Turn That Winter Frown Upside Down!

The festivities of the holidays are over, and as we move into the month of February many of us may be down in the dumps anticipating two more months of gray, snowy weather.  It’s easy to feel that way when it’s cold outside, you’re faced with a stack of bills from Christmas, and you haven’t seen the sun in two weeks.  But there are many ways to enjoy the next two months and bring some “sunshine” into your home as you wait from spring to arrive.  Here are some ideas to make that happen:

1. Share hugs - Make a point of hugging your kids every day and telling them how much you love them.  Do the same for the other special people in your life.  Hugs can turn a bad mood upside down, lower stress, and build stronger bonds.
2. Do things that make others happy – Have your child help you bake some muffins or cookies then take them to a neighbor, senior citizen, or friend.  When we do good things for others, we feel good.  More importantly, when children watch you care for and share with others, they are more likely to be helpful, generous, compassionate, and forgiving—and they’re also more likely to be happy and healthy.
3. Go on a Mommy (or Daddy) date – Sometime in the next two months take each of your children out for a special “date.”  Stop for a favorite treat on the way home from the grocery store, snuggle under a blanket and read your child his/her favorite book, go outside and play in the snow together, etc.  Remember to put away the phone and focus on your child and the activity.  By doing so you let your child know how important he/she is to you.
4. Get your Seuss on – March is Reading Month, and March 2nd is Dr. Seuss’s birthday.  Go to the library and get your favorite Dr. Seuss book (if you don’t already have one at home).  Read it with your child and then check out one of these websites for fun and creative ideas to build your child’s language skills and creativity.  They’re Seuss-tastic!  

www.icanteachmychild.com/the-ultimate-list-of-dr-seuss activities/

www.seussville.com/games/

5. Goof off! – Sunday, March 22 is National Goof Off Day.  Do something silly or different.  Have a picnic on the family room floor, wear your pajamas all day long, take pictures of you and your child making silly faces, sing and dance to music, blow bubbles, etc.  By engaging in silly activities with your child you help develop your child’s sense of humor and create lasting memories filled with laughter.
6. Make an egg carton garden – Get a packet of seeds from the store and some soil.  Cut off the top of the egg carton and set it aside. Poke a small hole in the bottom of each cup then place the top of the carton underneath it to catch any water. Place a small amount of dirt in each cup. Have your child poke a finger in each cup and then drop in a seed or two.  Cover with dirt and spoon a small amount of water into each cup.  Set the egg carton in a spot that gets lots of light/sun.  Continue to water the plants about once every other day.  You can transfer the seedlings to a larger pot once they have sprouted leaves or plant them outside if the weather is warm enough.  By helping to take care of the “garden” your child learns responsibility and begins to understand how plants grow.

These activities, and others like them, will fill the next two months with fun, learning, and togetherness.  And Spring will be here before you know it!

Holly Nichols is a School Psychologist with the Early On program in Ionia, Michigan.