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Christmas

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Original poster

Christmas trees and toddlers!

34 replies

adamadamum · 21/12/2006 21:33

I got a tiny fibre optic tree to use on a high shelf out of the kids way as I know what they're like, but my lovely Homestart volunteer yesterday turned up with a small real tree plus decorations for it. Already it is minus all it's decorations because it was too big to keep out of the kid's way, and this afternoon I put it in the garden as I can't stand the stress of trying to keep them off it! Am I the only one? They were pulling the lights off it before I made that decision, could have got it 'round their necks, plus she only lent us the lights anyway!

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belgianmama · 21/12/2006 21:50

No, I have a tree with lights and unbreakable baubles. I can't see how they'd remove the lights of the tree, even I have trouble doing that! I did have keep putting the baubles back, but after a while they did loose interest in them and it happens less often. Both my lo's love having the the christmas tree in the house. Personally I find it better to have one and teach them not to touch it than to avoid having one alltogether, because they are bound to encounter a christmas tree at friends'/family's houses and then they know what it is and not to touch it.

Kelly1978GotRunOverByAReindeer · 21/12/2006 21:52

I've actually been really lucky. The dts have been really well behaved, but it was dd(6) who managed to smash a glass bauble tofay. I was not impressed!
I know what you mean though, my ds1 could never leave it alone.

Nemoinapeartree · 21/12/2006 21:54

Have a tree with the works and luckily both DS[3] and DD[1] have been ok. DD likes to have a bat at the balls but just move her away.

nearlythree · 21/12/2006 21:55

I have no lights on our tree, and unbreakabe baubles. Dd2 is driving me nuts taking off the decorations, but so far it's survived. Don't know about next yr when baby ds will be mobile though. I do get fed up with saying 'no' all the time, it ends up being so negative.

TheChristmasArmadillo · 21/12/2006 21:55

apart from rearaiging the baubles (plastic ) and trying to turn the lights on and off (but that is mostly to do with his obsession with lights) ds (2yo) loves the (fake) christmas tree. We only had a little fibre optic one last year but this year we got a full sized one. He loves just looking at it and adored decorating it with his dad.

I'm glad we've got one and he is much better than I thought (he's into everything).

hoxtonchick · 21/12/2006 21:56

my 18 month old thinks christmas has come (boom boom). she is trashing the wretched thing, throwing baubles everywhere. am bored of the whole thing.llll

Stockingsofdinosaurs · 21/12/2006 21:56

My ds (22m) has removed every bulb reachable (and it's sockety thing) from ours, broken two baubles and sucked the glitter off a star. I've given up with the lights . Not going to be able to put persents under the tree until Xmas eve bedtime.

BaileysMilkshake · 21/12/2006 22:06

DD(3) enjoyed helping decorate the tree with us this year.

We have a carousel ornament which play Christmas tunes so she keeps activating that.

She keeps trying to turn the lights on - which DH and I try to discourage as we dont want her touching the plugs.

Other than that it's been left alone - oh apart from when she discovered we had put choclate on the tree - that's all gone now!

MerryChipmonkAndAHappyNewey · 21/12/2006 22:12

One year SIL had lights which were made to resemble candles. Her dd ate one of the candles!

Original poster
adamadamum · 21/12/2006 22:14

It's reassuring that I'm not the only one! Trouble is I have a 2 1/2 yrold boy and a 4 yr old girl with special needs and I am alas a lone parent for my sins. There is never anyone else to keep an eye on them but me, and I am absolutely exhausted. I think if circumstances were different I would be able to keep the tree in place, but my girl doesn't understand, try as I might to make her, and what one does the other copies. Maybe it will be a little easier next year when my son is a year older - he might even enjoy joining in with me trying to stop his sister, but at the moment, they are are both similar developmentally (so many people say it must be like having twins) and I have no-one else around to help (I go to the loo and come back down to utter mayhem!) PLEASE any ideas would be welcome!

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wrappingpaperBOwZZAndribbons · 21/12/2006 22:22

I am going to be really annoying now and say that I have had a real tree with baubles (although trying to have breakable ones higher) and lights every year with my 5 and 2yos without any problems. When we decorating this year DD lost balance and ended up sat in the box of baubles. Amazingly, only one was broken.

Original poster
adamadamum · 21/12/2006 22:36

Wrappingpaper I am jealous! But I guess you probably haven't had chance to read my last posting. I don't like to go on about having a child with special needs, or being a single parent of two pre school kids, but it is so difficult that I sometimes actually have moments when I want to end it all. Normal times are too much stress. So Christmas? With extra temptations and no break for even a second (my son even climbs over the stair gate now when i go for a pee) well you can, I hope, imagine how hard it is.

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TinsellyRhino · 21/12/2006 22:40

I am absolutely shocked by the fact that dd2 (20 months) has gebtly poked a bauble or two about 3 times and that was it. I didn't say anything cause I really thought that if I said something she would do it more and more.
I am completely shocked cause we were sooo sure we would have a nightmare with her and the tree that we did think about putiting the tree in the playpen and even though we didn't do that we did tie it to curtain tie-back hook

Original poster
adamadamum · 21/12/2006 22:54

I am really depressed! I guess you all have partners/husband and normal children. I hope you all appriate what you have, and realise how blessed you are.

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paulaplumpbottom · 21/12/2006 22:56

I'm really sorry you are having such a hard time. I wish there was something else I could do besides giving my sympathy.

Original poster
adamadamum · 21/12/2006 22:56

Excuse my typo - I obviously meant APPRECIATE not appriate though at this time of night I am still not confident with the spelling...

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Original poster
adamadamum · 21/12/2006 23:01

Thanks Paulaplumpbottom (bet mine is plumper...) I can't help but feel bitter and jealous sometimes, not in a way of hating people who have what I wish I had, just resentment at what life has thrown at me. I wouldn't wish my life on anyone, it is hard beyond belief.

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Twohootsunderthemistletoe · 21/12/2006 23:11

Well I had my tree up for all of one week exactly. DD (19 mo) was a complete and utter nightmare with it - firstly broke one bauble when DH was meant to be watching her! She just wouldn't leave them alone and even pulled the tinsel off!!! I tried everything to stop her taking things off it (and they all ended up in her mouth!) - speaking to her at her level nicely, shouting at her at her level, smacking her hands, smacking her bum (nappy on and trousers) and NOTHING worked - she is a little workey ticket (sp) at times anyway (in the nicest sense of the word) and really doesn't take any notice of anything anyone says to her which is depressing and exhausting!!!

Anyway, culminated in my being in the kitchen for two seconds and hearing this almighty crash - yep - she'd knocked over the tree and broken half the baubles ! She knew what she'd done as she went "oh dear"!!!! So the tree has now been packed away which is a real shame! We do have a few lights around the house so not all bare but even then she's pulled at one of them (santa lights) and pulled Santa's leg off!!!

Can you tell I am frustrated with her! I swing between she's a normal 'overactive' toddler to 'is she a special needs kid'! Anyway lets not get into that......

nearlythree · 21/12/2006 23:15

Adamadamum, have you posted on the Special Needs topic? Maybe someone there can give you some advice?

nearlythree · 21/12/2006 23:17

Whereabouts are you?

Poor Homestart lady, thinking she was being kind and instead she's stressed you out even more!

Original poster
adamadamum · 21/12/2006 23:33

Twohootsunderthemistletoe yeah you want a "normal" kid heaven forbid "is she a special needs kid" Grow up. It could happen to you. I f*ing HAS happened to me. At the moment i am trying to stop myself from becoming too suicidal. You certainly do not help.

Let us not get into that? Some of us have no Fu888ng choice. HAPPY CHRRISTMAS TO YOUR NICE NORMAL FAMILY.

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themoon66 · 21/12/2006 23:42

adamadamum - I really don't think twohoots was getting at you..... really.

JollyOldSaintNikkielas · 21/12/2006 23:43

Don't know if its any help? but for the last 4 years I fenced the tree off in a corner with a fire guard(actually 1/2 of one)
Can get fireguards free/cheap from sure start?

Original poster
adamadamum · 21/12/2006 23:45

Nearlythree Hi, thanks for suggestions, will try to calm down after what I read on an earlier posting from someone else! I haven't posted stuff on the "Special Needs" forum yet, I thought this particular prob' might apply more accross the board, but I might try it anyway. Anyway, I live in Stockport, Greater Manchester. My Homestart volunteer meant well obviously, but having known us for around a year I would have thought she'd have known better! Anyway, she is a lovely woman and quite a Godsend really, she just isn't here at "tidy-up time" to see quite how hard that bit is...anyway, if we don't communicate again before THAT day, I hope you have a good Christmas x

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nearlythree · 21/12/2006 23:54

Hi, adamadamum, totally agree that the Christmas tree dilemma will get most of us with toddlers! I just wondered if you'd posted on the SN topic in general - you sound so down and frustrated. I'm miles from you I'm afraid or I'd have suggested coffee.

Anyway, thanks for the good wishes and I hope that you and your family have a blessings-filled Christmas too.