Older teens and changes to Christmas

[Rosbeet]

Anyone else mourning the old days of Christmas?

Put a Christmas film on to watch but they're all dispersed to talk to friends and do their own thing.

I think they will engage with some fun things tomorrow but it's just so different now to when they were little.

It's so difficult to feel the magic that was about years ago.

I miss feeding the reindeer!

I was just about to put up a post about this. My kids are only just teens but are well and truly in on the secret this year and it does take the magic away a little bit.

I am feeling a bit down tonight and I distinctly remember my mum being a bit blue around Christmas Day and I wonder if this was why?

Trying to tell myself how much easier it makes everything and not having to wake up at silly o clock tomorrow and all of that but it just a bit sad

I just realised that putting out milk and cookies doesn't even register anymore :(

I feel sad too
Mu eldest is 21 and youngest is 14.
My 18yo has just been in his room all day (he's autistic and just prefers it like that)

But I'd give anything for them all to be small and excited

I saw my FB memories from years ago. Putting out stockings and things and my heart broke a little.

It's so hard to see uour children grow up when they're still babies in your heart.

Another one here sadly 😥

Really missing the things we used to do when my kids were younger.

My only child is 19. She went out with friends tonight and has just called to say she’ll probably sleep over at a friends house tonight and come home in the morning. This will be the first time in her life that we won’t wake up and come downstairs together Christmas morning 😢

same here but my youngest (18) still indulges me in following the Norad Santa tracker! We get very excited 😍

Yeah just been a normal day here now. My boys are 16 and 18.

Not sure I’ll bother taking it off work again.

I wouldn’t say I was sad as time moves on but it’s not as much fun as when they were small.

Yeah my boy is 15. I made him put a carrot out for Rudolph and pour a Baileys for Santa. I usually have to wait til he's asleep to put his stocking out and do the snowy footprints, but might as well do it on the morn as he'll be up way past me! He's said he doubts he'll be up before midday!

Mine are 14 and 16 and have started wanting to do their own thing, although will still play a board game with us and watch a film after much negotiation. But it's not the same even from a couple of years ago.

I'm definitely mourning the old days here. It doesn't feel at all Christmasy today, and tomorrow my kids will be going to theirs dad's. It's our first Christmas apart.

My two are 19 and 16. I really miss their younger years at Christmas time. Dd16 said to me today that Christmas is just not the same once you find out the magic of Christmas is created by your mum and not elves and Father Christmas!

I'd love to go back 10 years.

Yes mine still put out a drink and some snacks for Santa.

In saying all this I’ve just gone up to find them rolling around giggling in the same bed because they’re too excited to sleep

I am definitely trying to frame it in my head as less pressure all round. And lots of the stuff I wanted to do with them when they were younger (baking etc) actually wasn’t much fun but is now!

My almost 21 year old just asked when we were putting out the mince pie and carrot so there is hope...once they get old enough to realise they need to humour the oldies anyway

Oh I'm positively embracing my teens.

I have hit the sweet spot.

They have watched cheesy films with me whilst having a baileys

They still expect stockings and are happy with the trade off of coming to parkrun with me in the morning.

I wouldn't change a thing.

I loved them as little children but this is such a funny stage - I can't be sad about it.

Ours are both at university. We carried on putting out goodies for Santa. They joined in if they wanted to. 20 year old commented earlier that a carrot in the bag she got out while prepping the gammon was a perfect one for Rudolph. Just wish I knew how to get round having to stay up until they go asleep to do their stockings. Always have them at the end of the bed!

Mine are 23 and 19 and it’s certainly a lot different now, but I still enjoy it.

DD1 moved out with her boyfriend earlier but they’re back for Christmas. We’ve had DD2’s boyfriend here most of today too. We’ve been out for a big walk with the dog to the pub for lunch and gingerbread house decorating this afternoon. We’ve had our main Christmas dinner tonight so got all dressed up and made the dining room all pretty and twinkly

Father Christmas is still coming tonight so they’ve hung stockings and the elves dropped off new pyjamas earlier.

It’s different, and I do miss the days when they were little, but we’ve made some new, different traditions over the last few years and it’s still fun but a lot less stress and pressure

I've spent a lovely day with DD (21). We watched Love Actually and a Harry Pitter film, had takeaway kebabs and she even made me a Baby Guinness

It actually becomes nice in a different way when they leave home as having them all home is lovely. This year we have two extra with bf/ gf and wait until gc arrive. All is not lost!! Hang in there.

I like it. Teens are good company can play scrabble and put themselves to bed. And dont wake up at the crack of dawn.

Mine are 18 and 20 now. One is working and the other is out with friends. My husband and I spilt earlier this year so this is very different to the kind of Christmas I expected.
Really struggling this week

I love Christmas with teens. Much more chilled
No trying to stay awake while overwrought children refuse to sleep 😂

Mine are aged 14-18 and this year is the first hear we havent had a santa believing child here for christmas (nieces etc). We dont have anyone else here for xmas so it feels a bit ‘boring’ as i like having people to stay and the sociable aspect of a busy house.
we did play some board games after lunch and watched a film this evening. Doesnt help that we are all recovering from or full of cold too.

I hear you - clinging on with DS15.

As others have said it becomes nice in a different way. I no longer have to get up at the crack of dawn and my DC are more likely to pour a Baileys for me than leave it for Santa but we have made our own adult traditions and they have become lovely people to spend time around.