Hey, mama. I see you–the one counting the days down until Spring (It’s 35 to be exact). The one bemoaning the cold and wind and ice, threatening that if one more snow day cancels daycare/preschool you’ll just lose it. 🙂 I see you because I’m right there with you, sister. The cold days are rough. I try and tell myself it’s not that much longer until it’ll get warmer. But we both know that the thought of another day stuck inside with nowhere to go (looking at you, Covid) makes us want to climb back into bed and stay there until the weather gets its act together.

While winter can have it’s good moments, I’m typically ready to call it quits after one solid snow day of sledding and making snow angels. Snow is pretty and all, but I need a park trip that doesn’t begin with a 30 minute layering session for my two boys, and end with a baby crying because his hands are cold (having thrown his mittens off for the tenth time) and a pre-schooler who wonders where all of his friends are at the park (since apparently we are the only ones desperate enough to go to the park when its 32 degrees).

To add insult to injury, with covid numbers still high, I have not felt the freedom to do indoor outings with the boys like I once did. Museums, Target runs, libraries and even grocery stores are places I don’t feel comfortable taking my littles (they’re at the age where they touch everything), so I have to admit we’re going a bit stir crazy. Maybe you can relate.

I’m writing this mom’s survival guide as a reminder to myself and all the mamas counting down the days until Spring, that we can do this. We can survive winter with our kids in a pandemic. There will come a day when it will be warm, and we’ll just step outside with our littles and take a walk; or play at the park until right before dinner, but until then, save this list mama and refer to it when the next nap time or bedtime seems like it will never come. So without further ado…

A Mom’s Guide to Surviving Winter in a Pandemic

1. Find some killer playlists that you and your kids can listen to while they play. I know that music always makes things better for me. We rotate through a number of Spotify playlists so that when I’m starting to get tired of Disney songs, we move on to Daniel Tiger, the Happy Music for Kids Playlist, Violin Covers, the Piano Guys, and even The Greatest Showman Soundtrack. Find music that both you and your kids will like!
2. If you’re not already, start having your kids do “Individual play time”. I learned this from Babywise and will be writing a whole post about it soon. If this is new to you, I highly encourage you to do a little reading about how to implement individual play time into your child’s day. The benefits to having some structured time where your child plays by themselves, is immense for their learning, their ability to self-entertain, and your ability to get a little down time.
3. Make some Activity boxes. I found that when I needed my toddler to be occupied for 20 minute chunks of time in order to nurse my infant, activity boxes were a huge help. You can create so many different kinds based upon the interests of your kids. Make sure everything in them is age appropriate (i.e. don’t put glass beads or beans in them if your toddler might put them in their mouth), and to keep them fresh, pull out 1 activity box per day or week so that the newness of the toys sticks around for awhile.
4. Put some books on hold at the Library. Reading books that are new to our family is always refreshing. Make them themed and get some for Black History Month, or pick a topic your family wants to learn about like birds or polar animals or winter sports and get a bunch of books to help you learn together.
5. Switch out your toys. I have found that new toys always re-engage my boys’ imagination. And when I say new, I don’t mean brand new. I mean, old toys that we put in the attic that we get out, wipe down and re-introduce after it’s been a few months. You can also get some toys from the Thrift Store, clean them well and introduce new toys to your littles that way.
6. Bundle up and go for a walk. Sometimes you just need to go outside. So try and make a game out of it. Play “I spy” with your toddler, or do a winter scavenger hunt sheet, or search for cars that are your child’s favorite color.
7. Ask another mama to walk with you. I find that having another mama and her littles around always makes the time go faster. So invite a neighbor to join you for a socially distant walk or time at the park together. It might be cold, but at least there will be good conversation.
8. If you’re someone who loves structure (or not having to research activities) use a free activity calendar to plan out your days for you. (We might be partial) but we’ve loved using this free January Activity Cal and this one for February. Curated crafts, baking activities and learning prompts? Yes, please.
9. Sometimes you just need a change of scenery. If you always play on the main floor, move to the upstairs to play. Or put on your winter jackets and play in your car. My kids love sitting in the driver’s seat (without the keys, obviously) and pretending to drive or race (or push all the buttons).
10. Ask the Lord for help through Prayer. I often feel inadequate as a mom. I also often feel like I need an attitude change. Thankfully, the Lord wants to be my strength, and loves to change our hearts, so take a moment and go to Him in prayer. Ask Him for help. Ask Him to shift your mindset and see how He moves your heart.
11. Have a couple of key TV shows in your back pocket for those days when you just truly need 30 minutes or an hour to yourself. My 3 year old loves Daniel Tiger, Word Party and Team Umizoomi.
12. Read Scripture or even The Jesus storybook Bible. When I get into a negative mood, it can feel hard to pull myself out. But I do find that Scripture–the Words of Life–can encourage and challenge me. And if you’re sitting with your little one who wants your full attention, then pull out The Jesus Story Book Bible and read it together. I find that it too, has a similar effect upon me.
13. Call in backup. Some days, I just need Daddy to step in and play for 30 minutes. Sometimes he’s unable to because of work, but other times he can and to be honest, it’s difficult to parent at all, let alone in a pandemic, so I’m all about asking for help when needed.
14. Order takeout. Every once in a while, I get to near the end of the day and realize that me making dinner is just not happening. I had it all planned out, even have the ingredients, but I just can’t pull it together to make something. So rather than feeling guilty, just order takeout or heat something up that is frozen. The win is that your family is eating and you made it happen, mama.
15. Treat yo self. There are days when to just make it through feels like you conquered a mountain. On those days, rather than trying to have a productive evening, treat yourself. Eat some dessert, take a bath, go to bed early, do what feels rejuvenating for you and leave the pile of dishes or messy living room till tomorrow when you’re more rested. Or when it’s Spring. The dishes can wait till Spring right?

There you have it, mama. 15 ways to survive the next 35 days of winter. What things have helped you love your little ones well during the winter? Please share in the comments! We need all the ideas we can get. 🙂