Can relate to hating it as a kid too. I was actually journaling about this last night as I couldn’t figure out why Christmas was so stressful and anxiety inducing for me. It’s because Christmas as a kid was so stressful. we had to go to my grandparents house as a whole family (3 adults children + partners and eventually 5 kids but started as 3) so the morning would be a mad rush to open presents, get dressed, have dinner and make it to nan’s by 2. Auntie as always late because she had to see her in laws so we’d be waiting an hour for her getting more and more wound up because the living room was full of presents for us kids. The adults didn’t want to be there and were stressed as well which I think is kids fed off of a bit. Then because she was late, my dad, who’s house id go to in the evenings, was pissed off because I wouldn’t get there until 7 and my mum had had me all day (not my fault but emotionally immature parents for you). I remember going to bed on Xmas day and just crying because I was just so stressed and overwhelmed. Add undiagnosed autism into that and it was just an absolute disaster. I remember feeling relieved when she died and we didn’t have to go there anymore. How awful is that?! I appreciate I sound really ungrateful but honestly it was just so stressful and the next day felt like a crash because we’d been so hyped up.
on the positive, at least I know and can protect myself a bit more now as an adult