“Oh, the weather outside is frightful…” That pretty much sums it up. It’s ridiculously cold out there, and even stepping outside to grab the mail feels like an assault on your face. Your car takes ages to warm up, only to finally reach a comfortable temperature once you’ve arrived at your destination.
Sorry to break it to you, but winter isn’t on its way—it’s already here, especially for those of us in the Northern or Midwestern regions. It’s officially the season for snow boots and winter hats, and around here, it doesn’t let up until April.
To make matters more challenging, we are dealing with a pandemic this winter, heightening our fears about germs. While COVID-19 has us venturing out less and braving the cold only when necessary, it also means being stuck indoors more than ever, which can take a toll on our mental well-being as we battle cabin fever.
So if you find yourself endlessly searching for “homes for sale in sunny California” every February and cursing under your breath while shoveling the driveway at 6 a.m., you’re not alone. Sure, fresh snow can be beautiful, and the holidays may bring joy, but in so many ways, the short days and long weeks of winter can be downright miserable. And add COVID-19 into the mix? The absolute worst.
I catch every cold that comes my way, usually falling ill 2-3 times during winter. Here I am, sick again today. How would someone like me even know if I had the coronavirus? It’s exhausting.
Confessional #25771556
My partner and child are coughing, and all I can think is—DO NOT let my other child get sick. He’s the one who goes from a slight cold to needing emergency care in just 24 hours. Ugh, winter and germs.
Confessional #25766929
I’ve been so unwell this winter—flu, colds, sinus infections. I think I might even have high blood pressure now. Time for me to start prioritizing my health. The time is now.
Confessional #22566177
Even in a typical year, as winter approaches, our thoughts are consumed by germs. My family catches the stomach flu every winter, passing it around like it’s a party favor. Add in some random fevers and endless sniffles, and winter at our house means frequent trips to the drugstore and a whole lot of disinfecting.
I’m obsessed with stocking up my pantry and freezer for this winter. I’m worried it’s going to be chaotic.
Confessional #25797786
I’m fed up with online schooling. My kids are good students, but they require a lot of structure to stay focused. It’s like trying to catch Jello with a sieve, and I’m already drowning in chaos with my 4-year-old who NEVER. STOPS. MOVING. And now winter is here. Great.
Confessional #25801164
Going back into semi-lockdown for an entire winter with these kids is either going to give me a fantastic sense of humor or lead to a complete meltdown.
Confessional #25801673
But this year is worse than ever. COVID means no excitement to look forward to—no holiday gatherings, no visits from Santa, no school parties, or neighborhood cookie exchanges. Just month after month of staring at the same family we’ve been stuck with since March, living the same day over and over again.
Being a stay-at-home parent during winter in Kansas feels like imprisonment. A prison where you also handle all the cooking, cleaning, and laundry, while the warden is demanding and speaks a different language.
Confessional #25769593
When my partner got home last night, I locked myself in my room and chugged a beer. I felt much better, lol. Being trapped indoors with two toddlers in the Midwest winter is no joke.
Confessional #25765029
My partner is off work again. Midwest winter. Stay-at-home parent. Weeks at home with him. I feel like I’m about to star in my own episode of Snapped.
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My toddler is watching way too much TV these days, but I’m too burned out to care. Stay-at-home mom with no family nearby and a partner who never stops working. I’m just doing what I can to survive these long winter days.
Confessional #21757716
Stay-at-home parents have unique challenges in winter, cooped up with energetic little ones who swing from the chandeliers and spill juice all over the floor. Parents need zoo trips and park outings to help their kids burn off energy for those precious naps. But in winter, there are days when we can’t take the kids outside due to the cold or the darkness that falls at 3 p.m. That can lead to some of the darkest days of parenting (literally).
My winter blues are turning me into a huge grouch. I feel bad about it, but my usual coping strategies aren’t working this year. Maybe my partner will finally consider moving?
Confessional #21911752
I really want to live in San Diego. Is that even possible? Can people afford that? I’m just so over winter.
Confessional #21750465
I’ve always struggled with the long winters in the Midwest, but it’s been especially tough this year with my 4-year-old and 2-year-old stuck inside. I need to relocate. I can’t handle this anymore. I need fresh air.
Confessional #21270252
It’s gray and freezing outside. Won’t be warm for months. My sister-in-law said, “I don’t mind it; I like a change of seasons.” Really? You enjoy going from pleasant to miserable for four months? Forget that. Winter enthusiasts can go to hell. I’m moving.
Confessional #21052013
Some of us genuinely enjoy living where all four seasons exist, but those winters can be incredibly long. So after ten straight days of subzero temperatures in late January, we might find ourselves browsing real estate listings in Arizona… even if it’s just a fantasy to help warm our chilly bones.
Another reason I loathe winter? Parking bans! No parking on my side of the street because the neighbors park like jerks, ensuring that nobody else can park here.
Confessional #25760289
Here we go again with my partner’s obsession with winter weather. The world better hush so he can watch it every hour on the hour. It’s not going to change, babe. Lucky me.
Confessional #25758655
Why do other women look so adorable in winter hats? I feel like a serial killer in mine.
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I love having smooth legs. BUT goosebumps = instant stubble. Winter = instant goosebumps. Therefore, it’s a total waste of time to shave in winter.
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There are many reasons to dislike winter—from parking restrictions to spouses obsessing over the forecast to the fact that we look like lumberjacks in our 72 layers of winter gear.
But remember, it doesn’t last forever. Eventually, the sun will stay out past 5, the snowmen and icicles will melt, and we won’t get frostbite just by taking out the trash. Until then, hang in there. Brew some hot tea, snuggle up for your 986th family movie night, and pick up a book or puzzle. Spring will arrive in a few months, along with (maybe? hopefully?) a vaccine, and then we can all emerge from hibernation, shave off our winter fuzz, and gather at the park. Until that time, we’ll be hunkered down at home, wrapped in blankets, and we’ll see you on Zoom.
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In summary, winter brings unique challenges for stay-at-home parents, especially during a pandemic. The struggle with germs, cabin fever, and maintaining sanity while cooped up indoors can feel overwhelming. However, it’s essential to remember that winter is temporary, and brighter days are ahead.