Christmas Hugs

[Blendingrock]

So, it's nearly Christmas and I know a lot of us are stressed in a zillion different ways. Family members not getting on, DP's not helping and/or being willfully blind to their kids antics, kids playing the old "divide and rule" game, financial pressures... you name it, we're dealing with it.

With that in mind, I thought I'd share some of my favourite mantras..

This too shall pass
Smile and wave boys, smile and wave
The buggers may get me down, but they can't keep me there!

and if all else fails
Sod this... where's the wine!

In all seriousness though, when it all gets a bit much, take time to breathe, find peace for just 5 minutes before launching into the fray once more.

Where-ever you are, what-ever your circumstances, may you find joy and peace this Christmas. May you be surrounded by those you love, and may those you find hard to love find themselves somewhere else

Hugs to all and Merry Christmas [santa]

I'm doing all the cooking... So I'll be too busy to notice any grumbles lol

I have a baby elf outfit for ds it's hiddeous and will make me smile most of the day ..plus moet!

This is bloody lovely, @Blendingrock, thank you.

Didn't realise how much I needed to hear it until I read it.

This step-stuff can feel really lonely, and it's amazing how much of a difference it can make to know you're not, even if we're all total strangers offline.

Raising a glass to you all

Merry Christmas to you too! Very lovely of you. Good luck I hope all of you make it through.

I’m with my family and both my kids, and not step kids. So a totally step free Christmas! It’s bittersweet as DP (or really Ex DP) is staying with his sister back home. We still live together so our son is a bit confused as to why he’s not spending Christmas with us. He’s not spending most of it with any of his kids. (His daughter’s always have Christmas Day with their mum).

Blendingrock I've seen so many of yr comments on this board over the last year or so, you are very wise! I've never gotten around to posting for advice on my blended (or not so blended!) situation but one day I will and I'm sure you will have words of wisdom for me. Thanks for yr msg here too. DP and I are making the most of it this year with just one DC with us; when we should have had all 4.....My DS14 has gone to live with Disney Dad and won't speak to me. DP's psycho ExW booked a holiday for her and 2 DCs with no consultation, even though it was supposed to be his year to have them. So it'll be a quiet one. Wishing you happy holidays too and others on the step-parenting/blending rollercoaster.