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

[Twobigsapphires]

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

No dread here - just got to keep them fed and watered. Will go on a pub crawl, play games, have girlfriends and friends round, probably go the cinema if they want, we've got a comedy gig early Jan before DS1 goes back to uni. I love us all being back together.

I know what you mean op.
My twos birthdays were a let down.
They
Like xmas tho so that should
Be ok and my parents are with us so they behave better and are more sociable with them about. Good luck op .

I know what you mean, I have found that lowering my expectations has helped! DD won’t want to watch Christmas movies and bake with me, so I won’t expect any of that. We are going shopping together today, she will enjoy choosing a few gifts for family and I’ll treat her to a Starbucks which she’ll like. I’ve got all her favourite snacks ordered for Christmas Eve which will encourage her to spend more time downstairs with me, and I know she’ll be delighted with the presents I’ve got her so I’m just focusing on the positives and the bits that we can still enjoy together.

I'm working in the office all day tomorrow (actually have meetings so suits me) and contemplating going in Thursday as Dd will be off.

Driving solo to visit family (as in, taking both cars, I know dd will want to travel with DH and likely to want DDog with them). But it means I have the potential to escape if needed while there - urgent bottle of milk or just meeting someone else for coffee.

And she should be back to gym/sports training once we're home again. But I have a lot of extended family to catch up with for walks, coffees etc.

It will just be another relaxing day, no guests apart from sons girlfriend, we just do as we please like the rest of the year. We don' t buy into all of the forced joviality, it's too tiresome. Some nice gentle festive music, a few candles, we don't have a tv so thankfully won't have to sit through that rubbish, and games and baking not our thing. We normally walk over nearby woods and lake, have a nice dinner and then suit ourselves. I' m fortunate to have a good close relationship with my two sons all year round, not just on xmas day.

glad the general consensus here is - what s there to dread...

I love Christmas with my teens - they love Christmas too. Fun family time, no tantrums and tears - still full of excitement and better at helping/games/conversations films etc

I think the key with my 2 dds 11
And 13 is to let them control how much they want to partake in the fun. Dd2 will come on walks / games etc and dd2 will then decide to join in but if I try to force the fun she will will.

I have a 13 year old DD (and a younger son) This year she doesn’t want to particularly watch Christmas films with me or do any of the usual festive stuff that we once did. I’m praying she’ll still want to play a board game or two!

It’s definitely different and it makes me a bit sad, but thankfully my younger child still wants to spend time with me!

I know she’ll grow out of this and eventually want to do things with me again - but when? 😩

Not dreading at all. My 18yo will be home from uni today and I also have a 16yo. We love Christmas. Will have good food, watch TV, go for wintry walks, play board games and see friends and relatives. What's not to like?

I’m confident that DD has the presents she wants (mostly because it’s what she asked for) and in terms of her participation as long as she’s part of meals and says thank you for gifts that’s fine.

Yes OP, I hear you. My 11 year old is an easy child and happy and excited, but my 13 year old with adhd is already struggling with the change in routine, and taking it out on me. And I’m a widowed parent and DH died at Christmas time. Yay.

We’ll have some fun times though and I’m sure you will too x

‘dread’? Give over 🙄

I'm looking forward to it. We've already started watching our list of Christmas movies. We'll go into town to see the lights. We'll visit our wider family to deliver gifts.
The only problem is one DC has picked up a bug and is running a fever, and DH seems to have the same bug too. So our plans might narrow right down to staying indoors and getting lots of rest. It will still be lovely.

No dread here. 18 & 17. They don't get up early, they don't want loads of plastic shit, they eat what's put in front of them or make their own, they get a bit drunk and provide the laughs, they understand monopoly and card games and when they are bored, they piss off with their mates/boyfriends/girlfriends.

Also widowed at Christmas time. My adult kids will come to us and help with the inevitable extra taxiing, cooking and tidying. The younger ones will muck in as they like, but also have freedom to go on their phones or consoles for socialising. Walks, games, fireside chats. Enjoying each other’s company. I love it, and it keeps me from getting maudlin.

There's nothing to dread. They eat, sleep and play on their computers. Perhaps ask for a lift to their mate's house. As long as we've got nice food in, they're good.

Only one teen here- not doing much prep though, except telling her I expect her up before midday so she can help me and be dressed for when her grandparents arrive.

Why are you feeling dread?

I loved it when DC were 17 and 13. They got up early on Christmas Eve and drove to the supermarket to collect the turkey and do the last minute shopping. When I was cooking Christmas lunch for 15+ I really appreciated it.

I have loved every Christmas with my DC, they have all been different, but all have been special.

Sounds like a very unhappy, dysfunctional family life the op has if she feels dreading Christmas with teenagers is normal.

Don't be an arse. You've no idea why OP is having feelings of dread so don't take a cheap shot at her family.

Two teens here, 18 and 14. Not dreading it at all.

DD is working most of Xmas and DS is into fitness and exercise, so he will be busy.

Dinner- easy. DD wants a turkey dinner and DS wants Xmas eve KFC with all the trimmings !

SO much easier than when they were little!

Not sure what you are dreading OP. 17 and nearly 13 here and both delightful boys. I am really looking forward to spending time with them and DH.

In fact the eldest went into town and spent over £100 on gifts for us all - I suggested he might want to buy us chocolates etc but he said he wanted to buy us proper presents. I am so proud of the kind and generous boy he has grown into.

2 teens here

They are awesome

Perhaps your own ideas of Christmas ate outing your judgement op?

We have a very low pressure/low stress Christmas

Everyone is tired/ill ready for a break

My teen is 16 on Thursday and I'm really looking forward to the Christmas break with them (they are agender).

We will spend Christmas Day afternoon and Boxing Day with family and then come home and do our own thing. We both have the same sense of humour and love late nights and long lie ins. We'll watch films and Netflix and, weather permitting, will go for long walks. It's lovely them being of an age now where we can enjoy so much together.