To miss my Dc being little

[Balconyofdreams]

Dc is 7, but seems to be going on 17. Have noticed a big change compared to last Christmas, I think that was her last one being little, even though I know 7 still is.
She finds many things babyish, isn’t as excited about the elves funny tricks and I don’t think believes really in santa or is getting an inkling.
Xmas when younger was the stuff of dreams and I didn’t expect that to change so quickly.
I don’t have anymore children and just feel a bit sad things changed so quickly

Yes I was thinking this. I wouldn’t be taking them all out for an expensive lunch if they weren’t appreciative. We don’t expect much from ours, don’t need anything, but they’ll still buy a little gift. Also £5000 is way too much to be spending - next year I’d be dialling it back.

My kids are now adults - we still track Santa on NORAD , albeit over a few glasses of wine , and we still leave out a carrot and mince pie , still sprinkle reindeer food on the garden .
i know they only do it to humour me - but your traditions don’t have to stop because the kids get older ! You just adapt them .

I agree. DS8 still believes but he says the Father Christmas he saw isn’t the real one. So he still believes but doesn’t get that excited Elf movie moment of “Santa is coming!!!!”

I’ve had a different experience. My twins are also 7. I don’t think they really ‘got’ Christmas that much til they were at least 4. They liked doing the tree, but seemed a bit bewildered by a lot of it and were overwhelmed by receiving a lot of gifts in one go. From 6 has been so much better, and they are really into it.

But we’ve never done anything that relies on this ‘magic’ that seems to be such a crutch for some. We only vaguely do Santa, never done the elf. We don’t exchange a lot of gifts. I do Xmas Eve boxes, but it’s just PJs, a book and a hot chocolate sachet. We focus on time together, movies, days out, cooking and baking, games etc. My parents also didn’t really do Santa for me and siblings and it didn’t affect how much we enjoy Christmas.

The longer I’ve had kids, the more I think this elevated view and creation of ‘magic’ is setting everyone up for disappointment.

I was missing mine being little this year - they're 12 and 14. My 14 year old is fully into the Christmas spirit. He's a lot like a 6 foot elf. My 12 year old is far too old and cool for all that sort of thing...

I read to a load of children your DDs age in my school, OP, to get my cheery little kid spirit back! Nice Christmas stories in the dark, with all their little rapt faces looking up at me. One kid even told his mate off for trying to talk 😄. It's made my festive season so far! She's not so big yet, OP. Help her find some festive joy.

You spending £5k on presents and being grumpy about it is entirely on you.

If it helps, mine is 13 now and as much as I was dreading losing Santa and all the magic elements of Christmas, it's actually been quite lovely so far this year.

DD is 19 and back from uni. Making me a coffee in the cafe she works in. You grow up with your child but they are always your baby!