By Kathryn Peck
Once the holidays are behind me, I let out a huge sigh of relief. I remember as a child begging my parents to keep the Christmas tree up for just one more week - now it’s quite the opposite. What’s now a dry, brittle relic of festive days before has gotta’ go.
But there are still weeks of winter weather ahead, with the days short, the air cold, and the world outside still quiet. As a mom of 4, I know first-hand how easy it is to lean on screens this time of year, especially since everyone seems to have just gotten one for Christmas. Screens can start to sneak in more often, filling the long afternoons and early sunsets.
As a mom of 4, I know first-hand how easy it is to lean on screens this time of year, especially since everyone seems to have just gotten one for Christmas.
Believe me when I say there’s no judgment here (we’ve all been there), winter is actually the perfect time to reclaim slower, screen-free moments and to break those habits that quickly formed over the holiday break. (Did anyone else's kiddos wake up and ask to watch TV first thing every morning?)
Our children’s days are full and fast-paced — school schedules, activities, noise, transitions. Winter offers a natural pause, and a focus on screen-free activities can help to build focus and patience, encourage imagination, independence, and it can create a space for real connections. We’ve been playing Backgammon at home and, strangely enough, playing basketball with my son’s new indoor hoop that hangs on his closet door. We're all tired parents, and we don’t have to be perfect, but being present matters. And these activities strengthen family connections and routines.
I always like to have a puzzle that I’m working on in our living room. Not everyone wants to jump in and help, however, but I use it as a tool to spark conversation with my kids. I point out things in the puzzle or ask them for specific help in identifying pieces, which they happily do every time. A stack of books by the couch or coloring books, markers and crayons nearby can invite little ones to get creative. Instead of playing video games, my kids (and I do, too) draw their own version of video games, then give others a turn to get through them.
For littler ones, a visual prop or space might be inviting enough. Grab a soft blanket, a basket of toys, some books, and fairy lights, to create that space for quiet.
Winter gives us permission to slow down, cancel a few plans, linger a little longer at the table, and choose a play that feels calm, thoughtful, and meaningful.
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About the author: Kathryn is the owner of Bicycle Pie and mom of 4 little ones. Also a writer, editor, and former owner of one of Boston's premiere baby boutiques, she continues to write about motherhood, children's products, family life, and all other things that test our skills and patience as parents.
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