The stress and pressure of Christmas

[partytimed]

I’ve woken up using a panic attack and I’m trying to break down why. I honestly think it’s a combination of multiple factors but one key one being the stress and pressure of Christmas and school holidays. I was wondering if anyone would keep me company in this thought.

My daughter (6) is off school for a month for Christmas and we have a one year old. We do all the usual build up things plus hosting for the best part of a week over Christmas and to be honest I’m realising it’s all too much. The shopping, planning, wrapping, cleaning, cooking - and then creating local memories on top of that. It’s not any kind of holiday for me it’s a month long marathon. DH helps a lot with the children but all the Christmas prep is on me as he’s working full time and I’m at the end of maternity leave.

just having a vent really and wondering if anyone can relate?

That does sound stressful. Do you have to host...?

Keep it as minimal as possible next year and ask guests for help if you need to. Hopefully you can get presents out of the way in November (good hiding place from the 6 year old!). Foil trays are easily disposed of, it's only one day's waste. Do you do the whole shebang? Praps red cabbage in November and freeze etc

We are similar to you, we have three kids aged 12, 10 and 4. No family locally and it has been hectic. 12 year old and 4 year old started secondary and primary schools whilst 10 year old had a bother with a bully friend at school. Throw in sickness since October and losing childcare in December. The icing on top of our already wobbling cake was me being involved in a car accident. Thankfully no injuries, could have potentially been worse. Then Christmas prep, etc. I put on a brave face for the kids but told DH I’d rather it was a different day. One major difference from you is that we do not host. DH sister comes the odd year but that’s it. I barely have enough time for us, I can’t host or grace anyone’s house at Christmas. I remind myself to take it easy and not stress. So yes I can relate. Hope it gets better for you and happy new year 🥳

Do you need to host for as long/ at all next year?
A month is a long time to be off school! Could she do a holiday club for a week of it?