Snow Days: The Battle Between Obligations & Remembering How to Play by Kristan Wager

Motherhood Playtime
6 years ago

Snow Days: The Battle Between Obligations & Remembering How to Play

Do you remember the excitement of a snow day? Wearing PJs inside out, putting ice cubes in the toilet, racing to watch the announcements on the morning news and screeching in delight as your school closing was announced?

I see that smile. You do, too. Those were the days, right? It is a bit different than our mama reaction: “Ugh, what to do with them all day?” Play vs. obligation. Fun vs. work.

What if listening to your inner child is the most important task of the day? The one thing that lasts past today and into the future of cherished memories. The last time my kids had a snow day, we left the house a mess, made snow ice cream, snow angels and snowmen. We ended with cocoa and cartoons. It was fun! I forgot how much fun it is to embrace play. Then, together, we cleaned up and went on with our day. It was so freeing! 

Playtime before tackling obligation was like a “spoonful of sugar,” making the must-do list much less work. Laundry and housework are always there, but snow days won't be. Go out and build a snowman, you know you want to!

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Elisa Schmitz
"What if listening to your inner child is the most important task of the day?" I love this! Excellent first tip, Kristan Wager . So excited to have you part of our tribe. We look forward to more of your tips, thank you!
Ann Marie Patitucci
"What if listening to your inner child is the most important task of the day? The one thing that lasts past today and into the future of cherished memories." I love this, Kristan Wager! Thanks for sharing this with us!
Ann Marie Patitucci
Elisa All Schmitz 30Seconds : I just read your comment- we are twins! :)
Suzette Berry
I always lived my life that away. I have lots of Memories with all the Kids in my life
Kristan Wager
Suzette Berry it is really your presence in my childhood that reminds me to play even as an adult! You have always been able to live fully! So looking forward to experiencing Israel with you!
Mike Prochaska
Yes i call it having a playful heart
Mike Prochaska
I love love love this tip! #playmatters welcome to the tribe!
Donna John
Yes! Great advice! Things and lists can wait, but your kids are little for just a while. Isn't it a snow day today for some of ya'll??? Have fun! Kristan Wager
Mike Prochaska
Couldn’t agree more it goes so fast
Anna Kline
A few years ago I decided to play in the rain. My kids were tearing things apart at my parent's house, emptying the cupboards of all the sweets they could find and screaming at the top of their lungs. I looked outside at the heavy rain on that summer's day and it clicked "let's go outside!" I took them to the garage and opened the garage door. Then, I did it...in my pink dress I went outside in the rain and called my two girls. My 5 year old at the time said "mommy I need an umbrella" and I yelled "baby the rain is warm let's run and play. So we ran around in circles giggling. Then my 2 year old just starred at us like we were crazy and we begged her to join...jumping in puddles got her in.

Now we have this memory and I have to remember this day. Real, child-like fun can change the way we parent and how our children see us. We aren't just those mean people who tell them what to do. We also can have deep yet silly experiences with them that show them pure love and happiness.
Mike Prochaska
You should write your own tip about This. Anna Kline #playmatters
Kristan Wager
Love this! 'We can have these deep yet silly experiences" -it does not have to be all serious! Anna Kline
Dieter Schmitz
I love snow days! Growing up in rural Minnesota, we lived for snow. Lots of it! Thanks Kristan Wager for the wonderful flashbacks!
Julio Caro
Thanks For Sharing....

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