Drop in zone for Christmas - let it out here!

[foslady]

Hi there!

OK - this may be a bit early, but.....

This is my 4th, and I still don't find it any easier. I can feel my anxiety building already (only person at the table on my own, just me and dd opening our presents together - at least the big shops have stayed away from the mum/dad/kids all grinning like idiots campaigns this year!).

So if you need to let it out yourself, have any tips on getting through aparts from hitting the Baileys, or want to share your experiences here so we're not alone this Christmas feel free to drop by!

I fancied a Baileys today... (Not the most helpful post tis true)

You won't have a miserable bloke moaning about being tired cos the kids woke too early or srguing sbout foing the washing up

My mantra this year is - don't get stressed, it's just another stressful day.

I'm going to try really hard not to get annoyed with DD's attempts to engage my attention when I'm trying not to burn dinner. She will have veg and a peeler and will be 'helping' not hindering. We will have wii games to try out, to help ease us through the long day. We will have a Xmas themed film to watch with lots of Xmas munchies to wind the day down.

And I will have copious amounts of alcohol on hand to oil the wheels, and help maintain the festive cheer

This will be my second with just kids. I think I'd better get together with some other adults (another LP family) for a Christmas walk on Christmas Day as I hate doing things with kids on our own on Christmas Day as we look really sad just the three of us - or at least I think that people think we look sad!!! It may be that they're thinking anything :-)

Protective, me & DD went to the park last year to try out her new roller skates, and we were too focused on trying to keep her upright to worry about pitying looks from anyone else (and there were a couple of others out too). This year, she'll have her new scooter to try out, so we might do the same, we might just leave it til Boxing Day. I'm going to just concentrate on DD, and never mind what anyone else thinks. Hope you get to enjoy your walk without anyone spoiling it.

I keep saying this but why not think about inviting another single parent family to share Christmas.

After it happened accidentally last year, I have vowed to keep it up.

It was better all round