The weather outside is frightful. With the temperature dropping and schools closing, we parents are locked up – correction – in-doors with our little ones. With our boys and girls now spending more time at home, the life of a parent can quickly become a strained one: shut-in children become bored, cold and flu run amok and the holidays create more stress than they do season’s greetings! So with the chilling air and falling snow, how can parents survive the winter? Spike the eggnog? Well, there may be a few better suggestions to try first.
Take care of your body. During the winter months, many let their health fall secondary to whatever activities are taking the spotlight. Shopping, attending parties and tending to family can lead to bad eating and little rest. Proper nutrition is important as it can lead to high energy levels and immune system support. Exercise will also keep the body running well and sleep is a must. Taking care of your body during the winter months will allow a strong asset against the cold winds and screaming children.
Embrace the winter. Most people dread the months of snow, cold and the captive child audience. However, wrapping your arms (hopefully in a down feathered coat) around the season can greatly enhance the experience. Play in the snow with your children. There’s nothing as great as an unevenly matched snowball fight! Have a day at the beach in-doors with your family. Spread out a blanket and a big umbrella and enjoy a picnic in the living room. Collect wood for a fire (hopefully you have a fireplace!) and make it an adventure.
Set priorities and boundaries on expectations and events. The winter can be full of parties and visiting family. Attempting to be in more than one location at a time is something only Santa Claus is good at! Running yourself ragged will likely lead to fatigue and stress. Set priorities as to what events must be attended and which ones can be missed. Also let your family and friends know what and when is acceptable in terms of when to visit, how often and how long to stay.
In conclusion, the winter can test and try any parent. Unless you’re planning on moving, you won’t be able to avoid the cold and the snow. But being prepared for it can make all the difference. Grab some hot chocolate and dig in – it’s going to be cold outside.