Overwhelmed 4 year old on christmas day

[Newmummy343]

Hi

Not sure if I'm posting this on the right section but I just wondered if anyone else is feeling the same. I have a not long turned 4 year old boy.

On Christmas day we have some family coming over for a couple of hours at 11am. Then we are away to my sisters at about 2pm where there will be 12 of us. My son is the only child that will be there. I just keep feeling worried that he'll act up and be overwhelmed and want to go home as such a busy day.

I know he's just a child but I'm worried the other adults will just think he's being ungrateful, has anyone got any tips for them decompressing. I was going to see about bringing his tablet and even if he could chill for 30 mins and have some quiet time.

Not really sure what im asking, i'm probably just over thinking things. Thanks

It depends on the adults. Until his little sister arrived (large age gap), my DC was the only child in the extended family but it didn't matter as our siblings were happy to engage with him and the grandparents very hands-on. We'd always get him outside for a walk and a play with new toys, then in to play games with someone, and then expected to sit at Christmas dinner with the adults for the first half hour and eat his pizza (DC1 has restricted eating and doesn't eat roasts). After half an hour, he could go through and play with his toys and watch TV while the adults enjoyed the rest of the meal. Occasionally he'd run through to show us something. Then hot bath and early to bed.

In my family, the child in a room of 12 adults would be the centre of attention...
Thats how it has always been with my niece who was the only child for 5 years. She loved it. Cause it was all about her

Every child and Family is different though and i hope your child coped ok

I hope you ended up having a lovely time. Mine always loved being in the busy big family environment. It’s only one day and it’s how childhood memories get made. I still miss the busy whole family Boxing Day of my own childhood.

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to give you an update. Also because he's the only child he's the centre of attention and this is part of the reason why I thought it would be overwhelming. He would never be ignored .

The day went really well, he lasted till 9.30pm and loved it all, had a wee meltdown in the morning but that was it. We'll definitely do it again next year it was so nice being with all the family. He did watch the tablet for maybe 30 mins at most to give him a bit of quiet time.

Thanks again for everyone's helpful comments 😊

To be honest 12 adults on Christmas afternoon sounds like hell to me and I'd have to go out to a playground, too.