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Christmas

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When is the magical age? This is not magic!

12 replies

caggie3 · 24/12/2022 22:52

My 3.5 year old has been so hyper all day, not fun excited hyper but like a child I don't even recognise! Bouncing off walls, screaming and screeching at top of his lungs, throwing toys, demanding sugar and sweets and anything unhealthy. My parents are staying and my mum keeps saying rules don't apply at Christmas, let him enjoy the magic, he can have as much chocolate and sweets as he wants. I can just see how out of sorts he's acting and think well no clearly he still needs some boundaries as he isn't coping with the excitement otherwise! He kept picking up a huge box of toys and just tipping it all over the floor manically laughing, he's never done this before, I'm 9 months pregnant and didn't want to risk falling over them so after the third time he did it I took them away and he started scratching me!! Just really not himself today he's not been fun to be around, he's been really stressful to be around and constantly on the verge of a tantrum and expecting to get everything he wants thanks to my mum. She's acting like I'm being too strict and ruining it and doesn't understand why I feel this way. I was excited for this Christmas as I thought it was the first one he'd get and everyone says it's so magic but if tomorrow goes anything like today im just going to be on edge all day! Is this not the magic age? Is it like 5+?!

OP posts:
DelurkingAJ · 24/12/2022 23:00

DSs are 10 and 6 and I’d say peak ‘magic’ is about 5…DS1 is stressed because he ISN’T excited whereas DS2 is bouncing off the walls (and was still awake when I checked 10 minutes ago), he was equally excited last year.

(This year has been harder because it was a full week between school finishing and Xmas and it’s hard to sustain the joy that long).

JustKeepSlimming · 24/12/2022 23:02

Yeah, I think 4.5/5 is much better than the toddler years at Christmas! They have a wee bit more self-control and self-awareness, and it's all a bit more "solid" in their minds - I found that in the earlier years they just went generally bonkers because they knew something was happening, whereas once they're a bit older they're more specifically excited about certain things.

Stompythedinosaur · 24/12/2022 23:18

5-7 is peak age I think!

That said, I'm enjoying my Christmas with my older dc who are probably just playing along.

Blackeyesbluetears · 24/12/2022 23:20

We had Christmas today. My boys are nearly 5 and nearly 6. This has been the best Christmas so far imo

CampervanKween · 24/12/2022 23:25

21 is a great age.... just watched 2 Christmas films together with a nice bottle of red and some chocolate biscuits.

endlesswinter · 24/12/2022 23:29

5-7 is peak Christmas magic.
But dc 14 have be loads of fun today and watching home alone films together and with us parents.

Rotherweird · 24/12/2022 23:30

I am having a lovely time with my 14 year old and was just thinking how stressful Xmas is for young children and their parents. Hang on in there!

33goingon64 · 24/12/2022 23:31

My DSs always act up when the GPs are around and yes they have too many sweets which doesn't help. Everything will be fine come boxing day.

loridee · 24/12/2022 23:31

CampervanKween · 24/12/2022 23:25

21 is a great age.... just watched 2 Christmas films together with a nice bottle of red and some chocolate biscuits.

That sounds ideal

RewildingAmbridge · 24/12/2022 23:32

DS is just 4 we were out all day including for late lunch/dinner. Came home hot chocolate Christmas film, relax in front of the fire, bath with a Christmas bath bomb, bed. Went out like a light. I've found it we keep him at home he goes nuts

GreenLeavesRustling · 24/12/2022 23:32

Having a great time with my DS 13 and 8
maybe the last magic year of believing for us, but older DS is playing along like a beaut.
I can recommend a long long run on the beach on Christmas Eve for excited children of any age

Champagneforeveryone · 24/12/2022 23:37

We were in the pub earlier and both commented that Christmas is truthfully much more fun when DC are older.

DS is home from uni (he's in his first year) His present buying has needed some assistance as he's come home and worked pretty much all the time, but I hope this means he'll know to be better prepared next year.

So far we've ate, drunk and laughed together. He's gamely hung his stocking on the door and faithfully promised he will be asleep very soon. Tomorrow is visiting friends in the pub, eating and exchanging a few small but meaningful gifts.

And we definitely won't be up at 5am!

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