What can I do to keep myself sane this winter? (Milwaukee: waterparks, houses)

[#Littledog]

I am a happy, well-adjusted woman and I don't sweat the small stuff. But I seriously almost lost it last winter. It was so cold, bleak, oppressive, snowy. My kids were only 2 and 4 years so it was hard to really "embrace" winter. We tried making snowmen, snow angels, snow forts but there were a lot of days where it was too darn cold or the snow was too icy to do anything fun. I got so bored being cooped up inside all the time-I felt badly for our kids. I felt like all our free time was spent shoveling (we don't own a snow blower). Looking back (I've lived in Milwaukee for 17 years), when I was single, I think I used to go out to bars a lot in the winter but that's not an option now that I'm a mom. No I wasn't an alcoholic but I'm not surprised that there's bar on every corner in Milwaukee. It does take the edge off a bit in the winter-time.

Maybe I'm missing something? How do all of you get through winter around here? I think this year we might bite the bullet and buy a snow blower-maybe that will help. I'm not a Packer's fan.

[Eshea]

You don't say in your post if you are single, married, have sitters, so here are suggestions for both/either.

-Ice skate at The Pettit
-Join a club and exercise
-Go to a matinee
-Get a massage- I have lived here 39 years and the last 4 winters I have sched 4-5 massages a winter season. Try one of the schools, MATC Beauty School or Aveda if you are looking for cheap, but still soothing...
-Visit the Domes (it's warm).
-Go bowling- there is bumper bowl for the little ones.
-Join a play group in your area
-Have a chili party with your friends
-Go to the Museum- I also like the zoo in the winter. It is only cold between the animal houses!
-Betty Brinn Children's Museum
- Walk Candy Cane Lane
-Spend the day roaming American Science and Surplus- your kids might be too young for this one...
-Go to the library
- We always sign up for a class or 2 at The Milwaukee Rec Dept. If you live in MIlwaukee, you should get the catalog. Most communities have some kind of Rec Program.
-Take the kids to Organ Piper Pizza

Good luck- I hope this winter is better for you!!

[#Littledog]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm married with 2 kids. We do a lot of those things you suggested although I didn't do any of the things you mentioned for myself like getting a massage or exercising. I was always so focused on getting the kids some entertainment so we did do Betty Brinn, Discovery World, the Domes, Public Museum, the zoo (on milder days). I like those things, too, but I was even getting bored with those activities. I told my hubby we have to get out more as a couple, too. We have some babysitter options but we're on a tight budget. Babysitters cost a lot now a days-even the highschoolers! I think the lack of being outside and sunlight is what really gets me down. I'm such an outdoors person. Someone told me about a herb called "holy basil" that helps the mood during the dark, winter months. Has anyone heard of that? I was also thinking about fake tanning (I can get it for free at our health club) but I don't want to get all wrinkly and leathery. Keep the suggestions coming! I'm really going to try to have a better attitude this winter!

[Eshea]

Hmmmmmm- is your 4 year old in a play group? Could you trade some time with another mother?

Lack of sun can be so depressing. I don't think the fake tanning is a bad idea. Lotion up.. and if you don't go everyday you shouldn't turn to leather!

My husband gets to feeling crappy in the winter too- I had him join a bowling league this year for exercise and guy time. Is there anything you and your girlfriends like to do? I am a mom too and I still the hit the bars with my girlfriends for a ladies night. We really like to go to karoke. About once a month. Does taht sound in your budget?

Outside stuff- do you cross country ski? I have no idea if that is pricey or not, but you might be able to get a decent pair of skis on Craigs list or a second hand sports store...

What about a Wii? I love the Wii fit and Zelda. I wish I had more ideas.
There are a couple Mom boards that might help. BrewCityMamas.com and Milwaukeemoms.com. The ladies on these sites are from all over Milwaukee and the surrounding suburbs and might have more ideas...

[quijote]

In the winter I always have a lot of work to do, so that helps keep me busy, but I also cook a lot. Perhaps you can get the kids involved more in helping prepare meals and special winter-weather treats.

Where I live, I often see birds, deer, and other wildlife year round, so perhaps you can do activities along those lines--put out bird feeders, corn cobs for squirrels, and just enjoy watching the wildlife. If doing this at home isn't a good option, look into programs run by community parks as well as places such as Havenwoods, the Urban Ecology Center, and the Schlitz Audubon Center. These places also have other kinds of programs for kids.

It's true that bars are popular in the winter, but so are cafes. There's nothing like slogging through a cold day and lots of snow, then entering a warm cafe where ground coffee wafts through the air. Some cafes have play areas for the kids, and games/cards for people of all ages. (Or you can always bring your own games/activities.) Another thing I like doing during the dead of winter is hitting the bookstores--very warm and inviting places, especially when there's a cafe inside, such as with Borders or B&N. There are chairs and sofas to sit in while reading, and many places (such as those mentioned) have an area for kids. These places regularly have activities and readings for kids (and adults, too). Check your local libraries and community centers, too.

Look around for arts and crafts activities at stores and organizations. The YMCA/YWCA has seminars for all ages, and many communities offer workshops and courses for kids and entire families. I'm sure the city of Milwaukee has programs like this, and if you live in another community, that place also probably has something like that, or a partnership with a community that does. The JCC and other cultural/religious orgs also have tons of stuff in the arts/crafts area.

Many of these places also have sports/athletics programs that could help shake off the winter blues. And don't forget that the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music has various workshops and courses for kids and adults. UWM Continuing Ed also has some things, though more so for adults. The museums and galleries in town tend to have arts and culture programs, too.

[#Littledog]

Great suggestions!!! Thank you for all your input! My son is in full day K5 this year so that should help. We did do a lot of play groups last year when possible (he was also in preschool) but play groups with friends get cancelled a lot in the winter because it seems like someone's child is sick. Last winter my son was literally bouncing off the walls if he did not get the exercise he needed. We sometimes went to open gyms but the schedule often conflicted with naps or his preschool. I'll be sure to sign the kids up for swim lessons this winter. That will burn off some energy, too! Yeah, a little fake tanning will probably be ok. I haven't gone in so long my skin can hopefully take the heat!

[Fishtacos]

Take a warm weather vacation in winter. You will look forward to the build up, and have the memory of it a little while upon completion to help as well. Low budget if you cannot afford one, and long weekend if you do not have a lot of time.(if you can do more, then great). I can understand summer vacations for wisconsinites when the kids are in school, and have summers off, but Chrsitmas breaks, and if you don't have kids, or are an empty nester, or have very little ones, any time during winter works.

[adam76]

We have kids that last winter were 1 and 4. There are stretches where everyone goes a little stir crazy but they absolutely loved all the snow we got last year. We were outside as much as we could and put quite a bit of miles on the sleds. One thing that really helped our sanity, especially for me and my wife, was swimming at the YMCA. Something about putting a suit on and taking a dip really helped with the state of mind. Also regarding your original post's comment about shoveling vs snow blower... whenever possible we tried to make shoveling a family affair. We got small shovels for the little ones and they really enjoyed getting out and shoveling. We'd all get some exercise and then come in for hot chocolate and popcorn.

I think it's really tough to keep the kids entertained at this age. They are old enough where they start bouncing off the walls and yet too young for a number of things and many of the things you can do cost money. For us, the tough part of the winter is not the cold snowy Dec-Jan stretch, it's more late Feb / March when it gets sloppy and ugly outside. It's usually March when we start doing things that cost money like museums and such.

[Steve-o]

Im sure there are some nice indoor waterparks in the Dells somewhere, thats always fun.

[ministers]

Originally Posted by Eshea

You don't say in your post if you are single, married, have sitters, so here are suggestions for both/either.

-Ice skate at The Pettit
-Join a club and exercise
-Go to a matinee
-Get a massage- I have lived here 39 years and the last 4 winters I have sched 4-5 massages a winter season. Try one of the schools, MATC Beauty School or Aveda if you are looking for cheap, but still soothing...
-Visit the Domes (it's warm).
-Go bowling- there is bumper bowl for the little ones.
-Join a play group in your area
-Have a chili party with your friends
-Go to the Museum- I also like the zoo in the winter. It is only cold between the animal houses!


These are some really cool suggestions, I'll have to give them a try this winter. Thanks for the tips. I am also married with two kids 6 and 9, and sometimes winter can be very long and boring, especially when there is tons of snow. What a drag!!!
-Betty Brinn Children's Museum
- Walk Candy Cane Lane
-Spend the day roaming American Science and Surplus- your kids might be too young for this one...
-Go to the library
- We always sign up for a class or 2 at The Milwaukee Rec Dept. If you live in MIlwaukee, you should get the catalog. Most communities have some kind of Rec Program.
-Take the kids to Organ Piper Pizza

Good luck- I hope this winter is better for you!!

These are some really great tips. I'll have to try them this winter. Winter can really be long and boring, especially when there is alot of snow. I am married with a 6 and 9 year old as well, and they really can get cranky being in the house too much.