To be bloody loving my first Christmas as a single parent?

[MsJaneAusten]

This is the first year with just me and my two DSes. We had a lovely afternoon watching Encanto and eating pizza; food is all prepped for tomorrow; presents were wrapped weeks ago without any arguments; I’m drinking Prosecco and feeling slightly smug.

I haven’t yet decided if being the only adult in the house to eat ‘Santa’s snacks’ is a good or bad thing, but on balance, I feel like I’m winning.

Hmmmm. I fear this is more a stealth boast than an AIBU. Meh. Nevermind.

Sounds utterly blissful. Congratulations and enjoy!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

YANBU

YOU ARE A WINNER. Eat the Santa snacks!! (I’m a but drunk but what a nice post)

Amazing !!!
I'm found myself singing Xmas songs while putting out the bins the other day
Couldn't stop

Three years ago the abuser was ridiculing my every move while 38 weeks preg

Enjoy every single minute

Happy Christmas 🥂

Well done OP, mine too! This time last year was so miserable, I promised myself 2021 would finally be the year I stopped putting up with Ex's behaviour. It's great to be FREE (even though I'm flat broke and exhausted) and although I have a billion worries about how the teenagers are coping, I do feel quite proud of myself for what I've managed.

I've got that song stuck in my head 'for all of my queens who are fighting alone - baby you're not dancing on your own'.

Happy First Christmas 🎄 🥂

(And if you are reading this and in a shitty relationship, I promise that if I could do it, anyone can. The divorce and separation board is amazing.)

Thank you all. Happy Christmas

I know what you mean about the bins @Queenie6655. Who knew that cleaning could be so much fun? Headphones on, singing along to Taylor Swift (“we are never, ever… getting back together…”) no one looking for what I haven’t done. Perfect.

I’ve just realised that I was actually single last Christmas too, but I was such an idiot that I invited ExDH to see the DC open their presents. He ruined it. Obviously. He always does. He won’t be getting that chance again.

Another single mum here at Christmas. Merry Christmas everyone

#winning

X posted @MoiraNotRuby. I think it was all the shitty posts this week that inspired me to start this thread. The crap so many of us put up with. Shudder.

“To us”

YANBU have a fab Christmas.

Enjoy it and well done you! ❤️ Also the first Christmas for me and my daughter after cutting her abusive father out of our lives - and it’s been a blast - I’ve built the first present in my life (a bloody 4ft castle!), the house is spotless and I’m currently sat looking at all of her presents feeling excited for her face in the morning but also so bloody proud of myself that I done this all by myself - something that he always told me I would never manage alone - I hope you’re feeling proud of yourself too! ❤️

And another. Happy Xmas all

Yay!!! Welcome.

I'm with you too! 2 Christmases ago I had to justify why I needed to make trifle on Christmas Eve (because it won't be ready otherwise - dur!) - ex cooked all of Christmas dinner - what a hero he told us he was - then sat himself down as soon as the meal was done because he'd done everything - never noticed that I'd never sat down except to eat my food ALL DAY - and I felt I had to justify why DS had so many presents (because he's my child and I wanted him to have that many!) and also my Christmas dinner in my house but we didn't get mash even though those are the potatoes I like with my Christmas dinner.

M&S Christmas dinner for us tmw. Veg all done. DS has discovered Yule log this year. Yes you can have Yule log for breakfast on Christmas Day!

I have been literally skipping around this week! All wrapping done last week whilst ds was at cubs

Have a lovely day tomorrow ladies xx

It's bliss no more waiting for eruptions constant criticism the mood swings. .
After years of trying to negotiate a deal he finally instructed a solicitor serving me on Christmas Eve...bring it on. Twat I'm free... Things only get better op you sound happy 😊

We celebrate on christmas eve in my country and I have had a bloody brilliant one this evening. The best one ever.
Last year we were seperated but living in the same house and it was tense. Today we had laughter, lovely food, no pre-dinner stress. Just perfect.

Yay me and yay all of you!! I hope your celebrations are equally as lush tomorrow.

Hell yes. This year for some unknown reason exh invited me for christmas dinner...er, no thanks.

Love it too... this is my fourth single Christmas and teen kids decided they prefer spending it with me and seeing their Dad at NY which is lovely. (Although I did spend one Xmas "Home Alone" but just had a mini Xmas with kids before they left and had a lazy, indulgent couple of days when they were gone which was also great).

this hasbought a huge smile to my face

ive been a single parent of 3 for a few years and was only thinking today no watching him getting drunk early,no tense atmosphere etc etc

it really is liberating getting rid of a ex partner and judging by some threads on here i count my lucky stars that i dot have to put up with any nonsense anymore

i hope you all enjoy your Christmas it sounds like its gonna be a good one for you all xx

A very Happy Christmas to you🎄5th single Christmas here and it stills feels amazing not to be getting shouted at for daring to rustle the Christmas presents whilst putting them under the tree whilst he lay on the couch every year! Single motherhood is the best!

This is my fourth Christmas as a single mum, and they have genuinely been the best Christmas’ we’ve had.

No drama, sulking.

Enjoy your day xx

This is my third Christmas as a single mother, he will come over to see what Santa has brought but I've had them to myself all day with no pressure to do jobs or follow his orders

This is welcome reading. For various reasons which seemed a good idea at the time, we are having a final 'family christmas' before the divorce comes through next year.

I had a little sob (well several actually) earlier thinking this is the last year the DCs get both mummy and daddy there with them for christmas eve.

But fingers crossed we'll be happy as a unit of 3 by this time next year without STBXH trying to trip me up at every turn.

I'm so happy for you (all)! I'm part of a family of four people plus parents and siblings etc. I get happy early December but by about the 20th I get the fear....

Enjoy your Christmas! I can honestly say I loved all my Christmases as a single parent, I’m happy now and been with my, genuinely decent, DH for years but those on my own with the kids - we were heartfelt-happy and content.
I was in a Refuge for survivors of domestic abuse over one Christmas, we made that fun cooking with all the other women and kids and communal play for anyone who wanted it, and peace in our bedsits for those that didn’t; they knew they had everyone’s solidarity and support though.
For anyone who needs to hear it - you truly DO deserve respectful relationships in your and your children’s lives and truly ARE able to be happy.