Can't be arsed with Christmas this year

[Mrmontgomeryburns]

This is not a Christmas haters thread. Usually I love Christmas. I decorate in early December, I do the whole house, we do loads of festive activities. I just can't be arsed with it this year. I have a 16 week old EBF baby who won't be put down and I'm just so tired and touched out. My 8 year old is so excited and I just can't muster up any Christmas spirit. I haven't even booked any Christmas activities. Feeling all the mum guilt right now.

Surely they'll be doing something chrismassy at school? Don't worry too much. Stick on a Christmas film and let them make some paper chains or something.

Let the child decorate the tree. Hell, let the child decorate everything. It won't be the most elegant or tasteful of decor but they'll love it, it'll become a great memory and you'll be so sleep deprived that you won't notice anyway.

Can you delegate Christmas to the kids dad?

You need to make some sort of effort for your 8 year old. Can her dad take her to a christmas activity? Or Grandma?

Why do you have to be the bringer of all things Christmas this year? Just ask your partner to do it.

Well if you decorate the whole house and arrange loads of festive activities I’m not surprised you’ve developed an aversion to it all.

Isn't there someone you could ask to help? Be rubbish for the eight year old to just not bother at all. Don't waste time feeling guilty, rope in a helper and promise to return the favour another time. There will still be Christmas themed activities available for a while.

If you suspect you might have PND, get thee to the GP and look after yourself

You’ve got plenty of time yet , don’t spoil Christmas for your older child .

It doesn’t have to be all singing all dancing. Could someone help put up a simple tree, a few decorations.

Advent calendar.

Home bargains etc for a few Christmas crafts - at 8 she should manage with very little help. Alternatively paper snowflakes.

Watch a Christmas movie together as you feed the baby.

Hot chocolate and marshmallows.

Encourage her to make a cosy den.

School party/carol singing etc.

Guys, I'm obviously not going to ignore christmas, I simply mean I can't be bothered with it. Clearly my 8 year old is still going to get presents and watch christmas films and eat christmas food.

Obviously my 8 year old will still have an advent calendar and a Christmas tree. I simply meant I can't be bothered to go all out like I usually do, I do not have the energy.

I do not have PND just because I feel like a lower key christmas this year!!

It sounds like you are exhausted, OP. You can have some lovely, low-key magic: Christmas crafts, stories and movies, school events, etc. Your child will love whatever you do.

This is exactly what I meant, not I will ignore christmas altogether and give my 8 year old a lump of coal which some posters seem to have assumed.

I knew what you meant as soon as you said you had a 16-week-old EBF! Don't put too much pressure on yourself, or you will be well and truly wiped out by December 25th.

I remember the Christmas when I had a 3 year old and a 6 week old
We let him decorate the tree and make paper chains interspersed with Christmas themed videos( before streaming!)
He did lots at nursery and brought home decorations he'd made but the time passed in a blur for me!
I'm sure DD will do things at school, and will enjoy whatever comes
She will be excited just because it's Christmas
Do what you can manage, but don't stress about what you can't
Babies are exhausting, and Christmas is tiring without a baby