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Guest Writer

HELPING KIDS UPNORTH: Keeping Them Busy and Warm










By

Alison

Neihard




Winter can be cold and long here in Northern Michigan. It can be hard and lonely to say the least. We get used to it and adapt. We end up spending lots of time inside because of the weather. The

days may seem endless. It can be rough for anyone including children. It can be harder when you have babies or young children.


You can feel isolated and alone. Winter tends to make us feel this way here in Northern Michigan to begin with, then add in the factor of having a young child. So, how do you keep from feeling isolated and alone over the long, cold winter? Get creative!


First of all, when you can go out with your children then do so. Take them to the library for story time. Take them to the store with you, just to get them out of the house. Dress them up warmly and take them outside to play or for a short walk. Even if it is just for ten or fifteen minutes. We all need fresh air.


The next thing you can do is get involved in a mommy and me group. If there isn’t one near you, create one! Find a local church who would be willing to host your group, or people in your group can take turns hosting. Find activities you can do as a group whether you stay inside or go outside, or both. The idea is to create a community of support and friendship.


When you have a stuck at home day, find some fun activities to you with your kids. Create an obstacle course in your house for your kids to go through. Make an inside fort from furniture and blankets. Get out art supplies and let them create. Have a picnic on the living room floor. Do

Winter can be cold and long here in Northern Michigan. It can be hard and some baking with them. Play some learning games. Get out some toys they normally don’t get to play with, like play dough.

Check out Pinterest for endless ideas to have fun with your kids. Yes, they will make messes, but it will be okay. They can also learn to clean up their messes and make memories all at once.


Let your kids help with chores around the house. They can learn to pick up their toys. Let them help put things away. Kids love to be helpful at a young age. Make it a game, let’s race! Kids are full of non-stop energy. They need to be able to let that energy out somehow.


In my opinion, kids don’t need screen timeto be busy. As a matter of fact, that tends to do just the opposite. Kids who are entertained by screens don’t learn to play and entertain themselves. They don’t learn how to use their imaginations. Let me kids be kids. Turn off the screens and let them

play. Instead of the screens being on, turn on some fun music and have a dace party! Get those wiggles out!



Ask other mom’s and kiddos over for a playdate. Your kids and you both need social interaction. The winter months are a struggle for so many because of seasonal depression. This can be a hard battle to fight for adults and kids alike. Have a group of moms of young children who check in on

each other, even if it is just a text message or a quick phone call.


Your days at home can be chaotic and stressful with kids home all the time. You can begin to feel trapped with no way out. It doesn’t need to be this way. It can alsobe days of fun and memory making. Your kids won’t remember how much time they spent watching endless hours of television.

What they will remember is their parents playing with them and having fun together as a family even if it is a snowy nasty blizzard outside.


Create a group of moms around you to be part of your tribe. Being a mom is no easy task. You have little to no time to yourself. You have very little adult interaction if you are home every day with your kids.


The world outside can be downright frightful, and I am not just talking about our winter storms. You are raising a child in a world that is downright scary. You need a group of people around you that

have your back. Your kids need a group of friends they can play, learn, and grow up with. So, when the storms of life come, or you are just having a bad day, you have a group of friends to lean on to help you and support you, no matter what is going on around you.

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Alison Neihardt has her own private practice in Northern Michigan where she counsels children, teens and their parents. She has been counseling in Northern Michigan for over 15 years. She has

written several books on children’s mental health. Check out her books on Amazon for yourself.


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