Are you surviving “Snowpocalyse II”? I hope so, and just in case you are having a difficult time here are some ideas.

I think these times of being shut in at home gives us opportunities to reconnect with family in ways that the normal week doesn’t present. Here we are, isolated for an extended period of time from the rest of the world except spouse and kids – family. We can choose to wait and get cabin fever or we can use this time to build memories. This is a divinely appointed time to reconnect. But how do we do that? Here are a few suggestions…

Get outside and play! Build a snowman, slide down the hill in the backyard on cookie sheets, design a show castle, play hide-n-seek, make snow angels, or have a snowball fight. If you can imagine it, I believe you can pull it off.

Make some homemade hot chocolate and cookies! Get everyone involved so they feel like they are a part of the team. Everybody should have a job. You may not want to do this close to bedtime because sugar highs don’t make for sleepy children.

Pull out the games and see who comes out the champion! Competition is good and I believe the best place for kids to learn how to win and lose is in the context of the home. Let each of the kids choose a game, set a time limit so you can play all the games, and let it fly. You can even dream up prizes or rewards for the winners.

Produce a home movie. For this one you’ll need to write out a short script, plan for good lighting, get everyone to play a part, shoot the movie, do a little editing (you can find free software on the internet), pop some popcorn, turn out the lights, and have a fun family movie night. Put it on YouTube…who knows, maybe you’ll become famous.

Build a blanket fortress. Blanket forts are a blast. I don’t think you can ever outgrow the fun and adventure of building a fort made out of blankets. Divide into two teams and see who can make the best fort. Invite the other team over for pop tarts and gummy worms. Get out the nerf weapons and attempt a siege of one another’s territory.

Doing things as a family will build wonderful memories into the fabric of your family that you will never forget. These memories are essential to family unity. Kids (and spouses) need to see a side of us that is not so serious, and playing with them kicks open the door for all to see that side of us. We don’t need an official family vacation to let our hair down, kick back, relax, and have some fun.

Grace & Peace,