Well. Despite my best efforts, I think winter is winning. I’m struggling to get outside this winter! I’ve tried. Really I have! I have suited up in snow gear time and time again, even when it was clear it wouldn’t end well. I really believe that kids (and adults) can enjoy time outside even when it’s cold. However.
I’ve embraced the outdoors this winter, but it is not embracing me back
This winter is treating me like a crazy ex girlfriend who can’t take a hint. WHY DO I KEEP GOING BACK FOR MORE?!?!
I suppose we keep trying because if I follow my instincts and hide in my warm bed all day, my kids will probably tear the house to shreds by noon. Their favorite way to burn off energy this winter is to stand on the coffee table and see how much air time they can get leaping onto the couch. Since a new couch is not in the budget, we have to keep going outside.
But every time we head out, I have a least 17,000 moments when my face looks like this:
Just. Why.
Here’s just a sampling of reasons I have semi-permanent winter stink face.
Tantrums and Tears
Is it an actual requirement that some one cries every time we leave our house? Did the universe send down some law of parenting physics I have yet to master?
Common reasons for tears include (but not limited to):
Olivia won’t run with her – Abby
Olivia is running with her – Abby
Olivia saw a bunny track and Abby can’t see it because she won’t look because Olivia saw it first
The bunny tracks were going the wrong direction?
They want a different sled
There’s hair on her face
They have to wear gloves
I won’t take more pictures of them “being a dog”, because I’ve already taken 100
They didn’t win (doesn’t matter if there’s nothing to win)
There’s no way to win (like how do you “win” at walking?)
Her kids are driving her nuts and she’s not sure this was a good idea (maybe me)
Me too kid. Me too.
I’m seriously distracted
I have, on multiple occasions, forgotten a key element of the winter wardrobe for someone. I should have a list, and I probably will get around to making that in June. It will be super helpful then.
We went hiking in the snow in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and forgot snow gloves.
We went to the zoo lights and forgot Abby’s coat. It was 17 degrees.
Walked to Olivia’s school today and realized Abby had on snow boats and no socks.
I have delusions about Oreo
Sigh. In my fantasy life Oreo the dog is a wonderful adventure companion who is calm, cool, and collected in the outdoors. Real life: the dog is a nut job who has zero chill because she is a nut job. I love her. I do. But I need to stop taking her outside with us. In my fantasy life I also have the time and endless patience required to train her correctly. hahahahaha.
I keep trying to make the stroller happen. It’s not going to happen!
Of course I will take the stroller on our walk! The sidewalks are clear, it’s sunny, it’s perfect!
J/K here’s a huge snow bank at EVERY SINGLE CROSSWALK. Shoving a double jogger full of 70lbs of kid through a snowbank right next to the road is a legit feat of strength and I expect to be rewarded with an Olympic medal right away. This has happened enough times this winter that I should be able to predict it, but of course I never do. And then i’m swearing under my breath while the trash men die with laughter #truestory. They did offer to help, but I’m stubborn so there’s that.
Why even bother? They walk anyways!
My mudroom always looks like this
Doesn’t everyone store their essential oils next to the golf clubs?
So winter is winning… but what do I do about it?
Nothing. Because my kids think it’s awesome. They are completely oblivious to all my packing fails and stroller woes. They think it’s hilarious when the dog acts like she’s missing some crucial brain cells. They think the snow is magical and amazing.
And the tantrums? Turns out they don’t remember them at all. Abby cried through an entire (short) hike the other day, and then came home and announced during family dinner it was her favorite part of the day. Are you freaking kidding me? #Memories.
So I will just suck it up until spring. Because winter may be winning, but I’m very stubborn. I’m off now to walk the dog with the stroller and one shoe while everyone cries!
Ha! Megan, this cracked me up. Here in Western Australia it is scorching summer and we are having many of the same issues with extreme weather… went to a dog beach this morning, surprised by blasting wind, dog and kid both dumped by waves. Dog tried to clean sand from eyes by putting entire sandy head into the backpack, then dog and kid dug hole flicking sand over everything not already coated in sand. We said ONE shell only could come home. One shell did, but also 47 tiny stones… everyone grumpy and tired and HOT by the time we got home. Sand all through car and house now, dog has to be bathed, towels and bathers washed etc.
But. We persist because we know time in nature is so important for so many reasons…even if we forget those reasons when everyone’s complaining/annoyed/upset during our adventures!!! Great we can laugh about it afterwards.
Hang on in there! Cheers Sally at https://onefamilyoneplanetblog.wordpress.com/
Hahaha that sounds like one of our trips! I do love that the craziest outings are the funniest once they are over!
Loved this post, seriously hilarious and made me very happy to have a teenager. I forgot about all those tantrums, but secretly I kind of miss them as well. I personally cannot wait for winter to arrive, it’s been a ridiculously long and hot hot summer here in Australia.
Summer! How I miss it! This happens to me at the end of summer too though, ready for cooler weather then. I do love that Ohio has seasons for that reason, just when you are over one it’s time for a change.
Good for you for getting outside despite the cold! We actually took our evening walk last night even though it was so cold, I think it was good for us anyhow!
Yes! Sometimes its not great in the moment but I think it really is good anyways.
Haha! It’s so easy to fail when you get excited about an adventure out with the littles, isn’t it? They always have their own plans.
Getting outside in the winter is ROUGH, but being cooped up inside is even worse. I hope you all had fun. 🙂
Being stuck inside is definitely worse!
Right with you here! My problem is the drizzle. Cold, I can just about handle. Snow, at least you can play in it. It’s the incessant rain all.the.time that I can’t cope with. Worst thing is my son loves getting wet so I can’t use him as an excuse to stay indoors! #triumphanttales
Rain just makes me want to curl up with a good book and a blanket, not head outside!
Good for you! I keep meaning to go out…but it’s just so cold! Heehee. I’m not showing a very good example am I! #triumphanttales
haha it’s so hard to get motivated some days!
We haven’t had much snow so far but I’m still ready for Winter to be over!
#fortheloveofblog
This is great advice. Do nothing–the kids are loving it. I am NOT an outdoor in winter person at all. I would have given up long ago. And did, let’s be honest. Your kids are lucky! It really is great advice to not try to fix all the issues and mishaps and just look past them. 🙂 #wanderingwednesday
Sometimes you just can’t fix things! Thanks for stopping by!
LOL! You are a great sport! I think I would have turned around two minutes after leaving the house! I think you’ve got the best attitude and your girls are very lucky! Keep up the great work and laughter! It will be worth it come spring!
Thanks!
Winter is super hard! It seems extra long for me this year. I’m ready for some warmer weather so I can send my kids outside to jump on the trampoline barefoot. You are doing amazing! I need to be better about getting my kids outside even when it’s cold and a ton of work for me to get them all prepped and ready.
Thanks for joining #WanderingWednesday #linkup with Confessions of Parenting! 😊
It is such a hard season. It doesn’t help that I hate the cold and I’m so ready to feel some warmth again and not need a coat! You’re doing brilliantly. Just keep on smiling through it! Thanks for sharing with #TriumphantTales, hope to see you again next week.
Thanks! I too am ready for the warmth!
Ahh Megan I love this! In comparison our winters seem fault mild, but the first flurry of snow and all activity literally goes on hold as nobody can function in anything less than “a bit of drizzle”. I’m all for fighting the winter, as long as I don’t have to try and put gloves on my 3 year old. If that’s required then I’m sorry but we’re going nowhere. Life is too short for such futile exercises! 😂 Thanks so much for sharing with #DreamTeam x
Oh this made me smile!! I am sooooo feeling this!! They moan the whole way round your beautiful walk then tell you over dinner how much they loved it, ha!! Roll on Spring! PS, I am jealous that you have a mud room!! #DreamTeam
It’s a selective memory for sure!
Haha, I can totally relate about kids saying they had an amazing time when they have just spent the entire trip out crying. Like, do you even remember what just happened? Thanks for sharing with #fortheloveofBLOG
always rewriting history!