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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Being Santa is the most stressful thing you can be

146 replies

SparkleSpangle · 24/12/2022 22:06

Ok, so I started this same thread last year.

This is for all the adults sitting up waiting for their children to fall asleep so they can fill stockings.

Last year my DD could not get to sleep and I was up for hours after I was ready for bed waiting for Santa time.

So who's still waiting? How are you doing?

OP posts:
ChristmasBloomingChristmas · 24/12/2022 22:07

🙋 checking in. Mine are only just settling down to try to sleep. Argh.

ForensicFlossy · 24/12/2022 22:08

I'm sat waiting with my 2 elder daughters for the little one to fall asleep. It's so boring!

Hugasauras · 24/12/2022 22:08

You need two identical stockings! Prefill the second one at your leisure and then you just need to do a really quick swap once they're asleep.

Not much use this year but maybe for the future.

sunflowerdaisyrose · 24/12/2022 22:08

I'm lying with my 8 year old now helping her get to sleep!

ChristmasBloomingChristmas · 24/12/2022 22:08

It's hard too as one of mine is ten but still firmly believes so I haven't been able to prep much.

RagzRebooted · 24/12/2022 22:09

The worst year was when I got too tipsy, fell asleep on the sofa and had to do it half asleep, half drunk at 3am.

But yes, creeping around with rustly stockings is definitely stressful. Mine are teens now, so will pretend to be asleep if needed. I do now (wish I'd done when they were little) get them to leave the stockings outside their bedroom door so I only have to go into their room once (stockings have to go on the end of the bed).

daffodilandtulip · 24/12/2022 22:10

I was expecting this to be me. DC 16 & 13 are usually up til midnight...

9:30pm they both announced they were tired and needed an early night.

Never. Happened. In. Years.

Santa shall be tucked up in bed very shortly.

DancingWithYourDog · 24/12/2022 22:10

We are a neurospicy house so sleep isn’t our friend anyway. DS is miles off sleep and is old enough that he knows the Santa secret but young enough to enjoy pretending for 24 hours 😊so I’m waiting….

princessbear80 · 24/12/2022 22:10

Just went into DS (6) room, he sat bolt upright in bed, I made a hasty retreat! Thought he’d be long gone by now.

Hohofortherobbers · 24/12/2022 22:11

1 down, 1 to go, I'm knackered, wish she'd go to sleep!!

Hugasauras · 24/12/2022 22:12

My mum used to set an alarm and just quickly get up and do it and go back to bed to avoid having to stay up! Maybe worth a try if you are someone who can get back to sleep easily!

tonyhawks23 · 24/12/2022 22:12

Just eaten the mince pie....but feel it's too risky for stockings yet!

HumphreyCobblers · 24/12/2022 22:13

YY to identical sets of stockings so you can just swap. I tell all new parents this. Also hang them by the fireplace so you don't have to creep in twice.

It is a relief when they are teenagers.

Nacknick · 24/12/2022 22:13

In our house stockings are left downstairs by the fireplace. So although the boy is still awake I’m done and in bed thankfully

Notwashingup · 24/12/2022 22:13

DD is coughing, I'm counting between coughs but she's still awake. Have got to go out to the shed too, nightmare noisy open plan house 😣

usernotfound0000 · 24/12/2022 22:15

Me! DDs are 7 and 4 and this is the first year we've had an issue! 4 year old was asleep pretty quickly and only 10 minutes after normal bedtime. 7 year old was last heard at 9.35 crying that she couldn't sleep. All quiet now but too scared to go check or make any noise just yet!
Luckily everything is wrapped just need to bring in from the garage. God speed everyone

Original poster
SparkleSpangle · 24/12/2022 22:15

Ours are by the fireplace this year. I could do another year of being up half the night!

OP posts:
littlepeas · 24/12/2022 22:16

I remember last year's thread! Sitting with my dogs drinking FC's beer and waiting. Dh is asleep - the sod.

Raindancer411 · 24/12/2022 22:16

Youngest asleep, eldest chatting and fidgeting and won't settle. I took some bits down and hubby is doing some now whilst I sit with him and the door close (to stop the noise waking up his sister lol)

Gawd knows what time the stockings will come out!

usernotfound0000 · 24/12/2022 22:17

Stockings are on the outside of their doors. The issue for us is the noisy front door and garage that is underneath DDs bedroom. Think I might dare a peak in 5 minutes.

tonyhawks23 · 24/12/2022 22:18

Now I'm worried the kids will read this thread!can it be deleted in a few days Mumsnet hq?

Showmethefood · 24/12/2022 22:19

We’ve just got everything finished but ours is eleven and doesn’t believe in Santa. We told him he had to stay in his room - but he’s lay down now excited for tomorrow.

Original poster
SparkleSpangle · 24/12/2022 22:20

Even though the stockings are by the fireplace I still can't risk filling them early in case DD comes downstairs.

Definitely don't want to be caught watching tv and drinking wine in front of filled stockings!

OP posts:
AuntieEntity · 24/12/2022 22:21

Hugasauras · 24/12/2022 22:08

You need two identical stockings! Prefill the second one at your leisure and then you just need to do a really quick swap once they're asleep.

Not much use this year but maybe for the future.

This is actual genius.

Unescorted · 24/12/2022 22:23

Now they are late teens/ early 20s... I do them in the morning before they get up. I suspect they know it is me...😁