Growing up in Southern California, I never quite understood the concept of “Cabin Fever.” Nor did I internalize that 4 months of almost no sun could really have an influence on a person’s psyche. After moving to Indiana I really did enjoy the changes in season. I enjoyed having the weather change from swimsuit weather to sweater weather to wool coat weather and back again. But, after ten years of living in Northern Indiana, we may have finally had the winter that makes me understand why so many families flee to places like Florida, if they have the opportunity. We will not be one of those lucky families this year.
This winter has seemed to drag on long enough. My mother talks of eighty degrees days in her town as I watch snowflakes swirling outside my window. It is not just the snow and the coldness, but it is being in the house that starts to drive me crazy. I am an outdoors person. The fresh air energizes me. But, when the wind chill is below 10 degrees, the amount of fresh air is limited. And the time that my kids and I spend cooped up in our house together seems unlimited.
And then there are days like today, where there is no snow on the ground to play in, but it is just plain cold. The wind is blowing, the flakes are falling, and we are all tired of our winter hats and coats. Who wants to go bike riding when you won’t be able to feel your fingers after one small sub division block. I find that this is the time of year that is the hardest on me and my parenting skills. We have done all the indoor things. We have played the board games, built the forts and put together the puzzles. We have thrown balls in the house and played baseball in the basement. Netflix has seen us through many a long blustery weekend. And now it is time for spring.
It is time for the days that I can yell “go play outside!” And they won’t comeback with frostbitten noses and wind chapped cheeks. It is time for the days that the balls are being thrown outside my house and not around the kitchen. It is time for the noise of kids to be filtering through open windows. It is time for trips to the park and trips to the beach. It is time. Do you hear me winter? Let’s get out of here!
[tags]kids, children, parents, parenting, family, weather, cabin fever, snow, cold, southern California, play outside[/tags]
Photo graciously provided by InTheFastLane, through a Creative Commons license, some rights reserved
7 responses so far ↓
Mike // Mar 12, 2008 at 6:20 am
As soon as it breaks 40, I always start wearing my light jacket to help remind the winter that it really shouldn’t bother coming back around for a while.
Let’s hope this warm spell this week is the for real beginning of spring.
jon // Mar 12, 2008 at 6:35 am
and this year in northern indiana has been particularly confusing. and this week (highs in the 40s and then snow on the weekend) will be no different. What helps is when on kids can fly himself to florida and the other is spending hours getting ready for a musical. Just like the hope of spring, there is the hope of children growing up. (come to think of it, spring can be pretty melancholy).
AmyL // Mar 12, 2008 at 8:44 am
Amen, and again I say Amen!!! from Michigan. At least we’ve got sun and some blue skies today. Can not WAIT to go outside and play with the flowers. Unfortunately, it’ll probably be another month before that happens.
Laura Storrie // Mar 12, 2008 at 10:04 am
We are about to set a reord for the amount of snow in over 30 years…almost 10 feet! I want out of here…go away winter!!!
there was a news cast about a guy in Quebec who pulled a gun on a snow blower! They are calling it snow rage!!!!
Lori // Mar 12, 2008 at 1:47 pm
I hear you!
The funny thing is that I grew up in the Pacific Northwest in an area of four distinct seasons, including coooold winters. I didn’t think anything of it. It bothers me much more now that I am a mother. I think it is the added effect of seeing what being cooped up does to your kids!
Bring on Spring!
jillbeth // Mar 13, 2008 at 5:49 am
Don’t you just love the Indiana weather! It always keeps us on our toes. Tank tops one day and sweaters the next! I was born and raised in northern Indiana.
AmyL // Mar 13, 2008 at 7:25 am
“Don’t like the weather? Just wait ten minutes…it’ll change.” Do they say that in Indiana as much as they do here?
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