I am an ‘All Things Summer’ kinda gal. I love the beach, endless sunshine, and all sorts of summer shenanigans. For me, there’s nothing a pair of flip flops and a salt-rimmed margarita can’t solve. 

So, when those summer mornings start to get chilly and the sun starts setting earlier, I start to mourn the end of my favorite season. My heart is always very heavy on August 32nd. I have a hard time enjoying autumn’s beauty because all I see is an impending Polar Vortex looming around the corner. WINTER IS COMING!!! I’m fairly confident this will be the winter Jon Snow was warning us about!

A dear friend of mine, one with ‘All Things Winter’ as part of her genetic makeup, sent me a podcast discussing the hygee lifest‌yle. If you haven’t heard of this, hygge is a Danish word that doesn’t have an exact translation into the English language but is more of a feeling of coziness and togetherness. It’s probably better described as a feeling of gratitude, appreciation, and enjoyment of the moments. And here’s where I experienced my AH-HA moment! As a parent coach, it is my job to guide my clients to have a more positive outlook. I help families on a journey to transformational change one small step at a time. Are you seeing the irony here?? My focus has been all wrong and I have been sabotaging myself—okay, winter doesn’t have to be my favorite season, but by all means, I can certainly embrace it and find the good it has to offer. It’s time to take on my personal “Project: Embracing Winter!”

The thing about change is, well, it’s just hard. We’ve all experienced breaking old habits and creating new ones, and it’s downright tough! In order for the change to happen, there has to be a level of awareness, an intentional goal, and motivation to get the ball rolling. And, while we want the change to happen instantly, it’s important to understand that change is more likely to stick with practice, consistency, and a positive outlook. I decided it’s time to take my own advice and learn to change my perspective on winter. 

When I envision how I’d like the next few months to look, all I see is hygge. Allowing myself to slow down and savor the moments—especially the cozy ones! Rather than sulk on the numerous dreary winter days New Jersey seems to offer, I’d like to celebrate the bright, crisp days we do encounter. I’d like to look forward to feeling comfortable while spending time outside in the cold. Ideally, I’d like my family to try new activities outside together…without feeling miserable…and with minimal complaining! In a nutshell, I want to feel like I’m living it up through winter rather than just getting through it. 

After some soul searching, Pinterest surfing, and lots of getting myself mentally psyched, I’m ready to take on “Project: Embracing Winter.” 

1. Reframe is the name of the game! If I’m constantly expecting the worst, the worst is what I will find. Reframing negative thoughts will help me shift my perspective to focus on the good, what’s currently working and the small moments I’m appreciating. BOOM! Automatic gratification! 

2. Inventory the outwear. Time to assess all our winter pieces and order whatever we’re lacking (like super warm socks!) so we can tolerate some extended time in the cold. I’m tossing the idea of dressing to look fashionable, not sure if I ever achieved that anyway! I’m confident we’ll all enjoy the elements more if we are dressed appropriately. There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing, am I right? 

3. ‘Creating cozy’ inside and outside my home. According to Pinterest, you can reinvent any space by adding some blankets (I’m thinking of the heated sort!), pillows, candles, and strands of lights! And, by the way, I’m fairly confident nobody will be in my house for the next few months, so I’m in no rush to take down pretty Christmas lights! 

4. Let’s make a date! My kids always make a summer bucket list, so why not a winter bucket list? We can put an activity on the calendar each week that will include something everyone enjoys (that’s my ‘reduce the complaining’ plan!!). An ideal outing for us could be bundling up, enjoying an easy hike, and sharing some hot cocoa with marshmallows upon our destination. 

5. Let’s get cooking! Finding new recipes that are hearty and comforting that can be enjoyed outside may be a big win this season. Maybe even getting the whole family involved with making dinners like fondue or sushi could be a lot of fun. For outside entertaining, how great would it be to make a s’mores charcuterie board and a hot cocoa station for outside guests!? Yes, please!!

6. Enjoy old favorites in a new way. There are so many activities we enjoy during the summer that could be new winter fun with a twist. I plan to check out some outdoor locations we normally visit during the warmer months like the beach, boardwalk, maybe even an arboretum. With evenings happening earlier in the winter, occasional sunset walks before dinner could be enjoyable. If it’s mild enough, an outdoor movie night would be a great way to spend an evening with family or friends. 

When challenged to make a change, you can resist it and fight every step of the way, or you can embrace the change and make the most of it. While I may not have control over this situation, I do have control over my attitude, perception, and actions (says my inner control freak). It’s certainly not easy to keep your focus on finding the good, but I’m flipping my perspective and taking small steps to make the most of this winter! And, if those tips don’t make me a convert, at least they will help occupy my time as I countdown the days to the first day of summer.

 

Hi! I'm Rebecca from Real Life Parent Coaching. I use my background as an educator to help parents discover & cultivate their strengths and reach their parenting potential. I live in New Jersey with my husband and two kids. I enjoy exploring, being creative & having fun with my crew!

Designer, author, HGTV star and mama to five Joanna Gaines recently showed off just how much fun her fam is having during the wild winter weather. When the Polar Vortex put the deep freeze on, the Gaines’ got out and about—even baby Crew!

Gaines posted an absolutely aww-dorable pic, on Instagram, of her little cutie Crew bundled up in toasty-looking bunting—captioning the post, “My very own snow angel.”

While we’re pretty sure that Crew (who was born last June, making him well under one-year) didn’t make the “snow angel” himself, he certainly looks heavenly in his teeny tiny The North Face Infant Thermoball Bunting. But don’t worry, Crew isn’t the only baby who can benefit from this sweet snowsuit. The highly rated infant snowsuit sells on Amazon for between $120 and $215 (depending on the color and size choice).

If Crew’s cuddly bunting is more than you want to spend on a snowsuit that your kiddo will only get a few months’ wear out of, you have plenty of other similar choices.

Columbia’s Baby Snuggly Bunny Bunting ($65-$95), iXtreme’s Baby Expediaition Puffer Winter Snowsuit Bunting ($40) and the Wippette Heart Foil Pram ($25-$45) are all awesomely economical options!

—Erica Loop

Featured Photo: Joanna Gaines via Instagram 

 

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Is it us, or is it COLD? If you’re a resident of the Midwest, that’s definitely an understatement and that’s why we’ve rounded up a good batch of hilarious tweets about the Polar Vortex.

While the kids might be enjoying their time off from school for the ultimate snow day, parents have a few other thoughts on the issue.

 

1. Jackets are for wimps.

2. Mad.HOUSE.

3. This is true.

4. You can COUNT on it!

5. It’s about to get dangerous up in here.

 6. This is going to be a must-read.

7. Oh totally.

8. BOTH WAYS.

9. When the Polar Vortex seems never ending.

10. Even snow days won’t stop a good dad joke.

 

––Karly Wood

Photo by Ryan McGuire via Gratisography; composite by Karly Wood for Red Tricycle

 

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Earlier this week, the Cedar Rapids Fire Department delivered a baby during the Polar Vortex. While you might expect baby delivering duties to fall into the hands of an OB/GYN or midwife, when duty calls, these first responders came through in an amazing way.

Sometimes the birth plan doesn’t work out as hoped. When mama-to-be Cassy Abram and husband Scotty were told that Scotty Jr. just wasn’t ready for his grand debut, the expectant couple left the hospital and returned to their Cedar Rapids, Iowa home. But apparently Scotty Jr. wasn’t in agreement with the hospital staff’s assessment. Minutes after arriving home, Cassy was in labor and the baby was coming.

Imminently soon-to-be dad Scotty called the Cedar Rapids Fire Department and got to work actually delivering his baby. In an interview with CNN, Cassy’s aunt, Larissa Ruffin, said, “EMTsarrived about 10 minutes later and they let dad cut the umbilical cord on the living room floor.”

But wait, the story gets better. Not only did the unplanned home birth go flawlessly, the firefighters didn’t stop at the delivery. In a now-viral Facebook post, a pic of two firefighters shoveling the new family of three’s driveway melted hearts across the internet.

One commenter wrote, “Your firefighters rock! That took one huge weight off of a new dad’s shoulders, and let him enjoy some special time with his wife and new son. Those firefighters deserve a huge pat on the back, a warm blanket and some hot cocoa.”

Summing it up, another FB commenter added, “Well done! This was such a beautiful gesture and a nice reminder of the goodness in the world. Thank you for your work.”

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Shelby Miller via Unsplash

 

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While much of the country is just focused on staying warm––thanks, polar vortex!––Twitter is doing its thing, making us laugh. If you need something to take the chill off, grab your cup of hot cocoa, a blanket and get warm reading some of these hilarious tweets from our roundup this week.

 

1. 🤦🏻‍♀️

2. It’s not just a day, it’s an event.

3. Business as usual.

4. Just for 5 minutes!

5. ALL THE SNACKS.

6. Are you an amateur or a veteran?

7. It’s an acquired taste.

8. Practically a documentary.

9. Sleep: a visual representation.

10. You can call me “dad.”

 

––Karly Wood

Photo by Ryan McGuire via Gratisography; composite by Karly Wood for Red Tricycle

 

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Chicago’s unique vocabulary and insider references could fill up an entire dictionary. We figured it was time for an addendum just for you parents out there. Here’s a lesson in local lingo for Moms and Dads.

Dan Ryan
Everywhere else: Common names for dudes.
In Chicago: The clogged interstate where your little one conveniently decides to have meltdowns or diaper blowouts during rush hour.

photo: David Wilson via Flickr

Wiggleworms
Everywhere else: Kids that can’t sit still, no matter how many candy bribes their parents offer.
In Chicago: Old Town School of Folk Music’s music- and puppetry-filled classes that get babies and toddlers shaking their thang.

photo: Old Town School of Folk Music

The Jewels
Everywhere else: Precious gems.
In Chicago: Where you buy your groceries. Replace “The” with “Da” on the South Side.

 photo: Jewel-Osco Facebook page

Cubs & Sox
Everywhere else: Crosstown teams that typically need minor miracles to win.
In Chicago: A fandom choice you make for your child at birth. Switching sides or choosing Wisconsin is grounds for disownment.

photo: courtesy of a Red Tricycle reader

Babies, Tots n’ More
Everywhere else: What you see at a zoo, park or Yo Gabba Gabba! concert.
In Chicago: The twice-yearly consignment sale that’s so big, Moms have gone in and come back out hours later with bouncy seats, strollers and enough clothes to dress a small village.

photo: Babies, Tots n’ More Facebook page

Prentice
Everywhere else: An archaic word for “apprentice.”
In Chicago: The hospital where many bouncing babies are born.

photo: bradleypjohnson via Flickr

The Bean
Everywhere else: What’s usually left ignored on a kid’s dinner plate.
In Chicago: The shiny silver sculpture that your child left a nose print on, just before you took a family selfie.

photo: Cody Austin via Flickr

NPN
Everywhere else: A acronym for what sounds like some big fancy corporation.
In Chicago: A warm group of parents (Neighborhood Parents Network) that plan events for learning and fun.

photo: NPN via Alexis Staryk Photography

The El:
Everywhere else: The 12th letter in the alphabet.
In Chicago: The elevated train system you take with your kids — but only while clinging to hand sanitizer like it’s the key to the universe.

photo: discosour via Flickr

Bubbles
Everywhere else: What you can blow using soapy water and a wand.
In Chicago: Lincoln Park’s magical play space and education center that delights parents through the baby and toddler years. (See also: Little Beans Cafe, Purple Monkey Playroom, Kidville, Sod Room.)

photo: Bubbles Academy

Polar Vortex
Everywhere else: Something very cold.
In Chicago: Something very, very, extremely, overwhelmingly, need-three-snowsuits-and-omg-my-eyelashes-are-frozen cold.

photo: Rob Swystun via Flickr

Cheers
Everywhere else: What you say when you raise a glass.
In Chicago: A Facebook moms group that insiders rave about.

photo: Donnie Ray Jones via Flickr

Sue
Everywhere else: What you do when you want to take somebody to court.
In Chicago: The large bony T.rex that greets you in the lobby of The Field Museum.

photo: Kelly Aiglon

Magnet
Everywhere else: A piece of iron that attracts other iron-containing objects.
In Chicago: The type of school you become obsessed with getting your kid into when he or she is still in utero.

photo: Catherine via Flickr

The Suburbs
Everywhere else: Big yards, green grass, good schools, peace and quiet.
In Chicago: All of the above. Otherwise known as “way out there” and “the country” to city parents.

photo: LancerE via Flickr

The City
Everywhere else: Awesome architecture, exciting sports, beautiful lake, amazing museums.
In Chicago: All of the above. Otherwise known as “way out there” and “date night Mecca” to suburban parents.

photo: Nicolas Henderson via Flickr

Oak Park & Evanston
Everywhere else: Suburbs on the west and north side.
In Chicago: All of the above. Otherwise known as “still the city — really, we swear” to parents that live there.

photo: Eric Fredericks via Flickr

Do you have any additions to our dictionary? Let us know in the Comments!

— Kelly Aiglon

Did Hurricane Sandy find you fielding questions from your kids that made you wish you had your eighth grade science teacher on speed dial? Was “I don’t know” an insufficient answer to the plea, “Why is it so cold?!” during the Polar Vortex? Is your kid really into tornados? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions (or think your child would like a cool, interactive science exhibit) head to the Nature’s Fury at the American Museum of Natural History like the wind!


Build Your Own Volcano photo: © AMNH/D. Finnin

What’s It All About? 

Nature’s Fury: The Science of Natural Disasters explores the causes of natural disasters and the consequences of these events, while also considering the risks they pose. But it’s not all rocks and wind: the show also tells the stories of how individuals and communities cope and adapt in the aftermath of these tragedies, and how scientists are helping to reduce the risks, plan responses and prepare for future disasters.

Exhibit overview photo: © AMNH/D. Finnin

Earth, Wind & Fire

The show considers in-depth four kinds of major natural disasters: earthquakes, volcanoes, tornadoes, and hurricanes, and utilizes powerful footage and images of the events and their aftermath throughout. Nature’s Fury gives visitors the opportunity to learn about these phenomena in a variety of ways, from audio and video clips to numerous interactive stations. You’ll find many of Mother Nature’s most famous creations, both recent and ancient, such as the eruptions of Mt. Vesuvius in Pompeii in 79 A.D. and Mt. St. Helens in 1980, Hurricanes Camille and Katrina, and yes, our local celebrity storm, Sandy.

Shake it up interactive photo: © AMNH/R. Mickens

Moving and Shaking

There’s lots to learn here — you’ll find refresher courses in what, exactly a tectonic plate is, and get a breakdown of how, a tornado forms, for example — but the big hits with kids will be the interactive elements of the show. Highlights include the chance to “Build Your Own Volcano” by mixing “goo” and “gas” (and then watching it erupt); causing an earthquake by jumping up and down (and seeing activity register on a seismometer), and standing in the eye of a roaring tornado (thanks to a special filming device placed directly in the path of a giant twister).

Standing in the eye of a tornado photo: © AMNH/M. Shanley

Sandy From Start to Finish

Originally conceived at Chicago’s Field Museum, the Museum of Natural History’s version of the exhibit includes additional pieces from the New York institution’s collection, and an entirely new element New Yorkers will find extremely compelling: a large-scale, interactive map that shows the movement of Superstorm Sandy through the New York area with an explanatory narration. (We saw one kid find his neighborhood on the map.)

Hurricane Sandy interactive photo: © AMNH/D. Finnin

In addition to the cool stuff to do, Nature’s Fury includes many impressive artifacts that effectively illustrate the force and power of these events. You’ll see beads and jewelry trapped in volcanic rock from Vesuvius, bent traffic signs and metal chairs ravaged by a 2007 tornado in Greensburg, Kansas, and posters submerged in the rising waters of Katrina.

Nature’s Fury is probably best for older museum-goers, who will be able to fully appreciate and experience the exhibit’s content. It impressively packs in a lot of science and information, without being boring, and is sure to leave your kids with a deeper understanding of the awesome power of nature, in every sense of the word.

Nature’s Fury: The Science of Natural Disasters
The American Museum of Natural History
Through Aug. 9
$22/adults; $17/students/seniors, $12.50/children
Central Park West at 79th Street
Upper West Side
212-769-5100
Online: amnh.org

Will you be visiting Nature’s Fury? Let us know in the comments below!

—Mimi O’Connor

 

Will we see Polar Vortex 2.0 this winter? No need to shiver at the thought — not when there are tons of great cold-weather outerwear and accessories options out there. Get prepped for the frosty months ahead and flip through our album. We’ve picked our favorite winter jackets, snowsuits, mittens, boots and more. Warm and toasty, here you come!

Shell Jacket – Polarn O. Pyret

The folks at Polarn O. Pyret have thought of everything. This jacket's shell is wind and waterproof. The universal snap-in feature allows the jacket to work with other fleece and puff jackets from their line. Reflective bands, a detachable hood and a lined collar are just a few of the added details we love about this winter warrior.

Available at polarnopyretusa.com, $122.

Where do you shop for everything you need to bundle up? Let us know in the Comments!

— Ashley Jonas

Phew! Who knew we’d ever be caught up in something called a polar vortex? We made it through this time and if it should happen again (or, if you loved laying around in your PJs so much you want more indoor-only days), here are 10 great indoor activities that’ll keep you warm and busy. Click through the slideshow to take a peek.

Shop ‘til You Drop Grocery Store
Tots are obsessed with those kid-sized grocery carts at the store, and you can bring the fun home by setting up your very own grocery store for them to shop til they drop. Open your cupboards and grab a few cereal boxes, get empty egg and milk cartons from your recycling bin, and rummage through your kid’s play food collection to stock the ‘shelves’ of your store. You can design your makeshift store as simply or as elaborately as you’d like. After you set up shop, let your child “drive” to the store on a play vehicle, and have her put her baby doll in the front of the shopping cart. Let her wheel the cart through the aisles or stations of items to make her selections, then use a play cash register to ring up her sale and let her bag up her purchases in a reusable bag. Next, let her be the grocery clerk and you be the shopper! Learn more about setting up an indoor grocery store here.

How do you beat cabin fever with your kids? Let us know your creative ways to keep your kiddos occupied when you’re all stuck inside.  

Written by: Beth Shea

All images of copyright Beth Shea unless otherwise noted

For more fun indoor activities like these, click HERE

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Filmed in Oslo, Norway, this video is a hidden-camera campaign by the charity SOS Children’s Village. It shows what strangers do when they encounter a freezing child on a public bench. Get ready to grab some tissues and cuddle your little ones close because it’s heartwarming enough to melt the polar vortex.

Simple, effective and to the point — Synne Rønning, PR Manager of SOS Children’s Villages Norway says, “People should care as much about children in Syria as they care about this boy.” Note: This boy was a brave volunteer/child actor who was closely watched during the filming.

SOS Children’s Village is an international charity. While the Norway branch is currently campaigning to provide warm clothing for displaced children in Syria, there are divisions all over the world. Check out the USA website here.

—Christal Yuen