In Appreciation of Snow Days

Recently there was a snow day in Southeastern Connecticut due to bad weather. This meant that the schools were closed for the day, and kids stayed home. Snow and ice combine for some very messy and unsafe driving. Each Winter, if we are fortunate, area schools have between two to five snow days when school is canceled for the whole day. There are other days that school is delayed ninety minutes to two hours due to bad weather, but this article will be dedicated to full-day school cancellation...otherwise known as "snow days.". While school is a very important function in a child's life, snow days serve a very important function as well. Snow days are an unexpected chance to relax, get extra sleep and have fun.Even children who don't seem to have very harried lives often do comparatively speaking. Pressures of tests, grades, getting along with peers, fitting into the latest fashion and beauty trends, boyfriend/girlfriend issues and a whole myriad of other tensions, unfortunately, have a place in many of our children's lives. Getting a one-day reprieve from all those pressures are a wonderful chance for children to just relax for a day.

What's a Snow Day Like?

Imagine as an adult, waking up and finding the land outside your window covered with six to twelve inches of beautiful, white fluffy snow, and receiving a phone call from your boss saying you don't have to show up for work because the roads are too icy and dangerous. I am sure you can think of many enjoyable things you can do during your unexpected day off. That is what like having a snow day is for children. They can get a break from their routine, and enjoy things they don't normally get to do during the week. They can:

- stay in the pajamas all morning while watching television

- Dress warmly and go outside to play with siblings and neighborhood children in the snow, building snowmen and snow forts.

- Come in from the cold, maybe after shoveling the driveway ( okay, this one is not so much fun) and enjoy a steaming cup of hot chocolate.

- Bake cookies with mom and eat them too!

- Catch up on homework they may have been behind on.

- Cuddle up with their dog and read a good book.

- Play video games.

- Make maple syrup snow cones by packing fresh snow into a cup and pouring maple syrup over it when they come inside.

Snow Days for Parents/Adults

This can also hold true for parents who either are home with their children or work in a school.For parents who are home with their children, snow days are great fun as well. They can:

- Sleep late because their children most likely are as well.

-Take a break from the crazy and harried morning routines of getting kids up, making sure they have their necessities for school organized, and driving them to school or making sure they get on the bus on time.

- Enjoy a leisurely cup of coffee while reading the paper at the breakfast table on a weekday.

- Have time to tackle a household project they were trying to find time for.

- Work on a hobby.

- Bake cookies with the kids.

- Take a walk in the silent falling beautiful white snow and enjoying a hot cup of coffee, tea or hot chocolate when returning to the house.

This list works just as well for teachers or school personnel who have children, who also have the day off from school. If they don't have kids, a snow day provides them with the opportunity to do any of the above that don't involve children, plus

- If the weather clears, they can meet a friend or a parent for lunch.

- Go shopping which they never have time for during the week.

- Catch up on anything they don't usually have time for.

- Light a fire in the fireplace and curl up with a blanket and a good book.

I am a huge fan of snow days as you can probably tell by now. I work for Kelly Educational Services as a substitute teacher and for the past few months have been a permanent sub in one school. I enjoy this work very much. My husband was quite surprised at my reaction to the recent snow day we had. He mentioned to me that he hadn't heard such excitement about a snow day since there were teens in the house. I am happy to live in New England in Winter and to have been able to enjoy snow days for many years. First, as a child, and now for the last eight years of working in area school systems.

Today is February 18th, 2014 and we are experiencing another day of snow, after three storms last week. At this point, I may be the only adult in Connecticut that still loves snow!

My wish for each of you readers is that you can someday enjoy the unexpected joy and beauty of a snow day!