Which is more special?

Batman2017

Hi,

We have a baby on the way which is due in October. Sadly I have been rejected my annual leave request and told I have to work a 12 hour shift Christmas day which is disappointing as I thought I may receive some dispensation as this will be our first born child first Christmas. I know this has been the case in the past with other staff who have had children.

Looking at my rota if it stays the same then I will be on a day off next Christmas when baby will be 14 months. My question is if you had to choose, which Christmas did you find to be more special? The first or second?

martinthebandit

It's a baby, neither it's first or (at 14 months) it's second will be no more special than any other day.

nimbo

Christmas can be when you want it to be.

I know a couple who have two children and they postponed Christmas until boxing a day. Grandparents bought into it. Looked after them 'Christmas eve' and they all did Boxing Day Christmas. They'd recorded relevant to programmes. Turned the page in the tv guide. Opened presents. Explained to people thank you phone calls would be a day late and why...

Babies are too young to get the concept of Christmas. My sister made a massive deal of my nieces first Christmas and she played with a sparkly bow off a box not any Of the presents anyone had bought her...

Nephew is now three - two at Christmas and to be honest once he'd opened one present he loved his day was made and the rest of the presents could have lasted another month.

Make your own traditions. Chose what you want to do and schedule it so it works for you.

gettingtheresometime

I found the 2nd to be more magical - & my son was also born in the October

Spendless

My babies were born in March, so at a different age in December, but I'd also say the second.

For the first Christmas with our eldest, me and DH opened up the babies presents and had to buy sepeately so someone was surprised.

By the time of the 2nd one, baby was at least capable of pulling some of the paper off!

But you say 'if' your rota remains the same. Does that mean there's a possibility it might not and you'll be working both this and next Christmas.

Batman2017

Thanks Nimbo, We will deffo do something along those lines.

gettingthere' What did you find more magical about it? Was it because they were more aware and could play with the toys?

Saffagal

A 2 month old baby isn't the slightest bit interested in opening presents, nor capable of doing so. To them, the first Christmas will be just the same as any other day at that age - feed/ make dirty nappies and nap.

By 14 months, they will be able to rip paper and will have an interest in certain things so definitely more aware and will also have an interest in the decorations (which is a whole different level of fun!)

But honestly, Christmas is about spending time with the ones you love, making special traditions and memories. Whichever day you pick to do so, it will be just that. We pick a day in Christmas week when we're both off and not going round the inlaws and that is our "Christmas Day".

System

Since the baby wont know anything about Christmas for the first couple of years its down to you as to decide what is more special to you.

rach_k

A 2/3 month old won't know or care that it's Christmas, or if they do realise it'll only be because they're cross that you're changing your routine! If you have to choose, do Christmas a day late this year and celebrate with your toddler next year.

gettingtheresometime

Batman2017 wrote: »

Thanks Nimbo, We will deffo do something along those lines.

gettingthere' What did you find more magical about it? Was it because they were more aware and could play with the toys?

Exactly that.

At 2 months all he wanted to do was a case of eat sleep repeat. nothing has changed in 24 years lol

lika_86

If I were you I'd work the Christmasses when your baby won't know what day it is or why it's special now to give you leverage when it is older, although I reckon there are probably a good few years when you could fool a child into thinking Christmas was any day.

I must admit that I used to get annoyed with colleagues who had babies who got first dibs on Christmas, especially when my mum had just been diagnosed with cancer. Although it may have happened in the past, don't assume that others don't have a desire to spend actual Christmas day with their loved ones, children or not.