A different Christmas this year

Our son was born quite unexpectedly on 24th December, and our daughter was two and a half years old, o.k. we were a family, but it was a bit of a frantic Christmas, with everything happening, however, she seems to remember quite a bit, especially mummy sitting up in bed doing the sprouts and stirring the custard, so I would suggest that perhaps you get your little one involved in 'helping' with the basics of Christmas morning, and let the excitement seep through.

Poor little boy and poor Mummy to be away from her "big boy".
I hope that he will not be too aware of the significance of the actual day, missing mummy will be hard enough, but maybe not making too much of it and having a REAL Christmas with all the trimmings when you are all ready will make up for it.
I know this is different but DH was in hospital in London over Christmas some years ago, quite poorly, but over the worst and came home at the end of December so we planned a family get-together for the 6th of January which we called (possibly wrongly) an Orthodox Christmas. It was great and perhaps enjoyed all the more because the Christmas "pressure" was off.
But how exciting to have a Christmas baby!!

I hope all goes well.

Thank you everyone! These are lovely and especially grannypiper - I love the scrapbook and photos idea - Mummy will love looking at that with her toddler when she gets home from hospital!

Grandson comes to us at least once sometimes twice a week for the day, so is very comfortable in our home and Daddy will see him too when not with Mummy in hospital.

A very exciting Christmas - I'll post and let you know how we all get on!
I think we will need though as well!

Dont over egg the pudding, take your lead from your grandson and be honest with him.Maybe you could buy a scrap book and tell him its for his mummy when she comes back from the hospital and let the little one paste cut up Christmas cards and photos of himself at your house, if you can find the time a written note on each page about Grandsons activities, chatter and even meals on that day means he can sit with Mummy and Daddy when he is back in his own home and show them what they missed and it will be all about him not the baby. Enjoy what will be a magical unique time. You might just need

Yes the little boy will need lots of love and reassurance. Christmas itself will not be so important to him.
As Anya said play with him and don't overwhelm him with food and presents. Stick to some sort of routine so he feels safe. Most of all enjoy the time with him. Good luck to your daughter too.

A 2yr old will not make too much distinction about what actual day Christmas will be on.

Poor little lad he is a bit young to cope with mummy being absent and a new sibling but obviously no real option.

Back in the late 70 I was in hospital about 10 days after a C section with baby no 2 and they only allowed siblings to visit twice a week. My son appeared to be OK left with his dad and my mum but he acted very sad and upset when I got home with DD, I was really cold shouldered.

I think it would be far better to keep your grandson in his own home, even if you go there to look after him. At least his dad should be around. even a child of about a year can feel very upset by not being in a familiar place.

I realised this when we returned home from holiday when DD was about 10mnths. She had been unsettled when we were away and when we put her in her high chair back home she sat there looking around and giggling. Hopefully your daughter will be home sooner than I was.

What a treat! A little boy to spoil on Christmas morning and a new grandchild too. I suspect that you'll be coming and going to the hospital a lot which will be time consuming.
The little boy will probably be awash in all sorts of emotions- general Christmas excitement, missing mummy, being at gran's house, somehow everything different. Lots of cuddles and reassurance required! You'll never forget this Christmas. Try to enjoy it. Best wishes.

A lone child, only 2 years old. He will need you to play with him. Don't go stuffing him with extra food just get down on the carpet with him and play. If the weather permits bundle him into his buggy and take him for a walk in a park.

Lots of cuddles and yes, TV to give you a break.

Your time and your love ❤️