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PatriotsGirl
Guest
I have a hard time at Christmas because I have always kept everything completely even between my two children. Which is not fair since one behaves and the other does not.
Last Christmas was sheer hades because difficult child had gotten expelled from school and ran away so in turn I returned her Christmas gifts and paid bills. Well, she called me strung out on Christmas Eve wanting me to pick her up and when I did, I took her to Wal-Mart to pick out a few things because I was not prepared to have her there for Christmas. I felt so guilty and then on Christmas day (when she finally got out of bed), she threw a tantrum because she didn't have this magical Christmas waiting for her and her brother got so much more (never mind that a lot of the bigger items he received were used but he is grateful for absolutely everything and anything given to him). Anyhow, it was a nightmare. The police were called because she was so out of control.
Now, this year, she has not gotten any better. She said she didn't want to spend Christmas in rehab (unsure what kind of Christmas she plans on having this year but who knows...).
But I wouldn't feel right not getting her anything for Christmas but I don't want to go crazy either, because let's be honest, she doesn't deserve it.
So - how do you handle Christmas with your difficult child's? Do you keep things even between difficult child and easy child? If difficult child doesn't live with you, do you still get them gifts? I am at such a loss how to handle this year....
Last Christmas was sheer hades because difficult child had gotten expelled from school and ran away so in turn I returned her Christmas gifts and paid bills. Well, she called me strung out on Christmas Eve wanting me to pick her up and when I did, I took her to Wal-Mart to pick out a few things because I was not prepared to have her there for Christmas. I felt so guilty and then on Christmas day (when she finally got out of bed), she threw a tantrum because she didn't have this magical Christmas waiting for her and her brother got so much more (never mind that a lot of the bigger items he received were used but he is grateful for absolutely everything and anything given to him). Anyhow, it was a nightmare. The police were called because she was so out of control.
Now, this year, she has not gotten any better. She said she didn't want to spend Christmas in rehab (unsure what kind of Christmas she plans on having this year but who knows...).
But I wouldn't feel right not getting her anything for Christmas but I don't want to go crazy either, because let's be honest, she doesn't deserve it.
So - how do you handle Christmas with your difficult child's? Do you keep things even between difficult child and easy child? If difficult child doesn't live with you, do you still get them gifts? I am at such a loss how to handle this year....