https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 25 Apr 2026 15:44:22 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/missing-family-and-traditions#post-2400234 Fri, 25 Dec 2015 20:00:08 +0000 JennyG 2400234@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <br /><p><i>This comment has been deleted by the original poster.</i></p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/missing-family-and-traditions#post-2400233 Fri, 25 Dec 2015 19:59:50 +0000 JennyG 2400233@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Nutella: You are so right about it marking a shift to adulthood. Since we've always gone to my home for Christmas, we've always done what we've always done. This year it was up to me to make things happen. </p> <p>@regberadaisy: They absolutely would. They actually visit lots and have spent lots of Thanksgivings here to be with us.</p> <p>@ShootingStar: That's something that's really hard for me, when something I want to make special is kinda made smaller, like the Chinese food. (Although I could totally go for some lo mein right now.)</p> <p>@ShootingStar: @Charm54: Thanks for the hugs.</p> <p>@Foodnerd81: Thanks for asking. I'm not going to lie, some parts were pretty rough. Part of that was due to the reason I didn't go home which is because I had to go there unexpectedly a few weeks ago for my grandpa's funeral. So most of my sad parts related to that. Overall, it was ok. My DH really went above and beyond to make it special. Hope you a Merry Christmas!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/missing-family-and-traditions#post-2400120 Fri, 25 Dec 2015 14:21:55 +0000 Mae 2400120@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm sorry! I've only missed one Christmas with my family and it was really hard. </p> <p>Even this year is weird for me. My parents moved to our city, which is AWESOME. Plus my grandma passed away this last year (not awesome). As thrilled as I am to not have to travel for Christmas for the first time ever, and as excited as I am that our LO will grow up getting to have Christmas in her own home every year.... it feels weird. I am missing the craziness of travel a little. I'm definitely missing seeing my extended family (who aren't even gathering this year because without my gram to keep us together everyone sort of just scattered). We're having a lovely Christmas and my parents and brother/sister in law came over last night and this morning-- but it is just DIFFERENT and a bit of a bummer. But I'm mostly just focusing on the good-- being with family, our LO opening presents. Change is hard but eventually celebrating this way will feel normal. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/missing-family-and-traditions#post-2400114 Fri, 25 Dec 2015 14:00:29 +0000 Foodnerd81 2400114@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JennyG: how are you doing today? I hope celebrating with your little family is helping with the transition! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/missing-family-and-traditions#post-2400095 Fri, 25 Dec 2015 13:27:11 +0000 Charm54 2400095@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm sorry :( I remember my first Christmas away - it was very difficult because my family sounds like yours - lots of traditions and lots of family. I found it hard missing that. Not a lot of advice, just hugs! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/missing-family-and-traditions#post-2400093 Fri, 25 Dec 2015 13:23:46 +0000 SugarplumsMom 2400093@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I live abroad and I never realized just how different Christmas is here. Before LO came along, I thought it was basically the same, more festive even. But now that LO is getting older, I am really longing for the Christmas I know. The main difference is Santa! Kids here don't think of Santa in the same way. There's not the same "magic". Their tradition is to celebrate on Christmas Eve and have someone dressed as Santa handing out the presents. The tradition is very family oriented and so very sweet, however, I'm missing the "magic" of the Christmas that I know. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/missing-family-and-traditions#post-2400078 Fri, 25 Dec 2015 12:26:57 +0000 ShootingStar 2400078@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I struggle with this as well. This year Christmas Eve and Christmas day is with the in-laws, and tomorrow we'll go to my parents'. At first we were supposed to do a pot luck for Christmas, but then I was informed we were ordering Chinese food instead and I almost started crying. Pregnancy hormones may or may not have contributed :silly: . But to me, you do not eat Chinese food on Christmas unless you're Jewish. </p> <p>Christmas is a day to have a wonderful home cooked meal and a beautiful desserts and cookies. Plus, I can't eat Chinese food while pregnant because it makes my blood sugar go crazy. But no one knows I'm pregnant yet. So I get to bring along my own food to dinner tonight! </p> <p>So anyways, no advise just commiseration. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/missing-family-and-traditions#post-2400074 Fri, 25 Dec 2015 12:16:57 +0000 regberadaisy 2400074@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also, I think we start viewing things as making things special for the kids now. To me, Christmas is all about making it magical for the kids! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/missing-family-and-traditions#post-2400072 Fri, 25 Dec 2015 12:14:09 +0000 Andrea 2400072@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Definitely make your own traditions! We never have any other family to celebrate with so we're still working this out, too. Thankful for my little family of 4 though. On the flip side, we never have any of the associated family stress during the holidays. It's just us and we have the freedom to do whatever we want! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/missing-family-and-traditions#post-2400063 Fri, 25 Dec 2015 12:03:04 +0000 regberadaisy 2400063@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Make your own traditions!!!</p> <p>We are a little reverse in that my family is not big on Christmas so even though I miss them and hate missing Christmas with my niece and nephews. We decided when I was pregnant with our first that Christmas will be at home. Over the years we have created a lot of our own traditions. Some my inlaws choose to be a part of and some not. My family is always welcomed to come to us. Will your family ever consider coming to you?</p> <p>Merry Christmas!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/missing-family-and-traditions#post-2400045 Fri, 25 Dec 2015 11:00:52 +0000 Nutella 2400045@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I totally know how you feel! We celebrated this year sans family as mine are overseas, and DH family lives two hour flight away. Plus they don't celebrate it much at all &amp; while they do gift LO the season is without any of the other fun I'm used to!</p> <p>I read an article recently about the actual transition to adulthood being the moment you have to organise Xmas and go behind the curtain, so to speak. Which sounds silly, but I think rings true for me! The first time I had to do the meal planning and everything myself (in a town without close family) - I struggled and was very sad! But this year was lots better as LO was older. And getting used to thinking of our family unit being the new normal. But still, it's hard! Good luck this year! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/missing-family-and-traditions#post-2399730 Thu, 24 Dec 2015 13:43:42 +0000 birdofafeather 2399730@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i've come up with traditions that i want to do with DH and my girls and going to start them this year! we're going to church (something we never get to do since DH's extended family celebrates on christmas eve) and going to DH's fire station to eat dinner and visit with him. probably read the night before christmas and open a present. then my sister is here to help me and we're going to make cookies for santa and write him a letter as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/missing-family-and-traditions#post-2399721 Thu, 24 Dec 2015 13:20:56 +0000 jhd 2399721@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JennyG: Sounds like a good plan! Going to see Christmas lights is something my family always did together so we've tried to make that a tradition with LO. Last year he slept! ;) But he loved it this year. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/missing-family-and-traditions#post-2399717 Thu, 24 Dec 2015 13:05:03 +0000 JennyG 2399717@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jhd: We're trying. We are going to a special church service with a friend and then driving around to show DS the Christmas lights. We bought some yummy snacks to have after the kids go to bed.</p> <p>@Foodnerd81: That is an excellent way to look at it. I need to stop saying I'm not with my family, because you're right, I am. It sure isnt an easy adjustment. I feel like such a baby for being so sad about it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/missing-family-and-traditions#post-2399716 Thu, 24 Dec 2015 12:59:01 +0000 Foodnerd81 2399716@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had such a hard time my first holiday not with my family. I really thought I was ok until it was the day of and things didn't feel as special and I got really upset. One thing that helped me was to pick the traditions that are most important to me and kind of insist on them, then trying to go with the flow with the rest. The hardest part, but most important for me, was th switch my thinking to DH being my family, and my siblings and parents as my SIDE of the family- so it's nice to spend the holidays with my side, but no matter what I spend the holiday with MY family, Dh and now my DDs. </p> <p>But still it's a really hard adjustment! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/missing-family-and-traditions#post-2399713 Thu, 24 Dec 2015 12:53:08 +0000 jhd 2399713@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JennyG: I'm sorry! That's so hard! Is there any way you and your DH could do something fun this evening? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/missing-family-and-traditions#post-2399710 Thu, 24 Dec 2015 12:48:26 +0000 JennyG 2399710@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is the first year I won't be celebrating Christmas with my family. We live 10 hours away, but have always traveled there for the holidays.</p> <p>My DHs family lives very close, but they do not celebrate like my family at all. In my family, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are filled with family, food, drinks, and fun. DHs family doesn't do anything tonight and it is a small, much quieter gathering on Christmas Day.</p> <p>I'm trying my best to be an adult and make the best of it, but I'm really struggling. I just miss what I've always known and my family so much. Any tips or suggestions?? </p>