Need ideas to help me survive Christmas with two men and a baby...

[Orbinator]

Christmas last year saw me pg and doing all food shopping/present sopping/decorating/cooking and cleaning. Dad somehow found the deliberately hidden remote control and subjected us to over an hour of the train channel after nearly setting fire to my house playing with the log fire while I was cooking. My partner sulks when he looses at board games which makes them off limits.

I know my DD won't remember it as she is only 3 months atm, but I'd like it to be more Christmassy (is that a word? Festive?).

Can I plan ahead and do anything different this year that doesn't involve jumping on the next train to anywhere? Any suggestions?

Practice the following phrase:

"well wasn't that delicious, I'm going to sit and put my feet up now for a little while/ play with DD, while you two wash and dry the pots and give me some hard earned rest."

Shopping: can you do the bulk online? Make a list and send DH out while you stay home with tiny baby?

Why are your Dad and your DH letting you do all the work and not pitching in? And why are you letting them treat you like a dogsbody?

Time to man up orbinator and delegate.

A nice walk may cut down some of the dreary TV time?

Yes 'm I do need to man up! It was difficult last yr as dad and partner had only met a few times prior and I didn't want to rock the boat. I think a walk will go down well though - great idea.

What do people plan though? I keep thinking if I prepare stuff to do it can't be as dull las last year

Massive fireguard to keep dad away from the burning logs.

Take batteries out of TV remote.

No competitive games.

Walk with baby in pram.

Men to do all the jobs delegated to them.

Yes, I've earmarked dad for peeling spuds already. I won't try to get them doing things in the kitchen at the same time though as it will become "who is Alpha today?" competitive I think