Parenting
Let Them Enjoy the Snow (and Taste It Too)
by Lisa Thompson
Updated: Jan. 11, 2021
Originally Published: Jan. 13, 2017
My idea of the ideal snow day involves cozying up by the window in my favorite bathrobe and fuzzy socks, with a warm cup of tea in hand, comfortably watching the snow fall outside. My kids, however, are eager to race outside the moment the first snowflake lands. I often convince my partner to take them out with a few classic excuses like, “I need to tidy the house,” or “I’ll whip up some hot chocolate for you!”
Honestly, I’m not a fan of snow at all. It’s too chilly, messy, and I definitely don’t enjoy dodging snowballs from my energetic boys. So, I happily observe them constructing snowmen from the warmth of indoors while I “clean,” ensuring that the hot chocolate I’ve been “working hard” on for the last twenty minutes is steaming when they return.
Unfortunately, I can’t escape the snow entirely. Living in the Northeast means it blankets the ground for about six weeks each winter. When I walk my kids to school, a simple five-minute jaunt turns into a delightful fifteen-minute snow escapade.
What is it about snow that captivates children? They are drawn to it like magnets, unable to resist the urge to touch, roll in, and even taste it. My ten-year-old is nearly out of the enchanted phase, but my four-year-old is completely entranced.
On winter mornings, a walk to school with my little one involves about twenty-five snowballs thrown, a fair amount of “ice skating” (which is really just him falling), and roughly fifty handfuls of snow that he enthusiastically licks and consumes (“Nothing yellow or brown!” I find myself reminding him continuously). He climbs every snowbank in sight, and I often find myself rescuing his cold, snow-covered body from them.
Let’s be real: when it’s 8 a.m. and I’m trying to hurry along a group of slowpokes so we can reach school — and I can get to work on time — I struggle with patience for such antics.
However, the other day, after dropping off his older brother, I had a change of heart. As we headed to pre-K, my little one, already snow-drenched, veered off course to shake snow off every bush. Checking the time on my phone, I felt frustration building inside.
“Come on, let’s go!” I called out as he ran in the opposite direction. He dashed back to me, a handful of snow clutched in his mitten, his huge, sparkling eyes looking up at me. “But, Mommy, it’s so magical, isn’t it?” he exclaimed.
There’s nothing like the pure, unfiltered wonder of a child to shift your perspective. Young children are blissfully unaware of time constraints and responsibilities; they don’t even know what day it is, let alone how many minutes they’re “wasting” by exploring every snowflake.
To them, the world is suddenly blanketed in this stunning white substance, and it leaves them in awe. Each snowfall is a new experience, something to marvel at and cherish.
You know how some cultures have numerous words for snow because there are so many variations? My son embodies that curiosity, examining each type of snow and asking countless questions about why some patches are different and how it has transformed since it first fell.
He’s learning about nature, science, and the changing seasons. He’s exercising his muscles, honing his climbing skills, and mastering balance. He’s even picking up lessons about when snow is safe to eat (it turns out most fresh snow is safe!).
So this winter, I’m making a conscious effort to let my kids revel in the snow. I’ll carve out a little extra time each morning so they can play as long as they wish. I’ll strive to be less concerned about them being tardy to school (and I know not everyone agrees with this approach) or if they come inside completely covered in snow.
I’ll let them indulge in snow for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I’m going to work on my own impatience, frustration, and coldness so they can create joyful memories while they’re still innocent and delightful.
Our children have only a brief window to be kids, just a handful of years to experience the world through the enthusiastic lens of childhood — a fleeting time to see the icy, slushy snow not as a hassle, but as a miracle that brightens the world.
So, let’s bundle up, push aside our objections, and let them enjoy it all. And to my sweet little one: I completely agree. It truly is magical.
This article was originally published on Jan. 13, 2017.
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Summary
Embracing the magic of snow through a child’s eyes is a reminder to let go of adult responsibilities sometimes. Snow days are an opportunity for kids to explore, learn, and create joyful memories. Instead of rushing through winter routines, let’s cherish these fleeting moments of childhood wonder.