Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To go out without DS on Christmas Eve?

50 replies

RandallFloyd · 21/12/2013 16:39

DS is 2.4, doesn't not understand Christmas at all. He knows what presents are, and who Father Christmas is (although he scares the very bejesus out of him) and he sings jingle bells beautifully, but if I asked him who brings the presents he would look at me completely blank.

Basically Christmas Eve is going to be exactly the same to him as every other Wednesday, he certainly wouldn't understand the 'leave a mince pie for FC', 'hang your stocking' type stuff and would in no way understand that Father Christmas is coming tomorrow.

So anyway, my friends and I always go for a Chinese on Christmas Eve, have done for many years. It's one of my favourite Christmas things. This year I booked a place for DS too as it just didn't occur to me to leave him for the evening on Christmas Eve.

I'm now doubting myself. He won't eat anything off the menu, I know that for a fact, so I'm basically going to have to entertain him with smuggled in bread sticks and I'll have to leave early as it's not fair to expect him to sit at a table for a long drawn out Chinese banquet when he's not even eating any of it!

AIB really U to be considering going without him?

It really isn't going to be any fun for him so I'd almost decided not to go but now XDH has offered to babysit so I'm torn. I haven't spent a second (other than at work) away from DS for 6 weeks and although I'm really looking forward to the next few years of properly magical children's Christmases, I'm kind of veering towards making the most of my last un-childlike one for a long while.

I'm a terrible mother aren't I.

OP posts:
SantanaLopez · 21/12/2013 16:40

Absolutely not!

Go. Enjoy yourself. Maybe next year he will be super excited and you really can't bear to leave him.

BohemianGirl · 21/12/2013 16:40

Do your friends really want a 2.4yo out with them?

Motherhood doesnt have to be martyredom

squeakytoy · 21/12/2013 16:41

I cant see the problem.. he will be asleep and his dad will be looking after him..

HappyJustToBe · 21/12/2013 16:41

You really aren't terrible. Your DS will be with someone who loves him and you'll have a great time. It is a no brainer for me.

GodRestTEEMerryGenTEEmen · 21/12/2013 16:43

Go. Now. Do not look back. Xmas Grin

RandallFloyd · 21/12/2013 16:45

Phew! I was waiting for the pitch forks tbh Grin

I think it's the 'but it's Christmas Eve' bit that is getting me. I'm expecting everyone to be properly judgemental and 'how could you' about it.

I know DS won't care. I know XDH doesn't mind. I also know that I'm still going to wake up with him on Christmas morning because XDH comes here to babysit so it's not like I'm sending him away anywhere.

It's the 'mum out on Christmas Eve without her child' business.

OP posts:
BanjoPlayingTiger · 21/12/2013 16:46

So you'll be out having fun and your ds will be doing something he would rather be doing with someone who loves him.

I can't see the problem there.

Now go! Enjoy the festivities! Xmas Smile

GoldenGytha · 21/12/2013 16:47

Just go and enjoy yourself!

Your DS will be fine with his dad, and you'll have a great evening,

Like someone said, maybe next year he'll be super excited and you won't want to leave him, but for this year have a great night with your friends.

SoonToBeSix · 21/12/2013 16:50

Definitely go it wouldn't be practical to take a two year old for a Chinese banquet in the evening and he will be with his other parent.
Have a good time you won't get away with it next year when he understands Smile

Chopsypie · 21/12/2013 16:51

It's Christmas for you to! Do it!

DoYouLikeMyBaubles · 21/12/2013 16:51

Go go go!

And you'll ALL have a better time without him being there (sorry to say) because you'll be able to let your hair down properly Grin

Go, have fun, relax and the enjoy christmas day with him

Ruprekt · 21/12/2013 16:52

Have a fab time and you could even have a glass of wine! SmileSmileSmile

HoHoHopasholic · 21/12/2013 16:54

I'm sure he'll be fine, however if you go for your chinese on Wednesday as you say in your OP things will NOT be fine Xmas Grin

Wednesday is Xmas day not Xmas eve.... Xmas Shock isn't it?!

RandallFloyd · 21/12/2013 16:56

See that's exactly my reasoning.

The next 10-15 years are going to be be a fog of magic and excitement and stockings, I honestly can't wait.

But I also really like my grown up Christmas eves with good friends and good food and good booze!

OP posts:
RandallFloyd · 21/12/2013 16:57

Balls, is it really Christmas on Wednesday?

Well fuck me, I need to get my skates on!

OP posts:
SomePeopleNeedHelp · 21/12/2013 16:58

ds was 2.5 last xmas and did not get it. A year later and he is excited about stocking, leaving out carrots etc.

2Tinsellytocare · 21/12/2013 17:00

Go and enjoy, best idea all round Smile

2Tinsellytocare · 21/12/2013 17:01

When my DD was that age the idea of Father Christmas scared the shite out of her

WorraLiberty · 21/12/2013 17:02

Go you nutter! It sounds much better for him to be snuggled up with his Dad than out at a restaurant.

He knows what presents are, and who Father Christmas is (although he scares the very bejesus out of him)

I read that ^^ and honestly thought your DS scares the bejesus out of Father Christmas Xmas Blush Xmas Grin

RandallFloyd · 21/12/2013 17:05

I took him to see FC last week actually. It was not fun.

All he said the whole time was 'No. A Father Christmas, no. Shall we go in the push chair? Wave goodbye to Father Christmas.'

OP posts:
BadgersNadgers · 21/12/2013 17:05

Oh go, you sound like you deserve a break.

RandallFloyd · 21/12/2013 17:05

I think he did Tbf Worra Xmas Grin

OP posts:
formerbabe · 21/12/2013 17:13

Why is this even an issue? Just go and enjoy yourself!

Bodypopper · 21/12/2013 17:14

You are a terrible mother Grin of course you should go. Only a nut job would take a 2.5 year old out to a restaurant in the evening unless they had to.

RandallFloyd · 21/12/2013 17:18

Because when it comes down to it, I'm all talk.

I tell everyone that they should completely ignore the judgey bastards and spend my own time obsessing about what people think of me. Xmas Blush

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread