just go with the flow. Mine haven’t done a display for years - too small/too tired/too cold/too ‘need a wee’ and then this year suddenly they all want to go. Christmas has evolved as well - we do secret Santa as a bit of fun at 11 (still do stockings and we give them presents) and we try to book a show for Boxing Day. Dh goes to a sports thing with one of them. We’ve introduced new things to replace the old but inevitably less time together (thank his, I need my space back after putting in a very long parenting shift).