Do I book a room at a hotel for xmas near harefield now.....

[misdee]

and have xmas dinner at a hotel with the girls, or leave it and keep my fingers crossed that peter will (very unlikely) be home for xmas?

book it, you can always cancel.

yes, plan for the worst and hope for the best.

What does Peter think ???

he wants me and the girls to spend xmas day with him, which i would do, but that would mean the kids missing out on xmas dinner etc, so i thought book a hotel, so can go visit all day or till the kids get stressed, go for xmas dinner, come back to say goodnight.

I think if you can afford the hotel then book it. That way you have a plan in place. You can work towards having as much time with Peter as poss - both for him and the children. Hotels normally are a bit special at Xmas - make it an adventure for the children - sorry not sure how old they are - know you have a baby.

Can family come to you at the hotel?

You could make a big deal of writing a special note to Santa reminding them you are at hotel - maybe he could leave some "extras" there?

I have to say Misdee - I take my hat off to you. You cope SO well. I know it must be so hard at times being supportive to both Peter and the childrena dn just keeping going. And please don't tel me that sometimes you don't cope so well - so what - that is allowed.

Just wich I could help in some way.