Anyone else awake and dreading tomorrow?

[Marjie3]

First time in my 53 years that I’m not feeling it at all this year. Not looking forward to pretending I’m joyfull tomorrow at all and not sure why

My 9yo took ages to go off to sleep tonight so I was late up to bed myself as had to wait till totally sure he was asleep to do stockings and stuff. Then heard him get up for a wee at 2:15am and could hear him struggle to get back to sleep and he got up a couple more times until 3ish. I haven’t been able to sleep since 2ish when he woke me up and now given up trying entirely! I’m feeling a bit stressed - first time properly hosting and I’ve got 14 for lunch tomorrow and I hate cooking. Breakfast with in-laws at 9am at their house tomorrow too so always a rush to do pressies with kids at ours first before having to get ready and rush round. Been awake thinking how we might structure it better next year! I’ll be shattered tomorrow, but praying I can keep up a big smile until everyone leaves in the evening! Lots of coffee for me pls!

Big hugs to you lovely people. I’m hungover and feeling a bit germy/ feverish so mainly self inflicted.

I honestly think Christmas is torture for our children. My parents try to understand but side eye him at times- especially how he’s developed this regulation method of what looks like exotic bloody dancing- that will undoubtedly raise eyebrows tomorrow when he’s jirating about whilst me mums serving her prize sherry trifle.

Sending strength, patience and calmness your way. And wine… lots and lots of wine

@Nobbynobbsknob 😱😱😱 I'm guessing it wasn't Santa 😓 How terrifying. I hope you're okay.

I have been woken 6 times by DBaby. Have an estranged brother which makes me sad at these "family" oriented times. Parents with anxiety and dementia too. Reading this back I should cut myself some slack for not feeling overly jolly.

It'll all be over soon folks.

How unsettling! I hope you and yours are okay? Any chance you managed a kick to the jewels before police arrived?

My heart goes out to everyone on this thread. May the day go as good as it can.

Shite, well done?! for disturbing them, I hope you are unscathed and that you disturbed them in time.

Sorry to everyone who is really dreading tomorrow.
I’m actually sure my day will be lovely but I’m so very tired and could just do with a secret ‘pause day’ tomorrow and for Christmas to be the day after.
With my secret day I’d just lie down watching telly and eating all the snacks I’ve made and they’d magically replenish themselves for real Christmas.

Youngest autistic daughter slept through the whole thing.
Eldest autistic and adhd child freaking out.
Ex husband came over and is sleeping in the living room for reassurance.
They got the switch, a passport and a school bag but nothing else and the cats are safely inside. Also a box of chocolates and ate some yoghurt (!?)
It could have been a lot worse.
It's been a truly shit year and this is the shitty cherry on top

I'm 54, just back from anothe4 trip to the loo. On my own with the dog and dreading the smug photos from DSis later with my family and, no doubt, photos from adult DS who is away with DILs family.
Last year he told me I should go to theirs and they would pay for a meal out. Ha.

I’m awake. Kids are not. I’m cooking dinner for 8 and I’m lying here feeling unwell. Stuffy, sore throat, achey. Crap. Luckily djs all the prep yesterday so might be able to just set my mum and MIL away and look after myself.

Nof Dreading but not excited. My kids pile is small even though I’ve spent a fortune. My youngest has been hard work and i really don’t want him him to get gifts.
I feel quite depressed about it tbh

Theres a massive back story of attention seeking behaviour. Too long to go into.
This is a regular occurrence and in the past when I’ve said I would contact her GP she just laughs and says of course she would never do it.
It’s my job to make her happy apparently.
Most of the time I can do the grey rock thing, but involving the kids is a new level.

What a lot to deal with. No wonder you.cant sleep.
Hope things are not as bad as you fear and that you can get at least at least some pleasure out of the day x

Awake and feeling absolutely dreadful, the worst cold I've had in my life as far as I can remember, I guess it's flu. I am in so much pain and a wracking cough that's hurting me all over now, ears killing me throat daggers the lot. I love Christmas but I don't think I'll make the family dinner which is absolutely devastating me, my mum is an alcoholic and is really awful to me and seeing my in laws and other friends and family is what keeps me from becoming really sad and overwhelmed about her behavior. I don't want to be alone on Christmas day but I have to let my OH and kids go to the big party and make the most of their day. Why today 😞 I'll need to work hard not to let difficult thoughts creep in.

Cats puked on my christmas trousers 😑......that'll teach me to leave my stuff on the bedroom floor.

So, so sorry that your Mum is allowing this. I suppose he is ensuring everything gets left to him in a will. Can you not contact your local Council and ask to speak to the Safeguarding Team, and report this. I hope kids get to enjoy the day. I will not be doing anything as parents dead over 30 years now. Eldest sister died of Cancer a few years ago, but we were estranged, I don't speak to younger sister now and not for 11 years, too long to go into here. Lost my last Aunty Jan 2020 and lost pertner 30 years ago. Ill health has forced me to retire aged 71 in 2023 when my Bowel Cancer diagnosed. Consultants now believe it is in lung but can't get a Biopsy though they have tried. Are thinking of another way in to it. Good news is my mate is home from London and rang me for a couple of hours and I'll see her in a couple of days. I gave up on Christmas 32 years ago and nothing has happened to make me change my mind. I have bought a few prezzies for my mate but the day does not bother me. Just another day - got my 2 dogs and 2 cats so that is ok. Please try and have some sort of Christmas joy, but I urge you to try and get help for your situation. It isn't right.

I feel your pain with the ‘cold’. It’s absolutely floored me, I have never remembered such a severe sore throat- brought me to tears. I really hope you can get some rest today and your family look after you. I’m day 8 now, although I feel pretty grim I’m a king to where I was. Hopefully rapid recovery for you

Thank you, I usually do recover rapidly but I think tomorrow is a lost cause. I can honestly not remember feeling this ill, it's so painful. Pills are doing nothing. I am glad you are on the mend and hope you enjoy your day. I've just taken the chills busy suddenly out of nowhere. This is flu isn't it

I’m recently divorced but spending Christmas with my kids, ex-husband and his parents. It already feels like I’m an interloper on their family Christmas. Can’t wait for today to be over.

Been a tough year. Lost one of my best friends, and it was Christmas last year she was found in a terrible state (no-one could get hold of her) and she died 9wks later. I lost another friend too in October, and went to 5 funerals this year. So i’ll be glad to see the back of this year.

Thank you for starting this thread. This year is a particularly difficult Christmas as it’s my first Christmas since separating from my husband in the summer. I left the family home but right now I would give anything in the world to wake up in the family home with us all together in our Christmas PJs, husband and I watching the children opening their stockings, putting the heating on and all of us making our way downstairs to see what Santa has brought. To make it worse my ex has been sending me photos of this time last year too. What’s worse again is that my children are separated too so oldest is with his Dad and our youngest is with me, it’s much worse that they are split up too 😔

I'm sat downstairs with the cat, having a cup of tea after laying awake in bed since 3am. Just me and DP (and Dcat and Ddog) today and I feel zero Christmassy. I can't even be arsed with the presents. All of which is very unlike me, I used to love Christmas.

Best wishes to everyone on this thread, with everything going on.

That very hard. I’m so sorry for all your loss.

Oh dear. In a work capacity I have met people who do similar. As a relative you can still call the number for their advice. Distressing for you all.

😂

Sorry to laugh but that is typical cat behaviour.... we have two of 'em