Winter brings the excitement of holidays, celebrations, and the first snow of the season (depending on where you live), yet it also blows in frigid temps and grey skies that can challenge us both physically and mentally. Those of us with chronic illness often feel winter’s bite even more strongly with extra fatigue and flares. So, what can you do to beat the winter blahs?
My picture book (coming in March, 2025 with Orca Book Publishers), KENZIE’S LITTLE TREE, illustrated by Emilie Leduc, features little Kenzie who is learning to deal with the ebbs and flows of her mom’s chronic illness through the seasons. In winter, Kenzie and her family play in the snow and build a blanket fort for cozy reading time.
Just like Kenzie’s family, my crew also enjoys these winter activities. My girls also love racing down bumpy sledding hills, but I don’t join in for that due to my ankylosing spondylitis. Missing out on activities like this used to upset me, but then I turned my focus to the numerous other activities that I could enjoy. (I also realized that very few moms actually do sled down icy hills.)
To beat the winter blahs with my family, I like to choose a few winter adventures that are physically manageable and fun for all. Read through the list below, choose an adventure or two, and enjoy the magic of winter with your kids!
