to want DS to stay at my house for once on Xmas eve for once

[cantthinkofadadsname]

This will be the 3rd Christmas Eve I have not been in the house with DS. He wants to stay in "his bed" in "his house" on Christmas Eve. I've always supported that and not got involved as my ex enjoys doing all the special stuff in the evening and I've never been wanted in the evening.

We do spend Christmas together and share a meal. But it's crap missing out on the evening and the excitement of the wake up in the morning.

I've now got my own house and DS does have his own room. He stays twice a week. But his mum's house is still home.

I do understand why he wants to stay with my ex. Think he's a bit worried about Santa (he's 7). It's still very very hard not being there.

I'm separated from dds dad - I left him when she was 6 months old, she is now 9 years old.

We alternate Christmas and I have been told by a solicitor that if you have parental responsibity and regular contact (which you do) then every other Christmas and half the holidays is pretty standard.

The way we deal with it is that we have Santa visit at both houses. Basically he knows children of separated parents get worried he won't visit so he visits twice.... if traditions are very different it could be elves and then Santa.

We have one week over Christmas each. When dd was little we took turns, one of us having Christmas eve and day and the other boxing day.

I think the difficulty is persuading your dc that Christmas with you will be just as nice as being at home... for our dd it's just normal to do what we do.

Maybe just try for next year? Tell ex p rather than ask? You have every right to. Especially as dc has his own room with you etc.

It's always going to be hard in these situations. I am currently home alone as DC is with at his family it is hard for everyone involved and I know DC would rather be here in reality.

I suppose I'm quite PFB about my DC too but I had to concede this. V sad about it. Feel like putting out mince pie for Santa anyway but know its pointless