"It's the most wonderful time of the year" It's the most harrowing time of the year, Oh the shopping was hell And the bathroom still smells And I'm out of good cheer It's the most harrowing time of the year It's the one time of the year that I dread Oh we can't wrap the gifts 'Cos the children insist On not going to bed It's the one time of the year that I dread There were meltdowns at dinner My hair's getting thinner The scrubbing is making me sore We're supposed to have guests But his brain needs a rest And there's tinsel all over the floor I've had no personal space in a week Oh they won't play outside There is nowhere to hide And my future looks bleak I've had no personal space in a week We drink wine by the barrel Abandoned the carols The Christmas Day service was tense When they did the wise men He just giggled and then He ran off with some kid's frankincense So you pick which of your battles to win They've got Slade on a loop And they won't eat the soup But at least I have gin So you pick which of your battles to win There are crafts that they hate And they all stay up late And they talk all the way through the Queen You don't give them an inch Then you feel like the Grinch When they tell you you're just being mean You're so mean But we still do it again every year Oh we can't go away 'Cos it's madness to stay Anywhere that's not here At this tense, maddening time This ambivalent family time This most(ly) wonderful time of the year! James is a freelance writer who has written about autism for years. His parenting blog is currently invite-only, but he produces occasional articles for Metro and blogs about Doctor Who at Brian of Morbius. He and his wife have four sons, two on the autistic spectrum. The seasonal background came courtesy of Free Worship Loops, and the music track was created by Sing Sing Karaoke. Read more Family Fund blogs here