Winter can be an overcast time in more ways than one. Not only do we get to start and end our days in darkness, but it also messes with our internal circadian clocks. So it’s really no wonder the gloom of the cold leaves us with a lack of motivation, and a deep desire to raid the cupboards.
Compounding the problem, is the fact that winter leaves parents (and teachers), with only intermittent outdoor playtime, making it hard to occupy children’s wildly creative minds.
Yes, this time of year, my boys certainly have a surplus of energy; enough to go around in fact. Of course, I feel just the opposite. I want to slip into my pajamas and crawl under a blanket and hibernate until spring … make that summer.
What I would give to have an ounce of their energy … just one ounce.
But since the boys have taken it upon themselves to eat me out of house and home, and literally destroy everything in their path as they do so, I’ve had to come out of hiding and push myself to keep their innovative minds active.
I’ve stocked up on basically everything and anything I can to keep them busy. I’ve bought Play-Doh, tools, glue, markers, books, board games, movies, downloaded Kindle games, and even gave them a camera. We’ve painted pottery, visited relatives, and run laps around the basement.
And when these activities get old to them, I continue looking for new ones, even in unusual places.
I’ve had them be assistant chefs, and even tricked them into helping with the chores.
“Hey kids, want to play with my Swiffer Sweeper?” (Just make sure to put a dry sweeping cloth on first. Then let them go to town.)
Like I said, I will do anything to keep them busy.
I’ve found the key is to avoid giving them free time unless you want the pictures on your walls or your favorite vase broken (as mine were).
But, let me tell you, it takes a lot of work to keep them out of trouble. Just when you let your guard down, somebody will ultimately be into something they shouldn’t.
By the time bedtime rolls around, I rejoice, because I am really the one who is ready for it.
The only light at the end of the tunnel is the weather forecast.
I’ve been waiting for that one big snow, and it’s been promised to come. You know, the one with the big, soft, fluffy flakes coming down, making the world look so clean, pure, and new. The snow that makes you forget about the frigid air, and delight in all things winter, as you put on a fuzzy sweater and sip a latte.
Yes, there’s always the one perfect snow that reminds you there is hope for this time of year after all.
I’ve explained the magic of snow days and the promise of no school (to my newbie Kindergartner). I’ve promised the boys snowman building, snow ice cream and hot chocolate. Needless to say, we’re ready.
And even though you have to spend about as much time bundling up for the snow, as the amount of time you can actually stand to be out in the cold, a snow day is a bright light nonetheless.
Since it’s winter, and we all have to endure it either way, all I can say is, please … just let it snow.
