I know that those first few flakes of snow seems so pretty.  We even open the curtains at night and look up and sigh…..

That was in November.

Now it is February and we do not think they are so pretty anymore.  We do not make a point to look up at them at night and I am pretty sure we are not sighing at their beauty.

We are knee deep in winter here in Ohio.  From the negative 45 degree wind chill to the 15 inches of snow we got in one weekend.

We are also knee deep in cabin fever.  For our nice and warm friends, please bear with me.  Cabin fever is not exclusive to those in the cold.

We try to battle this in 4 easy peasy ways…

MOVE-

Not your actual home, just those in it.  We found that exercising is a nice thing to add into your schedule.  If you already do this, maybe change up what you are doing.  We belong the our local YMCA, so they have many classes available as well as children’s programs that can be used to add in some movement and break up the day.

Maybe go to a local pool- some have day rates available which means no big time or money commitment.

Put some music on and dance.  We did this a lot when Elizabeth was little and she loved it.  We were also able to incorporate some good “work” into it, such as encouraging spins, stretches and hand movements.  We would even do a little routine to encourage her to kick and move her feet.

Follow the leader- a great game to encourage trying new things.  Make sure your leader has good motives, not like one of my children who had the idea to try and lead us up the steps backwards.  But a nice way to play, move and “work”.

CUDDLE IN-

Okay, this is the complete opposite to the above suggestion, but just as fun.  When it is cold out, or when your special needs child might need some down time, a movie-time is a great thing.

Maybe a heavy blanket to add some sensory input, a few good snacks and “ROLL FILM”

Why not give in to the whole being in thing and embrace the time to just BE

CRAFT IT UP-

Coloring, cutting and pasting may not have been Elizabeth’s strong points, when she was younger, with her dyspraxia and sensory processing disorder (SPD) but her sister loved it and we used it as a time to encourage Elizabeth  to try something new.  When she was older, she was happy to spend time making a craft.  Usually we would make something for a purpose, think making a picture for Dad’s office or a clay object as a new paperweight for our friend.   It was fun to create and then gift it to someone.

FUN FOOD NIGHT-

We used to have a favorite food night when one person got to pick the dinner.  This works well if all your children like the same kinds of food.  Mine did so it worked.  You may have to tweak this one to make sure one child is not eating like a king and the others are simply staring at the food on their plates.

Also, try to check your local parenting magazine for interesting story times or local events. Sometimes just having a few things  on the schedule can make all the difference.

Good luck and I hope some of these suggestions help.

I wish everyone a peaceful week.

Michele Gianetti author of ” I Believe In You: A Mother and Daughter’s Special Journey” and “Emily’s Sister”

 

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