Christmas and Covid- WWYD

[Alakazam8]

Sorry if this is the wrong place to post this wasn’t sure where it would fit!

So usually would go to stay with family about an hour and a half away, as just me and dd (11) at home. Would stay with my mum who has been shielding due to age & health and although she could form a bubble with us is saying she is not happy to do that as dd could pick Covid up at school etc.

She is quite anxious about Covid for obvious reasons and I don’t agree with her decision but accept it.
I don’t drive so can’t just drive over to see everyone and couldn’t stay with my brother or sister, no room!
The usual things we do here in the run up won’t be happening so that will be different too.

I’m worried that Christmas for DD will not be a good one as we risk not really being able to see/spend time with anyone. I don’t know what I could do to improve the situation really.
Would welcome any ideas for how to make things better when it will all be so different from the christmases dd is used to.

Your father died of Covid? A positive Covid test?

It’s no wonder your mother is anxious

@Freddiefox

Hi op we are in a similar position my list so far is: Lots of garden lights Patio heater/fire pit ( although terrace house so worry about the space and smoke for fire pit. Books/audible Movie nights Lots of big throws Planning on trying to get another sofa so space for us all. Fairy lights for decorations Baking Paint by numbers ( the adult lion ones) A Forrest with light display type of thing Nice food that dc’s like

This is Christmas for my children every year. We never go travelling. We have a tiny family.

And every year it’s lovely

And this year will be NO different

Christmas for DD will not be a good one as we risk not really being able to see/spend time with anyone.

How about making it a special one for 'just us'. Children will pick up how they feel about this from the people around them.

Starting to talk about how you will make it a special time together. How it's a pity that you can't see DGM, let's make a special card to send her, to let her know we are thinking of her.

She is also old enough to get involved in helping those less fortunate. A reverse advent calendar, donating one item of good for the food bank. Have a clear out of toys she has outgrown to be donated too.

Let her get involved in decorating her room, maybe even the whole house, together.

Cooking together is another Christmassy thing to do. Mince pies, gingerbread. Could she be responsible for the first course of your Christmas meal. Choose, cook and server it? I'm thinking smoked salmon, slice of lemon on toast

The stand out moment of my life that I look back on were always the things I was allowed to do things the grown ups did. Now of course I can see that it wasn't such a 'help' for my mother, more extra work to let me help but they are the things I remember fondly.

By all means come back here to vent but with her, it's all about how lovely it busy I have a daughter growing up to do these things together.

Just a thought - a lot of people seem very upset and hung up on the fact that Christmas will be 'different' this year, but is that really such a bad thing (apart from the reason it will be different, of course)? It presents an opportunity to do something new, start a new tradition, alternative food, etc. You never know, you may find you prefer it and the new traditions stick!!

It’s just one year - seriously everyone is making a big deal about it - it’s kinda tough shit - we just have to have a toned down day and it will be a bit different. Stop putting pressure on yourself - she’s old enough to understand.

To be honest your daughter might enjoy being at home for a change - having a quiet one - I know once I hit about her age I hated having to go anywhere - like being home with my presents relaxing - watching films/eating junk food.

There's this thread running for ideas about making
Christmas nicer this year:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/Christmas/4021821-If-restrictions-persist-well-still-make-December-lovely-ideas-thread?pg=1

Children never think that Xmas is crap unless they spend it with lots of people, unless an adult puts the idea in their head. There must be plenty of nice things you can do together on the day.