How To Save Your Sanity When The Weather Outside Is Frightful

We are in the midst of winter (and I am definitely a summer girl!). And unless the groundhog is right (like he is about 11% of the time), we still have a long way to go. Snow days sound good … for about 5 minutes. Because for those 5 minutes you are remembering things like sleeping in and watching movies and drinking wine. And then you remember that you’re a mom.

When the weather outside is frightful, maybe the kids aren’t so delightful? And if you are a special needs mom like me, the entertaining is even trickier. But, it’s not impossible. Here are some winter sanity savers that can help you get through the snow days. Along with the wine, of course…

Bundle Up

Remember that scene in A Christmas Story where the mom is getting the kids dressed in all the winter layers for school? Isn’t it fun to spend all that time bundling the kids up (only to have them need to go to the bathroom about 5 minutes later)? If you are autism mom, you might have a kid like mine, who totally enjoys taking things OFF. I usually find him around the house barefoot and shoes and socks are scattered about. No big deal until I find him barefoot and glove-less in the snow. We’ve finally found hats and boots that he would keep on, but mittens and gloves were always a problem.

This year I’m trying something new. I’m starting out with these long fingerless gloves (these are for women, but they are black and run in small sizes, so it’s fine). This is just the bottom layer, so at least if the top layer comes off, he won’t get snow up his arms. Then, I’m going to top it with adaptive thumbless mittens that I found on Etsy. You can also try these waterproof thumbless gloves, which have a velcro strap that looks tough to take off on your own.

Here are some other ideas from Friendship Circle for keeping those with special needs warm in the winter.

Outdoor Fun

My kids love sledding, but of course I want to make it as safe as possible. This NY Metro Parents article says that the safest sleds are “those that can be steered and that have rails that raise the rider off the ground.” I know that there are adaptive sleds out there, but they are actually really hard to find. Researching this led me to a lot of broken links, resources in other countries, or huge price tags. But, I did find some options. So, if you want your special needs kiddo to have some sledding fun, these might be good choices:

This Adaptive Snow Sled from Flaghouse is pricey, but looks amazing. Safe, dynamic, and indestructible, this is perfect for a ski trip or cross-country ski trail.
If you are more a sled-down-a-backyard-hill than a cross country ski trip kind of family, this Lucky Bums racer sled is a great choice. It has a center ski, steering wheel, and handbrakes for safety, stability, and control.
If you are pulling a toddler, this affordable sled from Lucky Bums comes with a safety belt and raised footrest.
This cozy sled from L.L.Bean is a safe choice with lots of options – you can choose different sizes, add in cushions, or even get a tandem model.

Indoor Activities

When the outdoor fun ends – you know, when the kids get cold after being outside for like 15 minutes – and snow gets tracked into your house and all those bundlings are littering your floor, you will need some ways to keep your kids entertained the rest of the day. Try some easy games that all the kids can participate in. Simple board games, like Chutes and Ladders or Candy Land can be fun for everyone. We are currently enjoying Uno Moo, which is a simple, non-card version of Uno. Here are some other board game ideas from Parenting Special Needs magazine.

If your kids need some action and movement, try something simple like a dance party. One of my kids’ favorite memories during a snow day was a balloon party/war that we had. This helium tank was a life saver, and we used some regular (blown up the old fashioned way) balloons to bat around as well. The AngelSense blog has some other fun indoor winter activities you can try.

Yummy Treats

One of my favorite winter things growing up was having hot cocoa with marshmallows. If you are on a special diet, this can be tricky. Luckily, there are plenty of versions of dairy-free cocoa. Try this one from Melissa’s Food Freedom that uses just cocoa powder, coconut sugar, salt, and nut milk. If you don’t want to make your own nut milk, I am loving Elmhurst Milked Nuts. There is sugar (but that ship has already sailed if you are going to use the marshmallows below), but there are no emulsifiers, stabilizers, or thickeners. The cashew milk is my favorite – it’s amazing!

Marshmallows can be a little trickier. There are gluten-free versions available, but most of them have corn, soy, or carageenan. My friend just introduced me to SmashMallow, and I couldn’t wait to use it in hot chocolate! If you are okay with a little organic sugar, this is the marshmallow for you. They don’t have a plain flavor but there are lots of choices. The mint chocolate chip (and the candy cane, which is seasonal) flavor tastes really good in the homemade cocoa.

Cozy Snuggles

If you are lucky enough to have a snuggly kiddo, or to have tired your kid/s out from the rest of the activities, maybe you’ll be able to pop in a movie and get some cooking or laundry done (you know, mom fun). You’ll want the right blanket to support your child’s sensory needs. A weighted blanket, like this one, can help modulate and regulate the senses and can have a calming effect. If your child prefers to be totally covered, this sensory sack will do the trick. Or maybe your child just needs a little texture to get cozy. Try this shaggy blanket, or this chunky knit. Maybe you’ll even get to enjoy a little cuddling time together!