Oh dear, I am really not coping with handing DS over to Ex tomorrow : (

[gilmoregirl]

When we split up we agreed to take DS for alternate Christmases. This year it is Ex P's turn. I am struggling and feeling really down about it.

Ex sees DS perhaps 10 times a year for an hour or so on a sunday afternoon. His mum who they are spending christmas with sees DS once a year. Both Ex and his mum live within one hour of us.

I tried to explain to Ex that I was finding it very hard to be parted from DS. His response was (as usual) completely unsympathetic along the lines of "yeah, yeah I have to spend christmas without him too you know".

Surely it is not the same? I am the one who is bringing up DS on my own. Ex P has never had DS overnight, DS has never even been to his house - he only ever has him for more than a couple of hours at Christmas. It is NOT the same as it is for me. I feel so alone as everyone else is with their family and I won't even get to speak to my DS for three days

How do you cope if you don't see you child(ren) at Christmas, especially if you have a "once a year wonder" for an Ex?

[MagicHouse]

Hello there - are you ok? How did the handover go - and have you decided about Boxing Day?

[gilmoregirl]

Hello again
Hope you all had a good christmas : )

I survived without DS. Apparently he had a great time.

He came back on the 27th and I did a wee christmas dinner for him here.

He does believe in Santa so I told him that Santa would do presents here too so he had presents from Santa and from me and my family to open when he got back. So glad to have him back.

[queenofthepirates]

That's really good news, hope you enjoyed some child free time to yourself as well xxx

[queenofthepirates]

Oh and go carefully on the Santa thing; I have divorced parents who both magically made Santa appear at their respective houses. My Dad's just this year put his foot down and told me Santa can't call at his house. I'm 37. Mum's not quitting just yet though

[NicknameTaken]

You did a good thing. I know it was hard for you, but hopefully your DS will be able to look back on a few happy holidays with his dad. It's nothing compared to your input, but it's great for your DS to have all the same. Probably the best - and the most selfless - present you gave him this year!