Unfortunately I don’t have that pregnant belly to blame for my lack of equilibrium these days…
Anyway, if you’re a Northwest parent not experiencing a bit of cabin fever, this post is not for you! This post is for those of you who have a little or a lot of snow and don’t know what to do about it. Rather, don’t know how you’re going to make it until 2009 with children starting winter breaks early and Starbucks closing much earlier than they are supposed to. The nerve.
I am so not kidding. I ventured out this evening to stock up on my holiday appetizer supplies before another big freeze and 2 of the 4 Starbucks in my town were closed! I don’t know about the other two stores, maybe they were open, but I wasn’t going to put my family in danger to find out…not even for a gingerbread latte.
So if you’re like me, latteless, frazzled, feeling cooped up and getting a generous dose of children, maybe these tips will be helpful. Maybe not, but you can’t say I didn’t try.
A Mom’s Guide to Surviving the Winter Weather:
- Yes, it’s cold outside. Tip #1 involves a little work on your part which will reap great rewards later. It involves doing laundry. That’s right, laundry. Make sure your dryer is empty while the kiddos are out playing in the snow. That way, when they come in, you can incorporate what I like to call the “peel and dump” system. Each child peels off his/her snow clothing and dumps it into the empty dryer. After all children have done this, press start and dry the snow clothes. Ta-da! Warm, cozy and, most importantly, dry clothes to put back on after a break inside!
- Tip #2 is to actually go out in the snow with your kids, at least twice a day. I know, I know, it is much easier to watch them with your hands wrapped around a mug of vodka hot cider from the living room window. But if you go outside, move around a bit, breathe the crisp air, you will feel much better. You might even get a tiny dose of Vitamin D from the sliver of sunlight coming through the snow clouds.
- Tip #3 involves games, any kind of games. Put your patient hat on and play some games with your children. You have nowhere to go and nothing to do anyway, so why not take advantage of this down time and engage with you kids. I don’t care if you’re playing Guitar Hero or Scrabble, the point is to play. Have fun.
- Tip #4 is to relax. Yes, there are very few days left before Christmas. Yes, you probably did not check everything off your “to do” list before the snow storm hit, it’s okay. Give yourself a break – you have the perfect excuse to not overdo it this year, besides the horrible economy.
- Tip #5: snuggle. Give extra hugs to your kids and, if you can stand it, your spouse. What you will get back in return will surprise you.
- Tip #6 is to walk. Don’t just stay confined to your yard or neighborhood. Take this opportunity to walk further (but be safe about it) around your neighborhood than you normally do. Talk to neighbors (as long as they aren’t crazy) you might not get the opportunity to talk to during the rest of the year because of your busy schedule. Say hello to passersby. Smile a little extra. Take the kids with you and show them that you are all a part of the larger community.
- Tip #7 is to give. People spend a lot of time and effort tracking down the perfect charity to give to. Why not take this opportunity to give as locally as you can? Locate the giving tree in your nearest supermarket, ask store owners if they have a local charity they give to, call your local food bank and ask them what kinds of foods they need the most. Give what you can, it’ll make you feel good.
- Tip #8 is to be prepared. If you must travel, make sure you have plenty of supplies in case you get stuck on 1-90 somewhere between Seattle and Spokane. Never mind, I hear most of the streets are closed in Spokane, so I’d avoid going there all together. But in the off chance that your grandmother lives there and you cannot avoid it, bring water, snacks, blankets, boots, outerwear, hats, traction helpers (like sand of kitty litter) for your tires should you get stuck, a shovel, flashlight and anything else you can fit in your car with you. You can never prepare too much and a very wise person once said, “An ounce of preparation is worth it’s weight in gold.” Believe it.
- Speaking of believe, tip #9 is to do just that. Believe. This time of year is a magical time whether you are celebrating the religious significance of the season or just celebrating your own way. It all counts. Take the time to tell the stories, make the cookies, decorate the house and make the wishes, for this is really what it is all about. Whatever your family’s traditions are, do them. Celebrate your blessings and look forward to a new year . . . hopefully with a little less rock salt and a little more Starbucks (it is the Northwest, coffee capitol, USA).
And if these tips don’t work, there’s always schnapps cocoa! But most of all, know that you are not alone, we are all in this parenting boat together! Happy Holidays!
Carrie can be found most days at Stop Screaming I’m Driving where she chronicles her life as mother to three active children, wife of one busy fire fighter, constant doer of laundry, and picker upper of Legos. She takes offers of free babysitting and bribes of lattes (vanilla, extra foam) very seriously. Feel free to reach her at carrieb[at]seattlemomblogs[dot]com.
