I am exactly like you, I find christmas day difficult. I love the lead up to christmas, the fun visits, lights, shopping and family time. But christmas day overwhelms me and I also find it a huge anticlimax. How could it not be after such a build up? Once again,I'm glad you talked about it and normalised these feelings xx
I know, I always feel a bit tearful towards the end of the day, mainly because I'm happy that the kids have had a nice day and I've also had a nice day with them, but it's over in a flash compared to the work and build-up of it xx
@ClaireyV yes same here, and actually the weeks that follow christmas are really hard for me, I have to try and focus on planning holidays or trips, just to get through it. I find January and February really bleak x
Completely agree with you about Christmas and how stressful it can be, Claire! I think you do a fab job of keeping it as lovely and stress free as possible but I know even then, it is still stressful. Great vlog as usual darling ❤️❤️❤️
My 15 year old has adhd and it gets to much for him. The build up is huge then the day comes and as it approaches the end, the down spiral comes n boom the explosion comes. Its a nice day but i agree it's very stressful x just keep going cuz there isnt anything elae you can do ❤
I much prefer early December christmas excitement rather than christmas day itself. Yes to the stress of where the hell do we put all these toys?? Going to have a good sort out this week and de clutter to make room for new things x
Thats a great idea Claire giving money towards a day out is so much better than loads of stuff when you don't have the room too hope everything was ok at gareths grandparents and Lily lookrd so cute 🥰 asleep bless her 💞😘 xxx
I know exactly how you feel because I am the same, I like everything to be organised. My children are older now and my favourite part of the day is also watching them open their presents and stockings. I was made redundant in Sept so I worried that I wouldn’t be able to buy them what I want, but they were happy with what we bought, which is lovely. I just love spending quality time all together. Hope you have a wonderful, stress free New Year
I'm so glad they were happy with their presents. How awful being made redundant, I'm sorry. Hoping you find something else very soon! Spending Time together is my favourite thing abkut christmas time, and the food! Xx
So agree with everything you said Claire, this year to calm the grandkids down we all went down to our local ocean pool and had a fun glorious swim in our Aussie King tides we have at Xmas… then back for a relaxed lunch and repeated the swim again late afternoon…..wish we’d done this years ago,took the pressure right off and the kids loved the swim most of all!!! 🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺
I get you Claire am like that and found out I had a chromosome disorder lately and it is what it is my oldest just like Zak same age doesn't matter what we get him not enough but your children get what my children get which is love which is priceless your amazing Claire your doing a good job and your real which is a gift thank you Claire ❤😊 happy new year to you and your family 🥳 all the best 🎉
Great video Claire! I can completly relate, Christmas Day is hard, it's the mental load we carry as mums. I keep a notebook and make a note of what i didnt enjoy that year and then try and make sure I don't repeat the same mistakes the next year! 😅 Still trying to convince my husband to give up the big xmas dinner! I have fussy children 😂 Keep going with the vlogs they are amazing! Xxx
If it helps , I don’t remember any presents from when I was a child until I was about 8 or 9 , I expect there was a few but not a lot ,but I do remember the lovely food , church and Funtime with family x
Listening to you speak about your feelings, I completely agree and if I really think about it , one of the reasons I don’t really like Christmas. The pressure is overwhelming and wanting everything to be perfect when it’s not attainable. I don’t really know why we do it to ourselves! but we do it every year. I guess because we want the best for everybody and everyone to be happy. It is just another day but we see and hear so much hype about it for like September onwards and it’s too much, the expectations and the pressure just grows and grows until the actual day. It’s expensive and it’s hard work. Children receive so much these days, sometimes too much ( not aimed at anyone specifically! ) so much choice and advertising. I’m quite glad it’s over to be honest xx
100 percent agree with you. I used to enjoy Christmas so much when my kids were tiny babies as it was just way more relaxed and humble but now my kids are 5 and 7 and I feel like there is so much pressure to make everything be perfect and it takes away the real meaning of Christmas, as it can become very overwhelming. It almost feels like gluttony some of my Christmases have been and really I’ve only got myself to blame haven’t I ❤
Exactly. I love the festive feeling, the food, the get-togethers, but I do think there is a lot of pressure from everywhere to make it perfect, and nothing is ever perfect is it, because it's real life! Xx
Oh no, you're not to blame. We just want to make things as special as we can for our babies, but we end up putting too much pressure on ourselves. We need to be kinder to ourselves xx
I agree with you claire christmas day overwhelming my kids had melt down especially my 2 who are special need there find christmas very hard. Great vlog xx
Thank you ❤️ It's hard when the kids have meltdowns, w just hav to remember that if we find it overwhelming, they do too ❤️ It's a lot for all of us isn't it xx
Hi Claire 👋 We have not got children but I find Christmas very overwhelming so I totally understand . For me it’s because 6 years ago we had to switch off dads life support machine on the 13th December and then his funeral was a couple of days before Christmas so it’s a trigger for me I get very sad. Me Richard and my mum had a nice dinner at ours and we played Jenga and cards it was lovely just being together. Take care Louise X
Oh I'm so sorry Louise, Christmas time must be very hard for you all. I'm glad you had a nice dinner though. A good time to remember your dad and keep his memory alive xxx
This!! So much pressure to have the most perfect day. In reality it's not going to be and such high expectations on the children to be so happy all day.
I totally agree with the lead up is great, but I put so much pressure on myself to have the perfect house. I pack the month with christmassy stuff and make sure all the presents are amazing and beautifully wrapped. Then spend all Christmas day cooking an amazing meal. And then it's all over and I feel flat and exhausted. It's definitely worth it to see my little one so happy and excited but I wish I could be more in the moment and not stress so much about what I could do differently.
Aww Claire i watched your Xmas videos and you did them babies proud ❤ I couldn't see anything more you could of done and your kids are evident of that and as for Zak I remember being that age the oldest and seeing my sister get toys and me getting clothes makeup more grown up things and feeling like aww until I got it spelled out that the things I got cost money I soon realised the score and he seemed happy with what he got he did well hope u all had the best time you deserve the best lots of love hugs and kisses from stace ❤❤
Thank you ❤️ He was OK once we explained everything, but he's been a but upset a couple more times since about it. They find getting older a bit hard too don't they, i think xx
The change in routine is really tough on some kiddos. The decorations make the house different. The lack of school. Food can be different and they wonder what they are going to eat. Then there is the stuff.
I try to remember that my version of a perfect day and someone else’s are going to be different. Let’s all have the Christmas Day we want to have, whatever that entails. I’ve just heard about a trend where people are having the big Christmas meal on Christmas Eve and having leftovers on Christmas Day so they can enjoy the time with the kids without the added pressure of cooking a big meal. Mum and dad need to relax too. I thought that was a lovely idea. We need to reduce the pressure of this one day.
Love your honest vlogs when kids get older its hard . My son 18 has everything ....nice phone computer. Etc so i just got new clothes and toietries . He was happy with that .
I am the same, I dont have kids but I also find christmas causes alot of different stress and emotions, but this year my family is going on holiday and im staying home, so we had christmas a day early and honestly it felt liberating to break the rules and do what would work best for us and it was good, we also got the turkey that comes in the foil tray and we chucked it on the bbq, so simple and not mess to clean up :) Also iv been trying out your walking workouts and OMG they kick my ass! They are so tough! but really great, its great you mentioned them :) as here in NZ its been either torrential rain or far too hot to go out exercising
Aw I'm happy you had a lovely christmas and didnwhat world best for you too!! There's no right way to do it, everyone needs to do it the way that makes them happiest 🥰 Haha the workouts can be tough, I find them harder on days when I'm a bit more tired or if I haven't done them for a couple of days xx
It's all pressure & we're practically forced to be happy on that one day in the year...what's it all for? Why are we put under this pressure...it begs the question why do we celebrate Christmas?!? Its just people following what the rest of the world is doing...I feel a strong need to break free from this and just celebrate our children's birthdays which are the most important thing. Lovely honest vlog again ❤️🥰
Thank you ❤️ I love Christmas time and celebrating it with friends and family, (being Pagan it's an important time of year for me too) I just think there's too much pressure on it to be perfect, and then we feel so inadequate and overwhelmed. Trying to teach my kids that the most important thing is spending time with friends and family at that time of year, and the message is getting through xxx
I believe Christmas, aside from the religious aspect, is a day for Children. If we as parents cannot make 1 day of the year special, then something is wrong. As parents we makes sacrifices, we might not like or want to do something but we're parents, we are adults and we must put our children first .... it is not about us. It is stressful, I cook Christmas Dinner every year and every year the numbers vary been 5 and 18.... Sometimes that involves 5 different starters, several desserts and at least 5 different veg plus homemade roasties, Creamed Mash and garlic baby potatoes. Preparation is key. If you can make a Sunday dinner you can make a turkey & ham dinner. Especially when no starters and 1 or 2 store bought desserts. If you get stressed break it down into a basic Christmas dinner. You make dinners Claire and apart from a few wee extras this was no different. Therefore it shouldn't have been stressful to cook. Plus Gareth was meant to be helping (mind you I'd be incredibly stressed if my parent offered to help cook).You didn't like it as you normally don't do it...which is natural Claire. Our mindset, how we approach things makes them stressful or we just get on with it. MY Mum's Christmas dinners are awful hence why I cook every year plus my children have never liked going elsewhere. Zachri every year doesn't go to sleep to silly o'clock. The worst was 5AM and then Santa had to sort out toys after that. Every year he is stressed to the hilt, but how we deal with their stress is incredibly important. I too have been in tears Christmas morning over Zachri's reaction or words but we as adults need to understand why they do or say things. Claire there are classes and courses out there with health care workers to help parents of children on the spectrum / adhd etc. Ask your doctor or Zach's pediatrician to refer you. They help us see where they are coming from and the best way for us as parents to deal with their stress, their anger, their behaviour and violent behaviour (which is my son's way of coping with different or difficult situations). Stress begets stress which creates bigger stress...sometimes we ourselves create the stress...I know I do xx
If I asked 99% of people I knew they’d all say how stressful it is to cook Christmas dinner, even with help. It’s a lot of peeling, chopping, clear up etc. I’m sure some people enjoy it, but many people do find it stressful and that’s totally normal! And to be honest I find starters and deserts not necessary as you’re already so stuffed!🤣 xx
I think we did the most we could ot make it special for them. I just found cooking the dinner stressful and pointless because the kids don't really eat much of it - feels like a lot to do just for the adults to eat it properly 🙈xz
Totally with you on all you said gosh felt like you were me kids got over whelmed over tierd I think in my case so tears were but also happy as well so yeah over run with mess kitchen sides full off mess lol 😆 but it clears after while but my hubby cooked I preped day before he was amazing we didn't have people round and we didn't visit either lol that's what textkn and face time for 😂❤my hubby gone into work as he can't cope with bein off doin nothin for too long 😅cor Spain sounds like a good idear 😊
There's always so much stuff around at Christmas time isn't there. It's lovely but after a while it gets a bit much 😆 Sounds like you had a lovely christmas ❤️ xx
Lack of sleep is awful,I took all cards and tree down Boxing Day,my partner didn’t like it but it’s a tradition of mine on Boxing Day! Keep looking at my 2024 diary!
It is stressful I much prefer Christmas Eve. 11 of us went round to my sister's for Christmas she did so well! I find things overwhelming esp our small living room for four of us xx
@@MumLifeAndMore Mine as well and they really went all out. We toned it down once I got older and of course I helped. With my parents gone, it's only me and my son of 17, so a small but stress-free celebration. Only thing I haven't mastered yet, is to also scale back on the food meaning we just had the meal planned for Christmas day - we're German hence on Christmas Eve there is a good dinner and presents. We have lived off leftovers till today. I already knew and have been half joking that apart from veggies I don't need to food shop in January
@AnniPanniPo I absolutely love that idea, takes the pressure off the next day! I'm part-German, so maybe I can try and convince the hubby of this idea 😅 xx
Yes I think there's just too many high expectations for moms at Christmas sometimes I feel over holidays that I just am chained in the kitchen and I have just enough room to move around so I can do all the cooking and not do anything fun
We moved up to Newcastle from London 3 years ago away from family friends ect for a whole fresh start so Xmas day was just me hubby and the 4 boys .there’s so much pressure with Xmas I just roll with it now and my kids no they will get a couple of days just us as a family no work/school ect we don’t use our phones ect for a whole 2 days lol 🙈just to spend that time together before normality kicks in again that’s our version of Xmas.. u did great u and Gareth ur great parents and work so well together can’t wait for more vlogs to come ❤
Hi Claire It is overwhelming but i guarantee as the kids get older its more relaxing....think youreself lucky you dont live here in Spain as they also celebrate 3 kings on 5th/6th january 😂 but i always buy a little something for my lot then too....enjoy whilst kids are young because in the deep dark deapths of teenager years you get a grunt for thanks 😂 enjoy the christmas period...sending best wishes for the new year coming ❤🎉✨
I wanted to ask where did u get pregnant Barbie doll I been looking for one for ages my little one wants one and I can't find one anywhere. She Barbie mad as well. X hope you have good new year 🎉
I got it from amazon - will pop the link below! Sorry for such a late reply! www.amazon.co.uk/Simba-Happiness-Pregnant-Sounds-Accessories/dp/B08FT7CPMS/ref=mp_s_a_1_16?crid=1HY46D5CLX592&keywords=pregnant+barbie+doll&qid=1705299821&sprefix=pregnant+barbie%2Caps%2C86&sr=8-16
![Gucci Mane & Sexyy Red - You Don't Love Me [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/j7IBqyFKT4c/mqdefault.jpg)
I am exactly like you, I find christmas day difficult. I love the lead up to christmas, the fun visits, lights, shopping and family time. But christmas day overwhelms me and I also find it a huge anticlimax. How could it not be after such a build up? Once again,I'm glad you talked about it and normalised these feelings xx
I know, I always feel a bit tearful towards the end of the day, mainly because I'm happy that the kids have had a nice day and I've also had a nice day with them, but it's over in a flash compared to the work and build-up of it xx
@ClaireyV yes same here, and actually the weeks that follow christmas are really hard for me, I have to try and focus on planning holidays or trips, just to get through it. I find January and February really bleak x
Can I just start by saying your channel is truly superb claire it really is. Thank you for always being honest. I respect you and your family alot x
Thank you so much, that's so nice of you to say 💗
Aw thank you hun 💓
Claire, You did an amazing job with gifts for your kids! I agree so stressful for us mothers! ❤️
Thank you so much! Xx
Completely agree with you about Christmas and how stressful it can be, Claire! I think you do a fab job of keeping it as lovely and stress free as possible but I know even then, it is still stressful. Great vlog as usual darling ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you so much 💓
My 15 year old has adhd and it gets to much for him. The build up is huge then the day comes and as it approaches the end, the down spiral comes n boom the explosion comes. Its a nice day but i agree it's very stressful x just keep going cuz there isnt anything elae you can do ❤
Exactly, you gotta keep going xx
I much prefer early December christmas excitement rather than christmas day itself. Yes to the stress of where the hell do we put all these toys?? Going to have a good sort out this week and de clutter to make room for new things x
Exactly! I love the Christmas period, but we should make it less stressful for ourselves xx
Also I meant to say Gareth really reminds me of Olly Murs! And he seems like such a lovely guy xx
Haha do you think? He is a lovely guy xx
Thats a great idea Claire giving money towards a day out is so much better than loads of stuff when you don't have the room too hope everything was ok at gareths grandparents and Lily lookrd so cute 🥰 asleep bless her 💞😘 xxx
I love doing days out with the kids, it's such a better use of the money that people want to give/spend xx
@@MumLifeAndMore absolutely 👍🥰xx
I know exactly how you feel because I am the same, I like everything to be organised. My children are older now and my favourite part of the day is also watching them open their presents and stockings. I was made redundant in Sept so I worried that I wouldn’t be able to buy them what I want, but they were happy with what we bought, which is lovely. I just love spending quality time all together. Hope you have a wonderful, stress free New Year
I'm so glad they were happy with their presents. How awful being made redundant, I'm sorry. Hoping you find something else very soon! Spending Time together is my favourite thing abkut christmas time, and the food! Xx
Love how real you are ! I totally agree that Christmas Day is overwhelming, we put so much pressure on ourselves for it to be perfect x
Thank you ❤️ I'm glad I'm not on my own with how I feel x
So agree with everything you said Claire, this year to calm the grandkids down we all went down to our local ocean pool and had a fun glorious swim in our Aussie King tides we have at Xmas… then back for a relaxed lunch and repeated the swim again late afternoon…..wish we’d done this years ago,took the pressure right off and the kids loved the swim most of all!!! 🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺
Oh that sounds like a lovely way to spend the day ❤️ (I just can't imagine it being hot at Christmas time though lol 😆 xx
I get you Claire am like that and found out I had a chromosome disorder lately and it is what it is my oldest just like Zak same age doesn't matter what we get him not enough but your children get what my children get which is love which is priceless your amazing Claire your doing a good job and your real which is a gift thank you Claire ❤😊 happy new year to you and your family 🥳 all the best 🎉
Aw thank you so much 💗
You do a good job Claire a busy working mum to three gorgeous children. ❤ and a great wife by the sounds of it. I really enjoy your videos. ❤
Thabk you so much 💗
You did great, be proud of yourself. You have a beautiful family
Thank you so much x
Great video Claire! I can completly relate, Christmas Day is hard, it's the mental load we carry as mums. I keep a notebook and make a note of what i didnt enjoy that year and then try and make sure I don't repeat the same mistakes the next year! 😅 Still trying to convince my husband to give up the big xmas dinner! I have fussy children 😂 Keep going with the vlogs they are amazing! Xxx
Oh that's a really good idea!
Haha keep working on him...or go out to eat?
Thank you ❤️Xx
If it helps , I don’t remember any presents from when I was a child until I was about 8 or 9 , I expect there was a few but not a lot ,but I do remember the lovely food , church and Funtime with family x
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I agree with you Claire Christmas is overwhelming your great mom keep up good work, love watching your video your so honest x
Thank you ❤️
Listening to you speak about your feelings, I completely agree and if I really think about it , one of the reasons I don’t really like Christmas. The pressure is overwhelming and wanting everything to be perfect when it’s not attainable. I don’t really know why we do it to ourselves! but we do it every year. I guess because we want the best for everybody and everyone to be happy. It is just another day but we see and hear so much hype about it for like September onwards and it’s too much, the expectations and the pressure just grows and grows until the actual day. It’s expensive and it’s hard work. Children receive so much these days, sometimes too much ( not aimed at anyone specifically! ) so much choice and advertising. I’m quite glad it’s over to be honest xx
100 percent agree with you. I used to enjoy Christmas so much when my kids were tiny babies as it was just way more relaxed and humble but now my kids are 5 and 7 and I feel like there is so much pressure to make everything be perfect and it takes away the real meaning of Christmas, as it can become very overwhelming. It almost feels like gluttony some of my Christmases have been and really I’ve only got myself to blame haven’t I ❤
Exactly. I love the festive feeling, the food, the get-togethers, but I do think there is a lot of pressure from everywhere to make it perfect, and nothing is ever perfect is it, because it's real life! Xx
Oh no, you're not to blame. We just want to make things as special as we can for our babies, but we end up putting too much pressure on ourselves. We need to be kinder to ourselves xx
@@MumLifeAndMore Love you Claire ❤️❤️❤️
I agree with you claire christmas day overwhelming my kids had melt down especially my 2 who are special need there find christmas very hard. Great vlog xx
Thank you ❤️
It's hard when the kids have meltdowns, w just hav to remember that if we find it overwhelming, they do too ❤️ It's a lot for all of us isn't it xx
Hi Claire 👋
We have not got children but I find Christmas very overwhelming so I totally understand . For me it’s because 6 years ago we had to switch off dads life support machine on the 13th December and then his funeral was a couple of days before Christmas so it’s a trigger for me I get very sad. Me Richard and my mum had a nice dinner at ours and we played Jenga and cards it was lovely just being together. Take care Louise X
Oh I'm so sorry Louise, Christmas time must be very hard for you all. I'm glad you had a nice dinner though. A good time to remember your dad and keep his memory alive xxx
This!! So much pressure to have the most perfect day. In reality it's not going to be and such high expectations on the children to be so happy all day.
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I totally agree with the lead up is great, but I put so much pressure on myself to have the perfect house. I pack the month with christmassy stuff and make sure all the presents are amazing and beautifully wrapped. Then spend all Christmas day cooking an amazing meal. And then it's all over and I feel flat and exhausted. It's definitely worth it to see my little one so happy and excited but I wish I could be more in the moment and not stress so much about what I could do differently.
Aww Claire i watched your Xmas videos and you did them babies proud ❤ I couldn't see anything more you could of done and your kids are evident of that and as for Zak I remember being that age the oldest and seeing my sister get toys and me getting clothes makeup more grown up things and feeling like aww until I got it spelled out that the things I got cost money I soon realised the score and he seemed happy with what he got he did well hope u all had the best time you deserve the best lots of love hugs and kisses from stace ❤❤
Thank you ❤️ He was OK once we explained everything, but he's been a but upset a couple more times since about it. They find getting older a bit hard too don't they, i think xx
The change in routine is really tough on some kiddos. The decorations make the house different. The lack of school. Food can be different and they wonder what they are going to eat. Then there is the stuff.
Yes, I agree xx
I try to remember that my version of a perfect day and someone else’s are going to be different. Let’s all have the Christmas Day we want to have, whatever that entails. I’ve just heard about a trend where people are having the big Christmas meal on Christmas Eve and having leftovers on Christmas Day so they can enjoy the time with the kids without the added pressure of cooking a big meal. Mum and dad need to relax too. I thought that was a lovely idea. We need to reduce the pressure of this one day.
That is a great idea 👍 and I agree with you, everyone's idea of perfect is different xx
Love your honest vlogs when kids get older its hard . My son 18 has everything ....nice phone computer. Etc so i just got new clothes and toietries . He was happy with that .
I am the same, I dont have kids but I also find christmas causes alot of different stress and emotions, but this year my family is going on holiday and im staying home, so we had christmas a day early and honestly it felt liberating to break the rules and do what would work best for us and it was good, we also got the turkey that comes in the foil tray and we chucked it on the bbq, so simple and not mess to clean up :) Also iv been trying out your walking workouts and OMG they kick my ass! They are so tough! but really great, its great you mentioned them :) as here in NZ its been either torrential rain or far too hot to go out exercising
Aw I'm happy you had a lovely christmas and didnwhat world best for you too!! There's no right way to do it, everyone needs to do it the way that makes them happiest 🥰
Haha the workouts can be tough, I find them harder on days when I'm a bit more tired or if I haven't done them for a couple of days xx
It's all pressure & we're practically forced to be happy on that one day in the year...what's it all for? Why are we put under this pressure...it begs the question why do we celebrate Christmas?!? Its just people following what the rest of the world is doing...I feel a strong need to break free from this and just celebrate our children's birthdays which are the most important thing. Lovely honest vlog again ❤️🥰
Thank you ❤️ I love Christmas time and celebrating it with friends and family, (being Pagan it's an important time of year for me too) I just think there's too much pressure on it to be perfect, and then we feel so inadequate and overwhelmed. Trying to teach my kids that the most important thing is spending time with friends and family at that time of year, and the message is getting through xxx
Great idea regarding Lego land ! X
I eat about 15 roast potatoes most Sunday’s all swimming in gravy,and love Brussel sprouts! 😂
I must be weird, I'm very 'take it or leave it' with roast potatoes x
I believe Christmas, aside from the religious aspect, is a day for Children. If we as parents cannot make 1 day of the year special, then something is wrong. As parents we makes sacrifices, we might not like or want to do something but we're parents, we are adults and we must put our children first .... it is not about us. It is stressful, I cook Christmas Dinner every year and every year the numbers vary been 5 and 18....
Sometimes that involves 5 different starters, several desserts and at least 5 different veg plus homemade roasties, Creamed Mash and garlic baby potatoes. Preparation is key.
If you can make a Sunday dinner you can make a turkey & ham dinner. Especially when no starters and 1 or 2 store bought desserts. If you get stressed break it down into a basic Christmas dinner. You make dinners Claire and apart from a few wee extras this was no different. Therefore it shouldn't have been stressful to cook. Plus Gareth was meant to be helping (mind you I'd be incredibly stressed if my parent offered to help cook).You didn't like it as you normally don't do it...which is natural Claire. Our mindset, how we approach things makes them stressful or we just get on with it.
MY Mum's Christmas dinners are awful hence why I cook every year plus my children have never liked going elsewhere.
Zachri every year doesn't go to sleep to silly o'clock. The worst was 5AM and then Santa had to sort out toys after that. Every year he is stressed to the hilt, but how we deal with their stress is incredibly important. I too have been in tears Christmas morning over Zachri's reaction or words but we as adults need to understand why they do or say things.
Claire there are classes and courses out there with health care workers to help parents of children on the spectrum / adhd etc. Ask your doctor or Zach's pediatrician to refer you. They help us see where they are coming from and the best way for us as parents to deal with their stress, their anger, their behaviour and violent behaviour (which is my son's way of coping with different or difficult situations).
Stress begets stress which creates bigger stress...sometimes we ourselves create the stress...I know I do xx
If I asked 99% of people I knew they’d all say how stressful it is to cook Christmas dinner, even with help. It’s a lot of peeling, chopping, clear up etc. I’m sure some people enjoy it, but many people do find it stressful and that’s totally normal! And to be honest I find starters and deserts not necessary as you’re already so stuffed!🤣 xx
I think we did the most we could ot make it special for them. I just found cooking the dinner stressful and pointless because the kids don't really eat much of it - feels like a lot to do just for the adults to eat it properly 🙈xz
Totally with you on all you said gosh felt like you were me kids got over whelmed over tierd I think in my case so tears were but also happy as well so yeah over run with mess kitchen sides full off mess lol 😆 but it clears after while but my hubby cooked I preped day before he was amazing we didn't have people round and we didn't visit either lol that's what textkn and face time for 😂❤my hubby gone into work as he can't cope with bein off doin nothin for too long 😅cor Spain sounds like a good idear 😊
There's always so much stuff around at Christmas time isn't there. It's lovely but after a while it gets a bit much 😆
Sounds like you had a lovely christmas ❤️ xx
Lack of sleep is awful,I took all cards and tree down Boxing Day,my partner didn’t like it but it’s a tradition of mine on Boxing Day! Keep looking at my 2024 diary!
Oh I couldn't do it on boxing day, but I know quite a lot of people do x
It is stressful I much prefer Christmas Eve. 11 of us went round to my sister's for Christmas she did so well! I find things overwhelming esp our small living room for four of us xx
Wow 11 people! Hats off to your sister! Hope you had a lovely christmas xx
Well, it gets easier the older the kids get I find. And the thing is they will only remember that Christmas looked so easy for you...
Actually, you're right, my mum always made it look like she had stuff under control...
@@MumLifeAndMore Mine as well and they really went all out. We toned it down once I got older and of course I helped. With my parents gone, it's only me and my son of 17, so a small but stress-free celebration. Only thing I haven't mastered yet, is to also scale back on the food meaning we just had the meal planned for Christmas day - we're German hence on Christmas Eve there is a good dinner and presents. We have lived off leftovers till today. I already knew and have been half joking that apart from veggies I don't need to food shop in January
@AnniPanniPo I absolutely love that idea, takes the pressure off the next day! I'm part-German, so maybe I can try and convince the hubby of this idea 😅 xx
Yes I think there's just too many high expectations for moms at Christmas sometimes I feel over holidays that I just am chained in the kitchen and I have just enough room to move around so I can do all the cooking and not do anything fun
That's so sad isn't it, we deserve some fun too xx
@@MumLifeAndMore I know
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Totally agree on the Christmas Day , it's overated and very overwhelming xx
We moved up to Newcastle from London 3 years ago away from family friends ect for a whole fresh start so Xmas day was just me hubby and the 4 boys .there’s so much pressure with Xmas I just roll with it now and my kids no they will get a couple of days just us as a family no work/school ect we don’t use our phones ect for a whole 2 days lol 🙈just to spend that time together before normality kicks in again that’s our version of Xmas.. u did great u and Gareth ur great parents and work so well together can’t wait for more vlogs to come ❤
Hi Claire
It is overwhelming but i guarantee as the kids get older its more relaxing....think youreself lucky you dont live here in Spain as they also celebrate 3 kings on 5th/6th january 😂 but i always buy a little something for my lot then too....enjoy whilst kids are young because in the deep dark deapths of teenager years you get a grunt for thanks 😂 enjoy the christmas period...sending best wishes for the new year coming ❤🎉✨
Thank you ❤️
Wow, no phones, that is very good. I don't think I could do that lol 😅 xx
I wanted to ask where did u get pregnant Barbie doll I been looking for one for ages my little one wants one and I can't find one anywhere. She Barbie mad as well. X hope you have good new year 🎉
I got it from amazon - will pop the link below! Sorry for such a late reply!
www.amazon.co.uk/Simba-Happiness-Pregnant-Sounds-Accessories/dp/B08FT7CPMS/ref=mp_s_a_1_16?crid=1HY46D5CLX592&keywords=pregnant+barbie+doll&qid=1705299821&sprefix=pregnant+barbie%2Caps%2C86&sr=8-16