To think that Christmas can be lovely and horrible all at the same time?

[mummyonthemove]

I have been looking forward to today as it was just the four of us. No stressful relatives! Me, DH and 2 DSs, aged 4 and 23 months.

There were parts of today that were totally lovely. My 4 year old coming into our room and being so excited that Father Christmas had been. I feel very blessed to have a lovely healthy family but there were parts of today that were so stressful.

My 4 yr old DS had a total meltdown and sobbed under the dining room table because he was overwhelmed. The 23 month old, who is teething, was quite grumpy and he and his brother refused to eat most of their Christmas dinner. They both kept arguing over the new toys and I was so glad when they went to bed.

Sorry, rant over!

Just wondered whether anyone else had such a mixed day?

Lovely day with family but a massive dad shaped hole in the day

Lovely day followed by huge row over a board game.

I'm sorry Peanuts.

It's all quite stressful isn't it? This morning was lovely with the Christmas stockings but then it was all a mad rush from one set of family to the next. DS aged 2 cried a lot because he wanted to stay home and play with his toys. I was cross because I had wanted to stay home but my DH vetoed it back in November and said we had to go to mil. Then DS was overwhelmed and exhausted by about 2pm. I was also glad when he went to bed and I can hardly see my carpet for toys and wrapping paper. And we get to do it all again tomorrow!

After a stressful lead up to Christmas I was hoping for a quiet evening at least and wish I could be in charge of the remote sometime before bed..... eastenders is drivel and I have no say atm

Sorry to hear that Peanuts Puts things in perspective!

Lovely day at home with family coming to see us, however...DD1 & 2 are both downstairs howling with tiredness, the howling gets worse when DP attempts to get them to bed which is counter productive so we are waiting it out.

My evening of constant bfing DD3 while snuggled under my new gorgeous blanket from MIL would be lovely if the sodding bigger children would only go to sleep!

We tried really hard to make this Christmas as quiet and chilled as humanly possible...however the draw of the newborn means we have been a bit swamped by (lovely, but too many for the DDs!) visitors.

in some ways we have had a lovely day, dd's spread out present opening throughout the day, and were just so happy. but ds is really ill (ambulanced to hospital last night), they let him home, but we have spent all day watching and worrying whether he should go back in, and now dh and i are going to take turns sitting up with him.

Dad size hole here too. DC3 tearful, but says he does not want to talk about dad in case he upsets me. I feel shit.

Mum sized hole here. Currently failing to go to sleep at the in-laws and feeling miserable.

My husband misses his dad

My family and in laws were lovely with my baby

We have tried our very best to make a lovely day for DD2 and DD3 but there is a huge DD1 shaped hole in our family.

Oh tiny I am so sorry.

OP are you me?? Overwhelmed DS1 (4) had a meltdown over something so minor that I have already forgotten it, DS2 (12months) teething, scarlet-faced, stuck to my hip all afternoon and evening-except when he went off for a stealth poo on the bathroom floor...

Still a lovely day though-I'm abroad and had a long skype with my family in the UK, found out I am going to be an auntie soon, enjoyed a magical Christmas surprise last night (gifts on our doorstep with no idea who from), I do love Christmas, but I'm not sad when it is all over!

Yep.

Lovely day all in all, dd age 3 a bit off colour all day, went to bed at 3.15pm is scorching hot to touch but thermometers giving an average of just under 37, that's in ear and forehead. And she puked when I tried giving her medicine.

And this evening conversation with the pils about "poor sil" --my arse, well of, pregnant, nice house fuck easy life-- had me sobbing in the bathroom as I just had a MMC, I miss my grandma and my brother and lifes unfair!

But my kids are great and so is dp sometimes

I enjoyed lovely morning with my husband and our 6 and 2yr olds then it all got bit busy with visitors etc and I feel the whole day has involved me on my feet not getting time with my babes as I have been in kitchen for most of it :( fell asleep on settee about seven once everyone had gone then we put kids to bed and now I feel it's all a load of hype and wish we could just be on our own but everyone loves to see our kids so we just get descended upon!

Just wanted to say thank you for all the reponses and felt I had to reply especially to those of you missing loved ones this Christmas. I hope that the new year brings you lots of joy and that the pain gets a little more bearable. Thinking of you all and thanking you for making me count my blessings. Life can be crappy and unfair but I hope the joyful moments keep you moving forward.

That's good mummy not taking anything away from you but what you describe is a bit of an annoyance rather than the sadness others are experiencing from missing loved ones.

I don't think mummy was expecting those sort of replies TBH. Some v sad posts.

You're very gracious mummy.
Lovely post.