Inoculating Against Cabin Fever

Sitting here in beautiful 60° Colorado, its hard to believe that winter is upon us. National Public Radio aired a story about Seattle possibly breaking its previously held rain record of 33 consecutive days of rain. The reporter was at the Seattle Children's Museum asking parents about their feelings regarding how this indoor time together was going to impact their family. In the background it sounded like the kids were having fun, but the parents being interviewed sounded far less enthused. Having many rainy days looming in front of them, parents expressed concern about what would happen when boredom set in. After all, how many times can you hit the same indoor activities before it all falls flat? The reporter addressed this lament by saying something along the lines of how having so much rain will wear thin on the "long-suffering parents".

Suffering? Why must it be described as suffering? What if we choose not to suffer or face it with dread or despair? Let's try to look at it as a much needed and welcome change, even aopportunityty to have fun as a family or get some things done together. It means quieter time together, more time together, and, if we play our cards right(and playing cards as a family is fun!), we might be able to run the kids ragged inside, so we get an earlier bedtime for everyone. Preparing for several days inside with kids can often seem overwhelming so I thought I would share some of my ideas with you.

First of all, I'm no craft expert, or even craft enthusiast by any stretch of the imagination, so have no worry because I say, "Keep it simple!" Take advantage of the time indoors to do things your kids love to do, play board games, draw pictures, color, sing, dance, read, hang out, and do a whole lot of nothing. If you're lucky enough to be inside during a big storm with no power, light candles and roast marshmallows. Sit around the candles or light a fire in the fire place and sing songs, Not a singer? Tell stories. You can even use this time to catch up on everyone's busy lives. Let your kids try shadow puppets, charades and those games we used to play before 24 hour television came along. Keep the TV off, turn the creativity on.

I say, take advantage of being cooped up, unable to go to the store, unable to run errands, unable to go to work and enjoy being forced to just hang out together. Be inventive with meal time, create a recipe together using only the ingredients you have on hand!

Being creatvive doesn't have to mean being clever and crafty, it can mean whatever you want it to mean. So, stretch your mind or, better yet, let your kids lead the way and enjoy some inside winter time over the next few months!

We are here for you! If anyone has some ideas for indoor activities feel free to post them in our comment section.