How can I stop my head spinning and get some sleep on Christmas Eve??

[TheWickedWitch]

Every year it is the same. I have so many things going on in my head - is the food sorted, have I got all the presents, will the children hear me, what if they wake up at 3am etc - that I just can't sleep. Husband is snoring within seconds, worrying about nothing, (probably as he has no idea about anything).

I have tried all sorts of different things, but I always lie awake all night and spend Christmas Day like a zombie.

Anyone have any top tips or is that just how it is for Mums??

I have a similar problem with my DD, she couldn't get to sleep until almost 1am last year, so I obviously had to stay awake both to be with her and to go put the presents out once she was asleep. Obviously DH was asleep long before.
If you have a good plan, other than knocking yourself out with a hammer, let me know!

I think the solution to your problem is that you need to relax and let go. The presents are all there, the food is sorted and you deserve a REST!
You sound very organised so you just need to trust yourself that it's all fine, and if you have forgotten a present who is to know? They'll get it for their next birthday
Do you use lists? I do (I have them on Google docs so I can access them form anywhere) and they keep me on track and I ticking things off is so satisfying and help me to see black on white that I am in control...

And: the kids will not hear you... and if they do, how will they know it's not just you going to bed yourself...

Try to spend Christmas eve winding down, if you have last minute preparations, finish them an hour before you want to go to sleep and then settle with a nice hot drink, enjoy the moment, gaze at your tree or read a nice book (avoid TV). You could try a herbal supplement like Valerian (do get advice from your chemist though!) to help you get to sleep.

I'm not sure this is 'how it is for mums' - I may well get to bed late and have a little trouble to get to sleep as I am as excited as the next person, but my attitude to the day is relaxed, it will turn out fine, nobody's perfect, it does not to have to be perfect for everyone to have a good time.

Good luck I hope you have a more restful Christmas eve this year!

Get the DC to leave Santa a sherry? And a good afternoon walk for all of you.

I do this but it's normally a couple of days without sleep. Last year I had a few drinks xmas eve in the hope it would knock me out, it worked I am not saying you do this btw, did try sleeping tabs too but they made no difference

I'm the same. I've decided to have very little sleep (talking 3/4 hours) Sunday night so on Christmas eve i'm shattered, busy on Christmas eve so the idea is i'll fall into bed and won't look back.. I hope.

Nothing can be that important if forgotten really. I would t worry about forgetting sprouts/ toy rabbit asked for. No one is perfect

Being sensible now, I get very anxious when going on holiday and find having a short list of things that we absolutely can't manage without and I can check obsessively and know that if we have 90% of the rest we will be fine. So maybe write a list of:

• Turkey
• Crackers
• Main present for each person in the house
• Stocking for each child

And as long as you have a general pile of presents and lots of food (which you will know because you can't close the fridge) then the day will be fab even if you forgot one of the many finishing touches. Most things could be improvised and its not Christmas day without sending an adult off to find a corner shop for the one missing essential thing.

No point worrying about the children, although if they are old enough to be primed then you can explain that they are allowed one thing from their stocking and that's it before 7am (in which case they will surely dare not open more than their stocking presents).

Take a notebook to bed. Write down everything as it comes into your he'd and the solution. Always works for me.

Kalms?

It is good to know I am not the only one!

I will have lists of my lists and take on board the tips. Thank you all.

Here's to a good sleep on Christmas Eve!

(I have the Red Bull on stand-by just in case).