anyone else had a bad first baby's xmas?

[bumbly]

was all excited for little one

prepared loads of pressies but when both sets of folks arrived

i never saw hubby who cooked like mad and was busy with a stressed out baby

plus they all started critising me and getting in way again - so by end of day my first xmas with my baby ruined

rather depressed and down about it as i was all happy to start with...

maybe next year it will be better when baby more aware of what happening and perhaps no parents around!

Oh Bumbly sorry to hear you didn't have the best Christmas. How mean of everyone to be critical of you.

My ds' first Christmas was good, but boxing day was marred by the usual pressure-cooker situation row with dh.

How old is your lo?

I sympathise. My DS (3 months) was completely overwhelmed by all the noise and mayhem of Christmas, not helped by my 2.5 year old niece throwing tantrums, and screamed his way through Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Since we've been home again he's been an absolute angel!

we had an awful Christmas which started with him stopping breathing on Christmas eve (he's fine now) we ran out of gas, had his first tantrum on christmas day and through all of this he would go to sleep for the night at about half 11 - just wasn't sleepy before then.
Can you and your DH and LO have some time together this new year? Maybe this weekend coming up? That's what we're planning to do.

How old was baby? You were very brave to have the family around for xmas! We decided not to have anyone round for the day and glad we didn't now as she was teething all day, so spent most of it crying. Another two top teeth have appeared since xmas day and it seems to be wearing off a bit. Next year I hope will be much happier for us.

That's a shame but your lo won't have noticed , nor will he probably for a year or two yet. I think expectations do tend to get overhyped which inevitably leads to disappointment, let alone when you have a young baby and are probably still tired and finding your way. Sadly you can't always rely on family to bring the Christmas cheer (do they normally visit ?) and relieve the pressure. Maybe your dh felt he had to try a little too hard as a result.

However no point in feeling down, can you share a quiet New Year with your dh instead and plan next Christmas without family or with you making a short daytime visit to them but being based at home on your own (making sure you check for hazards in advance at their houses though or it could be even more stressful).

Oh yes.... 2.11 DS turned into child from hell - "MEme me me me me", and refused to eat xmas dinner with us, he had jam on toast. i cried at his fussyness, and DH told me that I treat my children like performing seals and that the only reason we were going to Mums was so they could "perform" for everyone. We didn't speak the rest of the evening, he slept downstairs. So yes, great effing first xmas for DD (4 months) - she had a great time though, enjoye her one present at least.

I think everyone forgets how little small dc can be. They don't understand all the fuss fully and don't know how to pace themselves (and everyone wants to gee them up all the time) so end up knackered and grumpy. Mine were in bed at 5:30 and 6:00 much to everyone else's disappointment. In a way I'm quite glad things have returned to normal and I've got my two happy boys back.

Sounds like a normal christmas to me which is why we are going away for christmas next year. cos when I said I dont want visitors on christmas day ill see everyone on boxing day I MEANT IT. I wasnt joking so just cos they all got bored they didnt have to visit me and when we are 150 miles away next christmas they hopefully will take the hint that we meant no visitors.
They all sat in my house and moaned that next year they arent going out, that my wayof doing christmas is better with no visitors while they are busy visiting me on christmas day

We had not exactly a shit xmas, but not one to write home about. Everyone ill, plans all had to be cancelled. Ds2 (9 months) has spent the whole time miserable and winghey (sp?). Hope her 2nd xmas will be better. Also hope New Year will be a good one... have a lovely time everyone!!