Years of browsing through holiday catalogs and exploring Pinterest boards have painted a picture of Christmas morning with my kids that resembles a scene from a Norman Rockwell painting, accompanied by the melodious tunes of festive Josh Groban carols. Many parents hold certain ideals about the unforgettable moments of gift-opening with their children, which is likely true, albeit for reasons that may surprise you. Let’s take a closer look at the actual dynamics of Christmas morning with kids.
Expectation
You envision gently waking your children with a heartwarming “Merry Christmas!” and a warm embrace. You imagine throwing open the curtains to reveal a magical winter wonderland, all while you and your spouse wear matching bathrobes as you head downstairs to unwrap presents.
Reality
Instead, you find yourself jolted awake in the dark by a blur of a child enthusiastically yelling, “Get UP, get UP! It’s CHRISTMAS!” loud enough to rouse the baby, who promptly begins to cry. You glance at the clock, realizing it’s not even six a.m. As you hastily pull on an old hoodie over your unkempt state, an unpleasant odor wafts through the air, far from anything festive. You quickly dress your youngest in whatever clean clothes you can find and let your oldest lead you downstairs.
Expectation
You and your partner settle on the couch, with the baby nestled between you. Sipping coffee, you watch your oldest savor cinnamon rolls while excitedly rummaging through their stocking. After breakfast, you anticipate a joyful gift exchange, with your child playing Santa, distributing presents one at a time, allowing everyone to share in the delight of unwrapping.
Reality
Your older child is starving and irrational, refusing the delicious cinnamon rolls in favor of eggs while simultaneously demanding to open gifts immediately. You compromise, allowing him to bring his stocking to the table while you prepare scrambled eggs. You occasionally glance back to see what treasures he pulls from his stocking. After presenting him with his breakfast, he takes one bite and decides he wants a cinnamon roll instead. Thank goodness for pre-packaged treats!
Once everyone is fed and energized, you move to the living room to commence the gift unwrapping. Your child dives headfirst into the pile, predominantly filled with gifts for him. The “snow” you hoped for appears in the form of a chaotic explosion of wrapping paper. When your older child pauses to hand a gift to the baby, you reach for your phone to capture the moment, only to remember it’s still on your nightstand. A mental snapshot will have to suffice as you ponder whether you can recreate the moment later for social media.
Expectation
You imagine your children will adore every gift, especially your older child when they unwrap the toy they’ve longed for since Halloween. You envision them, overflowing with gratitude, throwing their arms around you and making you swell with pride about their generous spirit.
Reality
The baby, meanwhile, can do little more than chew on a box, showing no interest in the toys you unwrapped for her. You realize you could have wrapped her existing toys instead and saved the expense, as she remains blissfully unaware of what’s happening. You miss your older child’s reaction to his big gift because you’re busy wrestling a piece of tinsel from the baby’s grasp. When you finally ask him about his gift, he responds with a half-hearted “Yeah, sure, thanks,” while barely glancing up. You try to shake off your disappointment and focus on his happiness.
Now, it’s time to grab a hefty trash bag to tackle the wrapping paper aftermath and return to the usual parenting responsibilities—hopefully, while donning a cozy new robe. For more insights into managing family dynamics or exploring topics like home insemination, check out this blog post and learn about fertility options at Make a Mom. Additionally, for those considering IVF, this resource is highly recommended.
In summary, while the ideal Christmas morning with children is often depicted as a serene and joyful experience, the reality tends to be much more chaotic and unpredictable. From early wake-up calls to unexpected reactions to gifts, the day is filled with both challenges and cherished moments that parents will remember for years to come.