Shift workers, how do you organise your Christmas?

[Monr0e]

I am due to start a new job in October with the NHS. I will be working shifts at the hospital which will include evenings, weekends and nights. It is almost guaranteed that I will be working at some point over Christmas day. I have two DC's aged 13 and 9. 13 year old DS is pretty understanding however DD is upset at the thought of me not being there on Christmas day. I am trying to think of the best way to organise things so it still feels special for them (which I'm sure it will) but also so that I still get some Christmas spirit too and quality time with them.

Just wondering how those with DC's who work throughout Christmas organise their days and how your DC's find it, thank you

We used to have a christmas day on my day off. Then actual Christmas day we would have a buffet.

We just move Christmas! My kids (9+6) know that Christmas is whenever I tell them it is! It was lovely one year when I came home home on Christmas Day night ready to put stockings on the ends of their beds - everyone else's Christmas was over but ours was yet to begin!

Move Xmas. Father Christmas comes a day (or two) early for the kids of parents who have to work. Practice run.

As a grandma I'm still organising Christmas around shifts. When my daughter was growing up I made the most of days off 9n the run up by doing Christmas activities which changed depending on her age and really made the most of days off. On the day itself I always made sure to keep half her presents back so we could open them together and she had something to look forward to when I got in. we spoke on phone during my breaks and sent pictures. On my first full day off after Christmas we would have a house day, I'd cook a dinner watch movies and again I would have one present kept back for this day, a mini Christmas day, and it kept Christmas going a bit longer as I find its all over far too soon now days. As a grandma now I'm still juggling, I'd love to be cooking Christmas dinner or a boxing day lunch and having everyone over. This year I've booked Christmas lunch out, though I'll be shattered as I won't have had any sleep. I plan to make new year special as I'm off and it'll be 2020 so can do the whole/granny/mummy hosting then. I'm more a Christmas person but you have to adapt around the job. As a grown up now my daughter doesn't resent the Christmases that I had to work but enjoyed the fact is spread it out and realises everybody does Christmas differently. So my advice is make the most of days off and recreate Christmas again just after.

Thank you, I think the moving things around a bit will have to be the answer. Our favourite time is Christmas morning with the stockings but if I'm on an early I've already mentioned we may have to speak to the elves and see if they will bring them a day early. DD seems much happier knowing that it might mean presents on more than one day

I will do as you suggest Mrsfussypants1 and make sure to make the most of the days off I do have. Just hope I'm not working every weekend on the run up so we can have some fun family days together.

I'd never considered moving the day! My dh and I both take it year about...last year I did stockings with the kids and a couple of gifts, but then had to leg it to work. This year I'm hoping to get it off as we have no family and dh wont be home from his night shift till 11ish... he will miss stockings and Santa. We are all a bit gutted. And hopefully he can stay off but might have to go back for 3
We will have to write a magic letter!! Or something

I got up a 04:30 and woke the DCs at 05:00 so we could do FC stockings before I went to work and did big presents when I got back.

I used to move the day when the dc were little, but not once they knew.

I used to try to get an afternoon shift, so I could get up and do stockings and have an early Xmas lunch before rushing to work. Dp would then get to play with them for the afternoon and do bedtime, and we would have a nice chill when I got home.

I have always tried to get Xmas eve off, and we have a family day then.

I honestly think that you are best presenting it as a normal thing that happens. Your dc will be fine, I am sure. They are more likely to be upset because they think you are upset.

Depending on when your shift is or the duration of your shift could u set an activity or challenge for them to complete while your working so it will keep them busy and keep their minds off the fact your arnt there. Then do the rest of the day as normal.

Hopefully you get an afternoon/evening shift so the morning can still be magical.