How do you get yourself to go out of the house when you don't really need to, when the weather is so cold? I am a SAHM and my 3 yr old goes to preschool(part time).
In summer I always took him out in the evening - zoo, parks, library , stores , swim lessons , playdates or just playing outside in the backyard with neighbor kids. In winter all that has stopped. I do my shopping while he is at school or we do as family during weekends . It is such a hassle getting him in n out of the carseat with all his layers on ;) And I hate driving in the snow, I get stressed out even thinking about driving in those conditions.
I always think I will take him somewhere indoors for playtime in the evenings, but then it gets dark or will definitely be dark before I get back home and just the thought of it makes M. lazy n cancel the plans most of the days. His dad is completely opposite , weather or the cold doesn't bother him much. So he is fine driving even if there is a snow storm . So when he is in town we end up going out a lot. But during the weeks that he is out of town, kiddo n M. are stuck at home unless we have to go somewhere.
Yesterday's weather was so bad , I let him miss his weekly gym class. I thought I will take him to the mall play area today but well, we are still stuck at home. Son is fine because I kept him occupied all day yesterday and most of today. He is expecting M. to play as much with him this evening as well , but god I need a break. Here he is running behind M. with a book as I am typing this.
I wish we went somewhere , but I was in no mood to get him ready (takes half hour with him running around) and then run behind him at the mall. My friends are all working , so I don't think they will be up for playdates. In summer we always plan something but winter everyone kinda stays home.
So how do you all get out when you really have nowhere to be? Or how do you entertain kids who are bored n demanding your attention , which does not involve letting them watch more television. Thanks!
A little off topic but read this re: car seats and winter coats....http://t.today.com/moms/warning-parents-why-bulky-winter-...
He is three. He is probably still thrilled to "help" with laundry or clean with a damp rag along side you. A walk in the snow even after dark can take some energizer bunny levels down. Make a run to a lit sled hill and go down a few times...I hate being cold but fresh air takes everyone's mood and energy to a different place. A local indoor pool can also be a sweet winter retreat and is tiring. Put food coloring in an empty spray bottle and make a snow art design.. even after dark. Buy sugar cookie dough..or make it together and give him carte blanch to decorate and make a small mess. Do a yoga video with him...they have fun with poses and you destress and stretch. Tape paper to the floor in the kitchen all around the perimeter and put colored pencils, washable markers and crayons and tell him to draw you a story beginning to end using every piece and fill the page. Tell him he will have to tell you his story when he is done. Then take them up and have him decorate a binder and make his story a book.
We do get out in the winter, but the wind chill has been around minus 50 for the past couple of weeks. We normally go skating, tobogganing, snowshoeing and to the zoo in the winter. (Winter is my favourite time to go to the zoo because the animals are the most active.) When it is too cold to be outdoors we spend lots of time at the Y, swimming, rock climbing, playing on the play structure or drop in sports. We also go to the museum, the library, the bowling alley and indoor mini-golf. When the kids were little we went to different play groups as well. I just made sure I scheduled an outing (or two) each and every day so I would get out of the house. Now that they are in school all day, and have extra-curricular activities in the evening we don't get as much time to do all the fun outings we used to do when they were little.:( Anyway, if you have a YMCA near you I would recommend a children's membership.
Well, it's not everyday you have a polar vortex, so cut yourself some slack, upload some great kids' movies, and when you need a break let him watch one. It won't go on forever and you won't be a bad mother for it.
M. Jen-
Very discrete and narrow fix to some of your getting out of the house problems-
If you are having trouble getting him dressed, try setting a timer. Let him know that you are setting a timer and if he can get dressed before it goes off, he can have a small treat or privelege. Mine is happy to blow our car horn once before getting into his car seat. At three, my boy is proving capable of understanding rational thought, consequences, and routines.
If getting dressed becomes easier, getting out of the house might too.
Another thing, not all outings have to be high energy outings. My husband remembers walking the family dogs to the park, there were three, a german shepherd, a king charles cavalier and a westie. Some days the dogs would get there and go on a big tear, other days, they would just sniff around the bushes and be content to lay down. Either way, they were better behaved in the house for having had the outing. Don't feel bad about setting up indoor outings, or sniff the bushes outings.
A recent one my husband did with DS was to walk 3 blocks to the railroad, get a cup of coffee at the coffee shop, take the railroad to Penn Station, walk around the block, then hop on the subway and a local bus for the return. Not a lot of running around, but plenty of sniffing.
Best,
F. B.
Yes, we get out but we live somewhere with lots of trails and I need to get the dog some exercise every day. My son is on ski team so we are at the ski hill every weekend. We also love to go to the pool…this might be a good thing for you to do since it sounds like you don't like the cold. We also hit the YMCA on family rock climbing night. We also are huge fans of ice skating. My daughter (4) is finally getting it this year so now both kids are obsessed. Can you sign your son up for something like a gymnastics class or kinder basketball or ??? Personally if I don't get my kids out doing stuff they drive M. nuts.
As someone who loves the cold, even we are hibernating. It is too cold and dangerous to be out right now. I went to the grocery store today, and I saw cars off the road on the way there and again on the way home. We will be out the rest of the week, but when it's snowy or super cold, we stay in. I'm actually loving it! I've been cleaning out closets and things, but the kids and I have been having great fun. We've been baking, building, playing games, and watching fun shows. One thing I try to do is play one new game a day when we are in like this. I also search for books we've yet to read.
It's sound like you have a different problem: you have an only child and are feeling cooped up. 3 is a hard age, they want someone to play with, especially if that's what they are use to. But it sounds like you need to get out. Join a meetup group. When my oldest was 3, we were at playgroup in people's houses at least twice a week. Second, go shopping. Go to trader joes and let him drive the shopping cart while you just buy two things. My kids love going to trader joes. They can find the monkey, drive the shopping cart and get a sucker---it was even better when they had balloons. Third, the library is a great friend. Many have great play areas where kids can be loud and run around. Fourth, when it's above 30, go for a short walk. Getting outside does wonders for the spirit.
But the secret to being cooped up is to do something new, even at home. Have you had a picnic lunch at home? How about making playdoh? I did a great snow doh recipe recently, it had no cooking and it dried without crumbling. PM if you want a link to the recipe, and to a great website that has lots of sensory bin fun. Also, 3 is a great age to make muffins. They love putting the cupcake liners in the pan and filling them.
But yes, we go out in winter, including for walks. In fact, I took the kids on their scooters around the block last week...and it looks like it's going to warm up again soon! But seriously, join a meetup group.
I know that my mental health depends on M. getting out of the house.. after 24 hours inside.. I start to get a bit grumpy.. so we go someplace almost every day..
yes it is a bit hard to get dressed and get out.. but I think a nice outing in the am.. and all is better in the pm.
I do go out during the winter. I can't stand just being home all the time. My kids are 6 and 8 so they are able to get their jackets and hats and get ready themselves though, so it doesn't really take any extra time doing that.
I would get out if only for my sanity. I did it when all 3 kids were little as well. We are in MD, so we aren't getting near the cold you are in Chicago, but it was -11 yesterday with the wind chill, and not much warmer this morning. My kids go to school, so we just spent 15 minutes getting them all bundled and went on our way.
At 3, I'd try to get out sometimes. I'd explain to him that you are going somewhere, where you are going, what you expect from him, and that if he doesn't cooperate, there is no outing. My kids always respond better when they know what's going on, even when they were younger than 3.
Here they cancelled after school activities for the last two days because of the cold. Monday night we went out to dinner and last night we went to my parents house. It was all good.
Not every day but often. We'll go to a nature center or a park in decent weather or I'll send her next door (or invite the neighbor kids over). I have also been part of a Meet Up for kids her age, and did story times all over town for a while.
With this weather I don't blame you for not wanting to go out!
Do you have any family or friends that you could Skype with? Seeing some new faces might help with some of the cabin fever. It's a little unconventional which would make it new and exciting. Grandparents can "babysit" over Skype to give you a break from entertaining ;)
my fav indoor keep them busy activity is to fill the tub and sit next to it reading or surfing the next on a smartphone, you can add shaving cream or some cool cups to pour from, or colored icecubes that float, or plastic dinosaurs. keep them safe but they can play pretty independently.
I love to put on music and dance with the kiddos. I'm ususally good for 2 songs they can go for 4.
put his little mittens on and bring in a tub of snow.
Skype any relative that has 10 mins to read kiddo a story or listen to his silly little stories or songs.
call daddy.
our library has books on cd that kept my kiddos busy slightly better than TV. I think you can even download the audio now.
pots and pans band w earphones for M.
good luck!!
what about where you live? driving to the mall to run around would daunt M., but not bundling up to go play in the snow! and when there's no snow, there's really still nothing like getting snugglied up and going for a brisk winter walk. it makes the hot chocolate and blankies-in-front-of-a-movie all the more of a treat.
obviously if it's heinous outside that won't work (the subzero temps we had here for the last 2 days would stop M. in my tracks) but you chicagoans are built of sturdy stuff! it really is important to stay active and have frequent adventures.
khairete
S.
I hope you are keeping warm up there!
I bet it is hard with a little one being inside so much. Please visit the happy housewife where math meets real life.
Today they have an awesome list of things to do with children on snowy days.
You may have to venture out to get the supplies but they sound pretty darn amazing to M.!
I try and get the kids out every day. I get down and stircrazy otherwise. It is super cold here right now so I am not at all into playing outside but we went to Barnes and Noble story group yesterday and played there for a bit. Son had preschool today and the bigger kids have hw after school so no more "outings" today but I'll do indoor playplaces etc/
No, my husband does! He takes them sledding and to wherever they need to be for scheduled activities. I stay home and hibernate. I cook stuff, make hot drinks, stay warm, and gain 5 pounds. :-) Have his dad take him out sometimes while you're at home doing what you need to do.
I take the kids out a lot in the summer. To the park, the pool, the library, for walks, to poke at crawfish in the river, etc.
Many people say they need to get out for their sanity. I need plenty of quiet and isolation for mine, so being at home is my happy place. I'm the type of person that finds being surrounded by people and noise to be physically exhausting. Too much of it and it feels like the life is being sucked out of M..
Three years old is a demanding age. Doing typical kid-fun things gets boring as heck, but you can probably entertain him while doing your boring grownup stuff too. Folding laundry? Drop the empty basket over his head. He'll be a turtle for at least a half hour.
We find places to go. Our fav. free places are library and the mall. He's at a great age for a membership to a local children's museum. The nice thing about a membership to places like that is if you go for an hour and leave it's fine. If you had to pay full price every time you went then you feel like you have to stay all day. Ask friends from preschool over for a playdate. Then you get to stay home but also you both get social interaction. It's been hard this year with the craptastic weather we've had but if you are both bored and frustrated it will be a veryyy long day!
