Xmas day dur date. How can we make plans???

[lovelylentils]

I'm expecting dc 3 on xmas day. I know it's very unlikely that dc3 will actually arrive on xmas day but I'm beginning to panic about 'the plans'!
Every year it's a bit of a your parents vs my parents debate with dh and he believes spending it at home is dull (as opposed to massive family gatherings).
So, part of me feels, well, if I'm potentially going to be in hospital he might as well be with his parents for the non visiting hrs of the day. However, if we say yes to mil, the idea of going into labour in front of pil (particularly fil) fills me with dread!
Also, if I've only just given birth, my mil super expensive, clean white sheets are not where I'm going to want to be!
Parents and inlaws are beginning to ask our plans.
Any advice?

The pil & your parents must understand that you need to be at home for xmas. Your dh needs to understand that home is best as well. If he insists then he can organise taking kids to his parents whilst you are busy with your newborn or resting for the last few days of pregnancy. It sounds like he doesn't understand the blood, tiredness, afterpains, recovery after giving birth.

Stay at home in your pyjamas - exchange gifts earlier. Skype and phone and lie on the sofa eating

Wow! wasn't expecting that reaction!
With two dc already I feel I can't just 'lock myself away' I want (if possible) to still do as much of Christmas as possible for them.
I went over by 16 days with dc1 and 4 days with dc2 so I also don't want to spoil Christmas for everyone (and myself) to end up sitting frustrated hoping to go into labour.
I have decided that stopping over will have to be a definite no no. PIL are just over an hr away so driving not really an issue for them if they want to come over.
I'm just not one of those people who can relax knowing other people (MIL) are in my kitchen doing things.
Thanks for all the replies!

Say there are no plans this year I was due on 9th he then came on 22/12 we went to PIL for Xmas day I was a hysterical wreck by time dh threw my coat on and pushed me out the door into the car ........so embarrassed even now I locked myself in the bathroom sobbing as couldn't listen to 3yo niece toy guitar any further. Don't do what I did have a nice day with your Dcs at home (assuming you not in labour clearly).

With two dc already I feel I can't just 'lock myself away' I want (if possible) to still do as much of Christmas as possible for them.
I went over by 16 days with dc1 and 4 days with dc2 so I also don't want to spoil Christmas for everyone (and myself) to end up sitting frustrated hoping to go into labour.

To be fair you didnt mention that in your op at all. So do what you need to do for your other dcs

I'm sorry but I did say I was expecting dc 3!

Yes you did, I mean you didnt say it was important to keep Christmas as normal as poss for the others or that you wouldn't be able to just have a quiet one etc.

I think you should relax at Christmas as you'll be knackered, if not in labour. Can u let you dp do a lot of it so you can relax?

Right. Firstly, your DP needs to stop being a dick! This isn't about him, its about you! Your DC's wont suffer from from spending one Christmas at home. Let them open their presents and watch TV. We did relatives houses every year, and my DCs yearned for a day at home for once. Tell your relatives that they can pop by, but you won't be catering for them.
Or alternatively, send DH and the DC's out and stay at home with your bags packed.
Would you feel happier spending Christmas at your own parents?

figgy, bless you, day three is usually the very worst hormone wise. You definitely should have been coccooned at home!

I'm due 20/12 too and we haven't made any plans yet... Will plan on visiting parents and inlaws as usual (theyre very local) and think it's my parents turn to have us for lunch (we have the only grandchildren on both sides) so will just see how it goes!

I hope to goodness I'm cuddling a newborn by Xmas day but we'll see...

As princessK said - ask your DH before assuming. I'm due 3rd Jan and going NOWHERE on Christmas Day. Or any other day.

My DM is like you describe your PIL - normally 'woe is me, so I'll have to be ALL ALONE then'. I saw her this weekend, she said 'what are your plans for Christmas', I said 'I plan to be no further than 100 yards from my house, and to do a great deal of sitting down'. She laughed and said 'that's what I thought - just wanted to check!'
She may or may not come for the day, but I was totally gobsmacked at her reaction (serves me right for being a judgey pants).

Maybe your DH has no idea you'd like to stay home - tell him!

I'm due 18/12 and I'm a lone parent 100 miles away from my family so Christmas is going to be complicated whatever happens.

I asked my mum and dad if they would plan to come here for Christmas dinner, not having dinner until late so that they can visit everyone in the morning before they come up here. My auntie offered to come early and cook the dinner if I wasn't able to do it.

I thought this was the best plan as my parents are coming when I go into labour anyway and they have already told my siblings, who they normally spend Christmas with, to make other plans this year. Also it would mean that I could tell the children what the plan was for the day and they could get all excited about it, they have never seen my parents on Christmas day so it would be great for them, and the only variable would be whether we had a baby, I was a week overdue or I was in labour.

BUT at the minute I can't get any answer so I'm left not knowing what's going to happen and hoping I can avoid feeling guilty if I go into labour at a time that makes things complicated.

Christmas is such a special time and how better to celebrate than at home, with the kids surrounded by their new toys and sweets

I'm due DC2 1st Jan.

We're going to visit my family and IL's early Christmas morning and then home for the rest of the day. I want to be in my comfy clothes and have everyone leave me the hell alone, I can be polite up until 1 pm then I'll just want to hang out with DH and DS.

If DC2 has arrived by then we might have everyone over for an hour on Christmas morning, then they can all go home.

You really need to call the shots on this one, it's only one day but when you're so close to giving birth you need to be comfy and happy. In terms of going in to labour on the 25th - how far is the hospital from your IL's, would you have time to make it there from their house? Your kids will be happy to have a day to play with all their new stuff so don't worry about them.