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Christmas

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Original poster

Christmas with teenagers, how you are preparing for it? What are you doing? Has the dread kicked in yet?

100 replies

Twobigsapphires · 19/12/2022 23:05

3 teens here, 15-19. Feelings of dread are kicking in on what the day/week/fortnight will look like. Anyone else?

OP posts:
Hesleepswiththefishes · 19/12/2022 23:07

13 to 18 here

what you thinking about as I’m not prepared…obviously there is never enough fooooood ie Pringles /Doritos

mrsconradfisher · 20/12/2022 08:18

Genuine question, what exactly is it that you are dreading? I have 2 boys,1 is nearly 18 and the other is 12 but very much a teenager already!
Christmas is not the same as when they were tiny but there is nothing to dread about it.

Cliff1975 · 20/12/2022 08:23

3 teens here, 14, 17 and 20 (so not a teen really)! Christmas is very busy with the older two working including christmas day for the 17 year old and they all have their own things they are doing with friends but I am holding on to the family times as I feel like this is a time i will look back on and miss.

Shinyandnew1 · 20/12/2022 08:24

One teen already lives here, one came home from uni last week and one is home today after uni work. I can’t wait! What exactly is it you are worrying about?

Nishky32 · 20/12/2022 08:26

Nope- two home from uni- looking forward to spending some time together- what are you dreading exactly?

Enko · 20/12/2022 08:26

Christmas with teenagers is great
They can help w cooking and baking
Go on walks with you.El
Enjoy same movies.
Get involved with it all.

they can go meet their friends In the in-between stage

My youngest is 19. And oldest 25 so we have had a lot of teenage Christmas

I have never dreaded them

Fedupofdiets · 20/12/2022 08:27

No not really to be honest, what are you dreading? DD has just come back from her first term at Uni and is now in London with her BF and DS has a PT job in a local restaurant. I find the down days are lovely and relaxing, DD and I will watch a movie or go into our local town. They do eat a lot though!

Greatly · 20/12/2022 08:31

I was slightly dreading the expense - three teens/young adults - but I've cut right back on gifts this year and concentrated on food and drink (not necessarily expensive - we are having a chicken on Christmas Day! - but having more snacks and asking them what special thing they want to eat etx). It's lovely having them home, but I think they are more appreciative once they've been a student for any length of time!

MissyB1 · 20/12/2022 08:35

One 14 year old at home (much older adult dc have left home now). This will be our first Christmas with just one dc,I’m intrigued as to what it will be like. The older ones will be spending it with their partners.
14 year old is very much typical teen now, addicted to his phone. I’m not sure he will be able to put it down to open his presents 😂
Anyway Dh and I have got champagne and lots of food, we will survive!

Dogsgottabone · 20/12/2022 08:39

I have two teens and Xmas is a lot less exhausting now than when they were little!

I don't dread any of it, apart from the relentlessness of the cooking and cleaning, but that isn't a teenager problem that's a me problem as I'm told that I'm a control freak.

The food is very easy, and from the 27th it's back to beans on toast and pasta.

I hope you have a better Xmas than you are anticipating.

Swissnotswiss · 20/12/2022 08:41

Ds has just turned 18 so looking forward to sending him out for emergency booze! What are you dreading OP?

TentoFive · 20/12/2022 08:45

I have a 17 and an 18 year old and I don’t dread it at all Confused.
They can cook, clean, put loads of washing in, fill/empty the dishwasher, set the table and walk the dog while I’m at work. They make cups of tea and warm up mince pies for me without asking.
We can watch and enjoy the same films and tv shows.
I can have peace and quiet in the morning when I get up and they’re still in bed.
They will have bought me small but thoughtful gifts.
It’s great having teenagers at Christmas, far less work than when they were small.

Runningintolife · 20/12/2022 08:55

There's another thread about Christmas and teenagers where you will find more agreement OP! Hope it works out OK for you.

Mumtqxidiamond · 20/12/2022 09:01

I have a nearly 13 and a 14 and I’d not saying I’m dreading Christmas but I am apprehensive. I think this is the first year where they would rather be in one of their rooms playing computer games together until they fall out and start shouting at one another .. I will drag them out for walks and try and get them out of their rooms to play games and watch films but I think the only thing they’re really going to be interested in is eating

QueenofLouisiana · 20/12/2022 09:03

Worst Christmas ever was when DS was 13. We’d spent a lot on going abroad, he refused to come out of his room and whinged about the wifi.

This year he’s 17, working this week and revising for A Levels. He’ll be seeing mates, chatting with us, eating too much. I’m looking forward to it.

FourTeaFallOut · 20/12/2022 09:04

No dread here. My teens are 15 and 13. They sleep in, they make food, they see their mates, go out to their hobbies, watch some movies with us, tolerate a few family days and the a few activities with relative good grace. The eldest will even babysit my youngest (9) for us one evening. I think they give me an easy ride of things.

Yesthatismychildsigh · 20/12/2022 09:05

I never dreaded Christmas with mine when they were teens. I don’t understand why you would, unless it’s a martyr type thing. And preparation was the same as every year. I’m genuinely baffled by this post.

hiredandsqueak · 20/12/2022 09:05

Only one teenager here now but her adult siblings come home for Christmas and what amuses me most is how quickly they revert to the roles they had when younger. I love watching the interaction between them. Youngest dd who, because of the age gaps, is like an only child loves all the attention she gets from them as well.

EddieHowesBlackandWhiteArmy · 20/12/2022 09:06

I’ve got a 19 and a 13, 19 back from first term at uni, 13 overjoyed to see her. I’m really looking forward to having some days off with my two, they’re old enough to take on some of the more boring tasks and 19 has a driving licence and car and is great for last minute collections or taking her sibling out of the way. Why are you dreading it? That doesn’t sound like much fun.

Fridaynightmare · 20/12/2022 09:08

2 teens here and the PlayStation packed in on Friday so no console for one of them for all of the holidays while it's being sent off.
Gutted for him. He's tried to be ok about it but it's most of his socialising and it also means he'll be tempted to wind up his sisters more due to boredom 🙄

Venetiaparties · 20/12/2022 09:10

What are you dreading?

blobby10 · 20/12/2022 09:13

Mine are all early 20s now - all came home last weekend as youngest has had a knee op and I had to pick them up so middle child also cadged a lift. Eldest works in the forces so has a really long holiday. I'm at work and come home to dinner ready, house cleaned (except for the invalid's crafting mess in the living room!) and have left a list of things that they will do to help me out. its great.

I also try to keep a little of the Christmas magic alive and never put presents under the tree until either very late Christmas Eve or very early Christmas Day. When we are at home, they all help prep the dinner then cook and serve on the day. They can also pour wine and make a mean G&T. And if they are peckish they can get their own food whilst I slumber on the sofa in a food coma Grin

MooseAndSquirrelLoveFlannel · 20/12/2022 09:14

I have one teenager and two soon to be teenagers, what should I be dreading??

Do I need to make plans for teenager christmases, why are they awful?

Champagneforeveryone · 20/12/2022 09:15

DS got back from uni yesterday. It's his first year so we're all still adapting to the change of situation.

He's got a couple shifts at his old job, will meet friends and his girlfriend will be down for a few days after Christmas. We have gifts, plenty of food and alcohol and am thoroughly looking forward to having him home for a few weeks. What is it exactly that you are dreading?

shmiz · 20/12/2022 09:17

Yes my dread kicked in this morning-
going away for Christmas
DD will be bored / moaning
sit in room on phone
upset that others are having a better time
find us irritating
not want to do anything
I’m trying to push down the dread
and think happy thoughts

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