Would you invite a stranger for christmas if it upset your kids?

Carl31

geri1965 wrote: »

Hmmm, it is a difficult one. At some point the children are going to have to come out of their comfort zone though, unless she is going to keep them wrapped up in cotton wool all their lives.

there's a time and a place for learning about life

at 7 years old, on Christmas day is not the time or place.

I appreciate these people were in need once, they don't appear to be now so much, and who knows why they were homeless to start with.

londonsurrey

The true spirit of Christmas is to be kind to people.

I don't see how it's even kind to these two men, if they innocently accept a bog standard lunch at a home with three children (they may not even like children?), then get faced with an uncomfortable situation that they've wasted their Christmas day on.

A competent host/hostess should have some idea of how to orchestrate a gathering, not force uninformed(the men) and unwilling(the children) captives together.

Treevo

I can't believe anyone would put two strangers above their children.

SailorSam

It's a nice thought but i don't think it would be just the kids left feeling uncomfortable. Even the men would, most of us are more relaxed in our own homes. Even taking them a dinner, i don't think you should do that without saying a few days earlier that you'd planned on cooking a little extra and would they accept it as a seasons sign of goodwill.

YORKSHIRELASS

Well I have some experience here - and I know that for many children with illnesses like Autism Christmas is stressful anyway, changes in routine, different people coming and going, different things in the house.

For my son forcing him to endure a complete stranger on Christmas day would just be cruel - and it would be horrible for the rest of us because he would just go into meltdown. Christmas for us is about muddling through and making things easier for him, which in turn makes it better for the rest of the family.

For kids with these sorts of conditions you cant just force them out of their comfort zone and then expect them to be OK afterwards, it just doesnt work like that.

If it was me I would get the kids to make something for the ex-homeless people and take around some nice food. Surely this would be enough to teach the true meaning of Christmas and would be appreciated all round?

Miss_Poohs

I'd put my children first - there are over 360 other days to be charitable, no question about it.

Dunroamin

I think it's a lovely idea - good for her!

andygb

Given the number of "nutters" around nowadays, you can never be too sure about anyone, so why risk inviting two strangers to spend time in your house along with your young children?
I wonder what the opinions of professional people such as the police or social services would be if they heard this was going on?
Your family, their health, safety and wellbeing are the most important things in life, and they are too valuable to put at risk.

lostinrates

I was brought up having a crowded Christmas table, Single people with no families, people with no children who didn't want to have 'non family' Christmases' and people who were far from home, usually adults, sometimes other children.

It would not upset any children I had, because they would be used to it I hope. I cannot speak for the autism aspect and that deserves thought from people who understand that, but for other children.....absolutely, I would want them to learn about hospitality and sharing at these times of years when others feel less lucky for whatever reason.

Scrapaholic

I wouldn't do it if my children had special needs and I knew it would upset them . It's a nice idea though . Maybe the men would feel uncomfortable if the children weren't happy , I would . Is it too late to offer for the food to be taken to them ?