First Christmas without 2 of my children.

[Titsalinabumsquash]

My ex has asked for the boys this year, for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
He asked last year but I'd already booked stuff so I dropped them to him after lunch on Christmas Day and they spent Boxing Day with him too.

I always said I'd be 100% fair on the holidays so I can't make a fuss, so I've come here to be a bit sad instead.

It will just be DP, DS3 (who doesn't understand Christmas yet) and me.

We have DP's family for Christmas lunch but DP is working all day Christmas Eve so it will be a little lonely.

Ach, you'll be grand-try to enjoy the peace & quiet & make a bit of a fuss on other days-we do an advent calendar with lots of fun things throughout Dec-like looking for holly, going to the zoo to wish all the animals happy Christmas, going to see Santa & having a picnic on a blanket under the tree. Think of it as just another day but while of Dec is Christmas this year x

How old are the boys ? Lovely that you can be fair with your ex. You'll have a wonderful Christmas with dd and with the boy's when they are there. for you, can't be easy.

- how old is your DS3 (not sure if he's 3yo or your 3rd DS )

Can you bundle him up warm and go out to look at all the decorations?
Maybe find somewhere to have a hot drink or have a nice tea when you get back.

It will be a different Christmas and yes you will miss the older boys. But it might be nice to have a low key day while your DP is at work and you have your little DC all to yourself?

Big bubble bath and new PJs don't forget

They're 10 and 8.

DP is absolutely gutted but we'll have them next year along with DS3 and DC4 when he/she is born. :)

DS3 is 2, we have DP's family coming round for lunch on the actual day so we'll have some company thanks everyone.

Try to see it as getting two Christmas days - you make the 26th "Christmas Eve" and the 27th "Christmas Day" and re run everything.

Will be a good tradition to start this year as I guess in 2 years time it will happen again when your DS3 will be much more aware?

we have done this alternate Christmas since DS1 was 3 and he's now 9. It was hard at first, but seeing the kids happy is the pay off.

This Christmas I think will be hard for us....it was DS2 first Christmas last year and I had DS1 Xmas Eve/Day (until after lunch), but he is at his dad's those days this time and DS2 at 23 months will be a bit more aware that something exciting is happening.

We tend to 'postpone' our Christmas Day until Boxing Day when ex has him....but I don't think that will work now we have a smaller one to consider.

I would book something special forthe 23 eg pantomime , cinema etc. on 24th I would go out with DS3 for lovely brunch , looking at lights, lovely walk type thing or if you would rather stay in put on cheesy cd, watch cheesy but good film and chill with nibbles. Have lovely day with DP and his family on Christmas Day and then on BOxing day when your two boys are back make it Xmas Eve for them etc.