When I was a kid, I would excitedly roll out of bed and peek out the window at the crack of dawn to see if it had snowed when snow was in the forecast.
There would be major fist-bumping to see a sheet of white as I waited with anticipation for the inevitable call from the school with one crucial message: SNOW DAY.
A snow day. A day when school was canceled, and I was able to go outside and play. Build snowmen or makeshift igloos. Have snowball fights. Red-cheeked and sweating from the heat of my snow clothes, while my gloved fingers still froze and lost all feeling as they dug into the snow.
When I got older, snow days were still days of no school. I could sleep in, then binge on my TV shows or books. The goal was to somehow get with a friend so you could do a whole lot of nothing together.
Snow days were unplanned vacation days from school. They were a gift. A reprieve. A mental health day.
They were great.
My kids have shared my same excitement with impending snow and snow days. Anxiously waiting for the school to call and set them free from education for a day. Running to our bins of snow pants and winter gear to rummage and find clothes to adequately cover their bodies for hours of playing in the snow.
Until now, that is.
The educational system has learned the child doesn’t necessarily have to be IN the school for learning to take place. The kids can zoom their classes and follow their assignments neatly from home. So why would a little snow matter?
Snow days are now a thing of the past for our school district. Online learning has come to save the day.
Yippee.
So, when snow was in the forecast for our town, the school district decided to turn to this opportunity. Tuesday night, the call came – schools will be physically closed, but online learning will occur for students on Wednesday and Thursday.
Little faces could not have been more distraught. The injustice of sitting on zoom when there was perfectly good snow to play in right outside the front door!
Thankfully, the snow came at the end of the school day on Wednesday. As students finished up with their classes, they ran out into the street to play.
For some strange reason, we did not get any snow last year. This made the snow this year even more special.
This morning Declan was up at the crack of dawn to play outside before school. Then for his hour lunch break, and then again when the day was over. Just enough time for me to dry his wet snow gear in between play sessions. The older two found their friends to go sledding.
In the future, if the kids were to wake up to see a sheet of white – fresh snow begging to be played with – I will let them skip online learning and play outside. They’re kids and snow days are little gifts from heaven that should not be lost.
Snow days will now be called “excused absence” days. I will not let 2020 take snow days too!
Aww They should let the kids take a little break! I like the idea of snow days being absence days. A day of joy won’t make them forget what they’ve studied 🤗 PS: That window is such a cozy spot!
I agree! Snow days were something special – you can’t take those away!
It is! Most of the time the dogs are on it. Before I had dogs that sat there (or kids) it was loaded with my plants. I’ve had to get creative with different areas for the plants to enjoy and grow!
Aww… my comment didnt go through.
My ex grew up in snow, so we’d give the girls a random day off from school just because and call them a “snow day”. Sometimes in winter we’d even drive 45 minutes to the local mountains to play in the snow😉
I think it’s great that you’re gonna let the kids keep their snow days! Mental health is important!!🌨❄☃️💃🏼🌠💫💕
I have always lived around snow and have always appreciated a snow day (as an adult AND as a kid). They are the best! I can’t believe they are taking them away. I hope not for good. If so, I am just going to excuse the kids and let them have their snow day. They are such a treat!
You’re a good mom. My work closed both days. I felt a little guilty sitting with a cup of coffee relaxing while Eli was zooming. I wonder what will happen next year when they’re back in school. Are snow days gone FOREVER???
That is what I was thinking too. Now that the school knows they CAN find a way around a snow day, will they always take it away? I hope not. Snow days are treats to be enjoyed.
That sucks!! Haha, I thought it was just the UK that had snow days, through not having snow-clearing equipment and stuff.
They should definitely re-instate snow days. Maybe society has to get creative with finding a reason for them? (As in, sabotage lol).
No but maybe when it’s back to normal and people aren’t already in the flow of learning from home, then it’ll go back to being a major hassle to suddenly switch to it, so snow days will return? 🤔. You could just say that your internet was out for the one day, due to snow? 😄
I was thinking the same. This time they sent an email to remind their kids to take everything from their desks in case they were returning from home. At some point a random snowfall will fall without the kids being able to bring everything home beforehand, right? That is what I am hoping for. The spontaneity of mother nature to throw everything off and declare another real snow day! 🙂
😄. Yep, has to happen!
What grinches! Just let the kids have their snow day. 😂 I like your approach for the future with snow days.
I remember when I was a kid I had stayed up all night thinking we were getting a snow day. And we didn’t! I almost fell asleep in class cuz I was so tired.
Christmas is almost here. Declan must be so excited!!!
There was always that chance – the expected snow day that never occurred. They were total bummers! But to take them away now because the kids CAN do work online? I’d rather not. Let the kids have the treat!
I can’t believe it. Right around the corner! T must be so excited as well!!!
We get snow days whenever there is enough snow to make it difficult for the school buses to get around on the roads. This year we have had snow but not enough to get a snow day. You are right! Call it a snow day and dispense with ‘online learning’. Heck! Snow is a gift to play in and who needs to spend a perfectly good snowy day stuck in front of a computer screen. You are a great Mum.😀
Thank you! I agree – snow days are meant for playing in the snow or relaxing away from school. Online school is great for COVID but not for taking away the little things we enjoy each school year. Here’s hoping this is just for now, and the fun of an actual snow day will return in the years to come!
My thoughts exactly! We’re in the UK and get a light dusting of snow every 5 years or so! 😂
One morning last year we woke up to about 2 cm of snow and took the children to the park (we had bought a sled in anticipation of the “snow storm” a few days earlier). The park was deserted as everyone else was at school. The kids had a blast though! Their absence was considered unauthorized but we had no regrets whatsoever! Best day ever!
Ana
Yes! Let them have the fun – those are the days that make great memories!
Same with work…
I used to get snow-days when the government announced, but now I have to work… just from home. So, what good IS snow, Robyn???
There is nothing good about it anymore. Even my gym instructors complained. Before a snow day was a snow day – now they have to zoom too. Snow has lost its magical-ness! So sad…
Aww I loved the little video, snow days should be snow days ☃️
I agree! Thank you, Elaine!
This year needed more snow days that the average year! A day off here and there to play, given what kids have had to handle…it’s almost a right, if you ask me. Sometimes the adults need to calm down and smell the hot chocolate themselves!
I agree!
So with you on this. We seem to have forgotten that childhood is supposed to be fun.
I agree!
Oh! I hadn’t considered this. Snow ❄️ days are important!
I was just talking about this the other day — wondering whether we will ever have snow days again! They always budget for some each year – perhaps they can cut the school year shorter by those days in the future. Longer summer vacation! 🙂
That’s what I thought too! They have the snow days built into the schedule. If they aren’t going to use them anymore then let the kids out earlier! More summer break would be nice 🙂
Several school districts in my area basically said, this year’s been tough enough, we will keep snow days. Even as a teacher I always felt that a snow day was a gift. You’ve got the right idea.
Thank you!
Beautiful blog
Thank you!
Really like it. I am living in a tropical country where we never have snow. It looks so beautiful!
Thank you!