Notes From A Daycare Provider: Getting Through Winter

Last week we were treated to a 40 degree day, which means the kids went crazy running around the backyard. There was no fighting over toys, no being told not to run (it was obviously encouraged), and there was no drama. It instantly made me miss the days of summer. I would simply open the back door and let the kids run and play. Sure I had activities for them to do outside, but for the most part, they came up with their own fun.

They made up the game "fishing for kids" (which also started our ban on jump ropes). They came up with a new way to play tag so that the little kids could play too. There was swimming, slip n slides and sprinklers. There were fruit pops to cool them down. There was happy laughing and very little pent up energy. Naps were amazing because the kids were worn out and not sick (like they are a good part of the winter). It made the days not quite so long. Even rough days weren't as rough as they seem in the colder months.

January is the toughest month of the year. The kids tend to get off of their schedules during the holidays, then they are cooped up without a way to get fresh air, energy builds inside of them, and no matter how many toy rotations I do, the toys seem like old news. Everyone is irritable and getting along is the least of the kiddos concerns in the middle of winter.

As much as I hate winter, it doesn't stop it from coming. I've got my ways to beat the winter blues with the kiddos, the most important being exercise time. If you'd like to see a group of 2-4 year olds doing jumping jacks, spinning in circles, balancing on a balance beam, doing somersaults, hopping, playing ring around the rosy, etc. come to my house every day where we have at least a half hour of exercise before nap times. This really helps expel their pent up energy. They're also allowed to yell, scream, use outside voices for 5 minutes of this time.

Other things that help get us through the winter: new toys, games, healthy food, a regular schedule, sensory activities, and bringing some of our summer fun inside with the water table, ball pit, and even some games of basketball and baseball have been known to be played in my living room.

While I plan on pulling out all of the tricks up my sleeve this winter, I'm counting down the days until sunshine, little pools, popsicles, and tans are part of our daily routine.

Need some more ideas of how to beat the winter blues with your little one(s). Check out this post from last winter: http://ashlen-kidspert.blogspot.com/2014/01/keeping-kids-entertained-this-winter.html

Bringing Christmas Cheer

Every year the minis and I take some time to spread a little Christmas cheer to people who have helped us throughout our year. I've been doing this for the past couple of years because I think it's important to let people know how they have impacted our life and to take the time to impact other lives.

I want people to know how much we appreciate their help and kindness throughout our year. I've got to be honest, I didn't know the importance of giving and letting people know these things until I had kids. Life got crazy and suddenly I found myself living off of the simple kindness of others: someone holding the door open for me as I pushed a double stroller through, someone who mentioned I was a good mother when I was ready to lose it, someone who would give my long, tired days a little bit of light.

While it took me far too long to realize how amazing a few kind words and actions from others can carry you, I knew right away I wanted my kids to learn the importance of doing this so they will always be appreciative of the simple kindness of others. I want those people to know that we appreciate them in hopes that I too can return the favor to someone who just needs a little kindness.

This goes beyond our central support system. This is the friendly pediatrician who answers our late night phone calls (like when the oldest scratched his cornea). This is the helpful receptionist who gets us in for appointments at our convenience rather than get annoyed that we (like a lot of other people) only have a small time frame to work with. This is the hair stylist who cut my hair just perfectly when I wasn't even sure what I wanted done with it. This is a cashier who kindly helped us return items when it was a stressful task. This is an acquaintance who always goes out of her way to support my writing. This is my neighbor who loves my kids. This is a man who goes out of his way to support local homeless families. This is our car repair man who fixed our van quickly. This is the pharmacist who is always helpful and remembers our faces.

This is the season of giving and give we should. I firmly believe you don't have to spend a ton of money on everyone you know. A few yummy treats and a card explaining exactly (I like to tell about the situation each person helped us out in) how they have impacted us seems to go a lot further than an extravagant gift. We want a better, friendlier world. Try letting those around you who make your world a better place know how they have done that for you.

On this day, I have celebrated the heart of Christmas. I have let these people know how the simple kindness in their voice put joy in my heart and made me realize once again how lucky I am.