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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

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Original poster

My children are ruining Christmas!

96 replies

Munted · 23/12/2016 08:22

I have 2 DS's, aged 7 and nearly 4 and BY GOD they are slowly but surely killing my festive buzz.

Constant fighting, bickering, throwing things, charging around, winding each other up, screeching, singing stupid songs, whining....

I know they're over excited about Christmas and missing the structure of school (7 year old broke up 10 days ago) but I'm so tired of telling them off, trying to to get them to calm down, refereeing etc.I have a cold and am feeling exhausted after organising everything for Christmas and my DH is in a permanent grump because he feels the same but has a far lower tolerance than me for poor behavior, so I'm trying to keep him calm too.

Aaaggghhhhhhhh! I swear I loved Christmas before I had children

OP posts:

Shodan · 23/12/2016 10:43

I've always though it's such a shame we can't harness the boundless energy of children in a useful way- for free electricity, say.

I had ds2 (9) complaining that he was 'bored' precisely two hours after breaking up from school on Tuesday. My answer to this has always been "Oh splendid! I have some chores I need some help with-unless you can find something to do?" He always becomes magically enthused about reading a book/making something/badgering his brother to do something with him.

Pokémon Go is currently a sanity-saver here, plus the walk makes me feel better too. Although the house is a tip... Still. I'd rather that than the alternative.

fifipop185 · 23/12/2016 10:43

Constant bickering going on over here too between 12yo dd, 8yo asd ds and as an added extra I've got an exhausted and stroppy 10yo nephew for the day. Have taken inspiration from this thread and we are going for a long walk, no idea where but.....

Bauble16 · 23/12/2016 10:48

Mine are at it this morning argh. Wrapping them up warn and it's dry here so they are going for 20 minute bounce on the trampoline to burn off some of the energy.

Christmas is nothing like the movies is it lmao. Sometimes it is brilliant but kids aren't Robots and do mess.

ghostspirit · 23/12/2016 10:48

My kids are the same. I thought I might just sit in the corner and rock.

They normally get banned from the living room when they are like that

Juanbablo · 23/12/2016 11:21

I have 3 children. They are 9, 6 and 2. The holidays started with them fighting constantly, bickering and whinging. Now they are thick as thieves, super excited and very loud! Getting out even just for a walk to the shop does help but I feel like organising activities every 5 minutes if we are in the house. At least dh will be home tomorrow and we can divide ourselves a bit.

SpringerS · 23/12/2016 12:13

You lot think any of the behaviour described her is bad. Last night my 4yo DS insisted on watching Mrs Brown's Boys! Torture!

WaitroseCoffeeCostaCup · 23/12/2016 12:16

I am usually the most relaxed parent, I believe in gentle parenting. All holiday it has been bickering, physical fights, constant angry screeching, answering back and I genuinely don't even recognise my eldest anymore. I'm ashamed to admit I really, REALLY don't like her at the moment.
After a week of this I have just lost the plot and thrown one of her presents out of the front door. I don't think she even cares.

WaitroseCoffeeCostaCup · 23/12/2016 12:18

For reference mine are 9, 3 and 2. Girl, boy, boy. 23 weeks pregnant.

Note3 · 23/12/2016 14:17

Katplva - if they're going stir crazy you could wrap them up in coats and boots and let them loose in garden then just have a warm drink and warmed clothes ready when they get back in. Might stop them being like caged animals while you can't go out in public

Note3 · 23/12/2016 14:20

Waitrose - I feel your pain. I've told my eldest that if she hurts her sister once more I'm going to open one of her presents in front of her now then we will drive it to the charity shop!

WaitroseCoffeeCostaCup · 23/12/2016 14:56

Note I'm so glad I'm not alone! I don't recognise myself at the moment!

newbeginnings16 · 23/12/2016 15:19

I've 5 😂 all sending me bat shit !! I've taken a joint present and gave it to the well behaved one , faces was priceless and behaved for an hour .. now back to being brats !

MycatsaPirate · 23/12/2016 15:35

I was quite pleased that my 18 year old stayed at her friends last night, her tolerance for her 11 year old sister is at an all time low.

However, she came home and said her friends mum and baby sister were poorly so her friend was doing all the cooking for the other kids and my DD was looking after the poorly baby for hours this morning. I just thought .. and you can't be nice to your sister for five minutes? :o

My 11 year old has been utterly hyper but we have succeeded in exhausting her. She has been swimming four times in a week, one session was a swimming gala (7 races), one was a timed distance swim (3000 metres) and two were fun sessions with inflatables. Today she is sitting in her pjs reading the Beano and quite happy to do nothing.

Ice skating tomorrow. With both girls.

Original poster

Munted · 23/12/2016 15:43

How can it only be 3.40pm???? Bloody hours till bedtime. Still fighting and bickering here. Have tried separating them, forcing them to co-operate, shouting, guilt -tripping, love-bombing... The only thing that's working is the glass of wine I just finished. Their behaviour hasn't improved but I seem to care less.

Fist bumps in solidarity

OP posts:

newbeginnings16 · 23/12/2016 16:15

I'm hitting the wine very soon !! Managed to settle mine with a colouring completion grr ..thoughts are with you

TheHighPriestessOfTinsel · 23/12/2016 16:20

mine have been interesting . yesterday we were at home all day, and they were bouncing off the walls, so today I took them to the park - cue complaints of tiredness.

Our school only finished on Weds, so we're only a day and a bit into the decompression part of the holidays. It always takes us a couple of days off work/school/clubs to learn how to rub along a bit better (me included).

NameChanger22 · 23/12/2016 16:27

I only have one child, she still argues though, mostly with me. At least with two you don't have children stalking you.

HerodZackHunt · 23/12/2016 16:37

10 & 6 here. I have had them out playing with friends until 3pm so hoping for no further bickering today. I had reached the limits of sanity on Tuesday but it has improved a bit. 24 minutes until DH joins the fray for the rest of 2016.

PinkSwimGoggles · 23/12/2016 16:43

we've been out just now on a long walk through the neighbourhood looking at all the christmas decorations.
and saw a fox and a robin.

Mol1628 · 23/12/2016 16:49

Took mine out today for a run around the park. 4yo has been a bit better. 2yo fell asleep on the walk back so wouldn't have his proper nap and he's been massively grumpy all afternoon. Can't win can you.

Blueflowers2011 · 23/12/2016 18:23

same here, they made me cry for the first time ever yesterday through all their fighting and bad behaviour, though I hid away so they didnt see. Ages 5 and 4.

I have no enthusiasm left of Christmas, I cannot wait until it's over, and somehow I have never ever felt like this at this time of year. I am the one who believes in the magic, this year it's been bulldozed away.

I even stopped filling their Advent Calendar pocket thing I got for them at around day 14, they were so ungrateful with the £2/3 presents I was adding in every night and misbehaved so much, so I said it was not coming back. And it hasn't. Bah Hambug.

Ylvamoon · 23/12/2016 18:37

And it doesn't get better as they get older! Mine are 12 & 7, I took them to the woods- only safe place I know. There is nobody watching while they turn into super charged zombies!

PrOvOkeTheGrinches · 23/12/2016 20:07

Mine only broke up today so haven't had time to drive me insane.

Though as a preventative measure I'm hiding in my bed with my iPad and my DH is in the attic playing records! DC have been abandoned in the living room and we won't hear any bickering.

Bauble16 · 23/12/2016 20:37

I only have one child, she still argues though, mostly with me. At least with two you don't have children stalking you.

Wrong! They stalk you whiles complaining Bout each other argh😭

TheInternetIsForPorn · 23/12/2016 20:40

My five year old is up a height and her two year old sibling is joining in just for kicks. It's crazy. We've done almost nothing. Just had an advent calendar each and one trip to the theatre. Otherwise, at home, hanging out. And they're still barmy.

Not long! Plus grandma is here now (my MIL) so at least she can help.

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