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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to really dislike the Christmas holidays?

42 replies

stickysausages · 28/12/2013 14:45

A week still to go, and while we were in need of a break from the school & work routine, I'm so bloody bored.

Shitty weather, endless tidying up & hardly anywhere open...

Meh.

OP posts:
Joules68 · 28/12/2013 14:58

where on earth are you?

Original poster
stickysausages · 28/12/2013 15:06

Shops are open, but we're not big shoppers. I mean museums & leisure things, that would amuse DS. Went swimming this morning, but a lot of things are closed right through, and outdoor things aren't much fun in the rain.

OP posts:
KrabbyPatty · 28/12/2013 15:11

God, I love the Christmas hols.

Lots of socialising, loads of relaxing - it's bliss.

Although I am getting a bit twitchy about taking the tree down.

ThreeBeeOneGee · 28/12/2013 15:13

I'm not a giant fan of school holidays generally, but chin up, we're half-way through!

Original poster
stickysausages · 28/12/2013 15:26

True Wink

We have a few loose plans, but DH is so bloody laid back about confirming.

We seem to be thinking about food constantly too, planning ahead & what needs used up etc. Other holidays feel more relaxed to me.

Maybe I'm just a bah humbug. I'd enjoy the December hols much more somewhere warm! Oh to be all Tim Minchin, with his white wine & sun!!

OP posts:
stella69x · 28/12/2013 15:33

I'm the same, totally fed up of the constant cook clean repeat monotony, can't wait to get back to work to break the day up a bit. Only 8 more days........

Dollslikeyouandme · 28/12/2013 15:33

I love them, but then holidays mean I'm not at work.

I agree there not much outdoors stuff that you can do. But we love visiting friends and family, playing with the new toys, we will be going to the cinema, curl up on the sofa with a DVD. Shop the sales if you can? Wrap up and go for a walk? Cook something nice for tea?

Have to say though since having ds I rarely get bored, there's always something to be doing.

Rhubarbgarden · 28/12/2013 15:34

I hear you, op. just looked out of the window at the rain after getting the small one up from his nap and wondered what the hell we are going to do with them this afternoon. Run out of ideas.

Dollslikeyouandme · 28/12/2013 15:36

You don't always have to be doing something exciting surely?

Just relax, enjoy not having to be anywhere.

marmaladeandguitars · 28/12/2013 15:37

I know what you mean. I don't hate them, they are OK, but they do seem to drag emptily a bit, in a way none of the other holidays ever do. I think it's a combination of the massive build up to the day itself, the weather, and DD being an only child.

MalcolmTuckersMistress · 28/12/2013 15:37

I had an old friend staying last night and it was fab.

Today I have the post Christmas blues. She's gone, DH is away for a night out with his friends, and there's nothing but repeats on tv. The kids are being quiet but I just want Christmas Day again because it was so fabulous and I really had been dreading it!

Plus now I have to wait until next SEPTEMBER to see Doctor Who again.

I do like the Christmas holidays, but they get a bit depressing quite quickly. Especially when the kids get a bit fidgety.

ohtanmybum · 28/12/2013 15:41

Feet up, good book, tiddling around on MN, loads of musicals on the box, chocs and clementine's on tap - what's not to like.

dimsum123 · 28/12/2013 15:42

I agree. Weather is awful. I hate shopping. Trains aren't running due to bad weather or engineering work. No family to visit and not many friends around this year. And DH and I both have a horrible everlasting cold.

ohtanmybum · 28/12/2013 15:43

Errant apostrophe in the citrus. Oops.

aquashiv · 28/12/2013 15:44

They do go on a bit but today was such a lovely day makes you glad to be alive.

Ubik1 · 28/12/2013 15:46

You could join me at with if you like Hmm

Ubik1 · 28/12/2013 15:46

With? Work...am incoherent with tiredness

ShatnersBassoon · 28/12/2013 15:47

I love the Christmas hols. There's always loads going on. I don't think anything near us shuts for more than a day or two. A couple of days hibernation, a bit of socialising, lots of new toys...

Lilicat1013 · 28/12/2013 16:09

I hate the Christmas holidays and all school holidays. My son is autistic and doesn't cope with the change of routine. He also doesn't cope with buses so our options for entertainment are things are can walk to.

That did include the limited local shops, the park and the library. Now the library moved the kids section to the middle floor my son wont got in the lift and the youngest is in the pram so can't go up the stairs. The shops are too crowded for him right now so that leaves the park every single freezing cold, wet, miserable day for as long as the baby will tolerate being sat in the pram.

We play at home, he empties out every toy he can find and repeats the same phrases to me over and over again shouting them in my face because he is stressed and the baby screams because he is teething.

They have new things to play with which is nice but neither is able to actually play, the little one is a baby and my older son sorts, organises and empties but doesn't play as such so toys don't keep him occupied very long.

On the plus side my neighbour's cat has taken to popping in to get out of the rain (our neighbour knows he visits and doesn't mind). He is very sociable and very sweet with the children, they are just delighted with him. My son can be kept amused for ages following him round the house watching what he does.

I am hoping the next set of holidays will be easier, I am hoping to buy a lightweight pushchair so I can carry that and the baby up the library stairs meaning we get one extra place to go.

CaterpillarCara · 28/12/2013 16:24

Lillicat - I don't know how old your son is, but my nephew is autistic and will spend a lot of time:
(1) following lego instructions exactly
(2) listening to audiobooks (exact copies) and following along in the text
(3) making train tracks to an exact plan - my sister writes them, using ideas from here: www.freetrackplans.com/Hornby-Plans.php
(4) tracing pictures and diagrams

When he was younger, he liked sorting things. So, for example, she would tip out all the lego and get him to sort it into colours or sizes.

Does any of that help? It all sounds very stressful for you.

Theodorous · 28/12/2013 16:29

Qatar has been ace. All shops open. However I agree about the lack of routine for the adults. Kids never get bored of the stuff we have that we couldn't have at home. We are both anxious and worried about "going back" mainly because we are older and have lost our routines. when I say stuff I don't mean expensive gifts btw, just being free to go out and play/wander around with friends

happybubblebrain · 28/12/2013 16:31

I'm really enjoying them. Probably because work has been so awful this year. It's lovely getting up at 9am instead of 6am, lounging about until midday, eating lots of lovely leftovers and chocolate, watching films, playing toys, making crafts and catching up with friends. If only I didn't have to go back to work.

Lilicat - your holidays will probably get easier as your son gets older. I hope so.

MichaelFinnigan · 28/12/2013 16:48

A break from the rush rush rush routine of work / school? Yes please. Always having to be somewhere and no time to enjoy

I'm bloody loving it. Lazy mornings in PJs till lunchtime. Loads of new toys to play with. A chance to tidy the house and sort things out that there's never normally n time for

Delicious food, everyone else off too so lots of friends and visitors.

I wish it'd go on for a month

Rhubarbgarden · 28/12/2013 17:23

Suggestions like "just relax", "feet up" and "good book" don't work with small children who get cabin fever if they are stuck in the house all day.

Original poster
stickysausages · 28/12/2013 17:30

Exactly rhubarb :)

I also find it hard to relax anyway Blush

OP posts: