Tips for surviving first Christmas alone with kids

[BlackMirror]

As a single parent. I'll be with the kids on my own in the morning then me and ex will go out for early dinner with kids (it's ds' bday too). Just feeling wobbly about it all tbh.

A couple of ideas....

Buy some lovely food for a special breakfast?

Go for a walk in park with hot chocolate in flasks and mince pies?

Or just open pressies, stay in pjs and watch Christmas telly?

I know I'll be ok physically, it's more mentally
Lovely ideas thank you

When I feel wobbly, I find it really helpful to try and ground myself, to sort of “come back to the present”. There’s a mantra that I like which is, “five things”.

www.therapistsb.com/blog/post/5-4-3-2-1-coping-technique

Will the kids be with you on Christmas Day night after your meal out? Plan something nice for when you get back. Few nice nibbles for tea if you've eaten lunch early & play a game with the kids (or with some of their toys depending on age), then have something special planned for you. Treat yourself to a new DVD/book/sweets/chocs/bubble bath/new pj's/bottle of your favourite booze (ideas you could ask for from family members if they buy you gifts) & when the kids are in bed, have a relax & some you time.

Your post seems sad don’t be. Make new traditions. Do you do stockings? Have a different breakfast set the table the night before with crackers and party poppers - this will get you off to a good start. Save a present or the stocking for when you get back home as something to look forward too. Have something special for you, a nice bottle of wine or nice biscuits. Do a picky tea and get the children to help. I promise you you will be fine, it’s one day it will be okay.

Blackmirror this is my first Xmas single with kids too (husband having walked out this year after 21 years and OW materialising).

He's coming to see them open their presents on morning and then going. He has them boxing day.

I'm hoping him leaving after seeing them open stuff doesn't bring them down. I'm hoping that the same doesn't bring me down. I'm still getting over the shock of it all and know Christmas will be hard as first not as a family as we once were.

In the run up I've booked pantomime, visit with Santa and breakfast with Santa. Breakfast with Santa is Xmas eve. I do Xmas eve boxes too. On Xmas morning kids will open stockings in my room once they wake as normal. I haven't decided about lunch yet. Can have parents over or can do our own early lunch and then spend afternoon and evening at parents. Hoping to stay busy with kids so I don't wallow in self pity or become bitter thinking about how he's ditched us to spend it with his OW and her kids

Thank you for the kind replies. Ex won't come over to open presents I don't think.

Neverexpected - I'm sorry you're in the same situ. My kids are 2 and 5 so will definitely be going to the grotto and stuff like that. I guess I would feel better if I had family nearby. I've booked panto with a couple of friends and kids too x