Additional Needs

Elfing hell…

Posted by Sarah Brisdion on 4th December 2019 Additional Needs, Advice & Support, Disabilities

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Is it just me or is anyone else feeling completely inadequate by not having an Elf that does naughty things at night? (Hmm that sounds a bit wrong, but you know what I mean!).

Between therapy and hospital appointments, working, housework, homework, housing adaptions and finding the time to actually do the Christmas shopping, I cannot even contemplate adding something else to the list every evening.

Eating and sleeping would be good if we could fit it in! How are people even finding the time?

So I’ve told my kids, the reason we don’t have an elf (or two) is because they eat all the chocolate in the house and if that happened, we couldn’t afford to replace it so there wouldn’t be any for them.

Strike me down, I’m a terrible parent. But no. Just no. I can’t.

I’d like to blame social media, but that wouldn’t be fair. Because even without seeing what other people’s elves are up to, the kids would still hear about all the shenanigans from friends.

They would still feel like they were missing out.

And…putting the Christmas tree up. Is it just me or has everyone put them up early this year?

I’m being hounded by my kids and feeling dreadful. But we don’t even have a room that is not like a building site, or full of furniture that has been moved out of the rooms that are being plastered, to put a tree in!

Don't get me wrong, I'm hugely grateful that we are able to have adaptions, but believe me, I’ll be sooooo glad when they are finished!

Not just for my son's mobility, but for my sanity. For now, I just can’t put up the sparkly Christmas stuff yet!

I think the stress of life is compounded at this time of year for some of us isn’t it?

The guilt factor just seems to ramp up a gear (or six).

As if we don’t already feel inadequate enough for the rest of the year, the pressure of ensuring your family has the perfect festive season is very real.

Even when you don’t really do a big Christmas. I wish I could relax and enjoy it more.

My daughter even said to me last night: “Is it going to be an awful Christmas this year mum?"

Pass the (mulled) wine.