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Christmas

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Original poster

How can I stop my DDs getting up at 3.30am on xmas day this year .....

15 replies

sandyballs · 13/12/2009 22:31

..... by lunch time last year me and DH were exhausted.

'Father Christmas' puts their stockings in their room, I'm thinking maybe if I left them downstairs it might help. I wonder if they wake up slightly and see the stockings and then wake up fully rather than dropping off again.

OP posts:
Modestlyglazed · 13/12/2009 22:32

Put them to bed at 3.30am?

PotPourri · 13/12/2009 22:35

Stocking downstairs, and make them come into you to check if Santa has been - my dad used to go down adn check in the morning. I truly had the fear of God that he wouldn't have been and wouldn't come if we went down before he'd arrived!

Also, practically, you coudl put a timer on a lamp in their room to let them know that the coast is clear - even say it was FC who sorted out light...

displayuntiltwelfthnight · 13/12/2009 22:39

why bust a gut trying to change something that's inevitable. It's Christmas day fgs!
If the stocking's in their room, they'll see it and want to wake up, if the stocking's downstairs they'll want to see it and wake up.
Unless you're happy for FC not to deliver the stockings until around 4am then if they wake earlier, they can be shusshed back to sleep with warnings that FC can only come if they're asleep (of course this means you have to either stay up all night or go to bed and set an alarm for 4am...)you're better off just accepting it and go to bed really early to make up for lost sleep later!

Original poster
sandyballs · 13/12/2009 22:39

at Modest - might be a good idea! They'll get up about mid-day!

There are some good ideas there Potpourri.

I'd understand it if they were tiny, but last year they were almost 8 and that was the first year they did this!

OP posts:
Original poster
sandyballs · 13/12/2009 22:41

It's just so early Display - I can't get my head round it, I see what you mean though, it isn't the end of the world, and it is xmas! But 3.30!! Particularly when we are entertaining everyone at our house so less of a chill for us. Or should I say 'me' as DH manages to chill completely.

OP posts:
displayuntiltwelfthnight · 13/12/2009 22:42

oh I didn't realise they were that bit older!
In that case lock them in their rooms and let them out only after they've opened all the stocking presents and gorged themselves on choclate coins

I am psyching myself up for an early start this year and glad to have relatives over on Christmas day who can take the pressure off once dh and I can't take anymore!

chamaeleon · 13/12/2009 22:43

How old are they? If a note arrived from Santa saying he was going to be a bit late this year so he was warning them not to get up before 6 would that work? You might need to set it up carefully, leave it in their room at night, shake some glitter around etc. Def dont put stockings in rooms.

Original poster
sandyballs · 13/12/2009 22:49

Oh I like that idea Chamaeleon, that might work. One of them is already questioning how Santa can get round the world in one night so a note saying he is running late will be right up her street!

They are nearly 9!

OP posts:
serinBrightside · 13/12/2009 23:02

Last year it was our 11yr old who was dancing around our bedroom at 4am she doesn't even believe in FC.

canihaveapeeinpeacepleasebob · 13/12/2009 23:05

do what i do for all major events when i don't think they'll sleep as their excited - lie!
Tell them it's the day after and there's another sleep after this one.

CherryChristmasEveryone · 13/12/2009 23:12

lol! i am the first up in our house on christmas morning! i have never been able to sleep much past 6am that day (manage it every other day of the year lol). so i get up at 6, go and have a coffee (or 6) then get the kids up about 6.30-6.45am.

WynkenBlynkenandNod · 14/12/2009 00:22

Stockings downstairs, tell them they can't go down until 6am then put their clocks back when you go to bed.

MilkNoBrandyForSanta · 14/12/2009 11:39

Stockings downsatirs, your or DH go down to check then when the coast is clear they can come down...worked every year for us until the age of 21

my dad used to do this and me and my brother would be straining over the banister to see downstairs...although you couldnt see downstairs

He used to ise big shells to make the sound of hooves as he "herded" the reindeer out

I remember the year he "argued" with santa because there was no presents (cue tears from me and bro) we came downstairs and there was LOOADS including a playhouse wed wanted for two years

I love my mum and dad

nannyl · 14/12/2009 12:01

when i was little quite simply we were not allowed to get up until 7am

stockings were in room, and full, and i would wake about 5 / 5.30 ish, but because we had to open in mum and dads bed and we were not allowed in until 7am i lay there awake as the clock ever so slowly krept towards 7am!

MilkNoBrandyForSanta · 14/12/2009 12:04

Why does time go backwards on xmas morning!

seriously it does!

Time will never ever ever go slower then it will as a child on xmas moring when you have to wait for the parents to get up!

Or fraNKLY for me...now...at the age of 21

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