Christmas alone with toddler

[OakTreex]

So I'm a single parent with absolutely no support and the only family I have (brother and nieces) are with the in-laws this year. I'm 31 and do have one living parent but my mum died a year ago and my dad is basically not bothered with us.

So this year it's just me and my toddler.

I feel fine about it myself tbh, I don't think I'll bother with a turkey just do a standard roast chicken dinner and add some pigs in blankets. DC has lots of presents to open.

I just feel so guilty for my DC - will they feel lonely? Be missing out just stuck with me? They're not getting the joy of a big family Xmas and is that my fault for leaving their (abusive) dad? Maybe I should've stayed.

Just a lot of mum guilt here, wondering if anyone is in a similar boat or how your kids feel if you're a single mum.

I was an only child with a single mum, I used to have a lovely Christmas. Your basically your child's world, so I promise, a lovely day with you spending quality time one-on-one being spoiled will be perfect.

You dont need a big family at xmas.

It was just me and mam growing up at first and I had the BEST xmases (over time starting from about 8 years old it grew to became us + step dad, new siblings and a few lone elderly family members that would show up and honestly I prefered LESS people).

We do its just us now and while we now have 5 of us (so feels quite big) for over a decade there was just the 3 of us and it was perfectly fine.

Why don’t you start your own Christmas tradition so a Christmas Day walk or you spend Christmas Eve baking biscuits for Santa or buy a new game you play on Christmas afternoon. We have an only child and do go and see family but not on Christmas Day. It seems much quieter than I was used to growing up but we just try and create our own family traditions.

Your an amazing mum and the fact your toddler will have a safe childhood is probably the best present in the world.

I would do what others have suggested, start your own Christmas traditions.

Consider going to your local church or park for a walk to break up the day.

But most importantly just relax , enjoy and spend time with your toddler making memories

You've had some excellent responses here. Your DC won't know it's Christmas day and will be no more or less lonely than any other day of the year. They will just enjoy a lovely day with you, with some presents thrown in!

It sounds perfect! If you've got one nearby some parkruns are on on Christmas Day. You're more than welcome to walk with the wee one in the buggy and there's always a great atmosphere and lots of santa hats and fancy dress on Christmas Day. www.parkrun.org.uk/special-events/