Winter Break.
As of tomorrow, my daughter’s school is out. Until after the New Year. Officially, that means two weeks off. Shortly after Thanksgiving, we decided that traveling wasn’t in anyone’s best interests. So, it’s a full two weeks at home. Am I a bit trepidatious – a little. Generally speaking, this is a time when we’d venture somewhere (we did last year – just taking extra precautions). This year, the risks (Delta/Omicron variant(s) and travel costs) were just a bit too much to absorb. Did anyone else think airline tickets were just a little beyond ridiculous, too? Hotels, for that matter? WTF.
As we normally travel, adventures are a bit pre-planned (even if they’re impromptu). Simply being out of town at a new restaurant is super exciting for kids. So, I reached out to fellow stoner parent-friends to get a feel for what the non-travel crowd intends to do. Some of the ideas are pretty classic – obviously, it all depends on where you live.
- Snowshoeing – if you have never tried this, do! Clearly, you need to have some snow (sorry, warmer states). But, I can tell you from personal experience that it’s super fun when stoned (just don’t take on any dangerous terrain if you’re a beginner). The plus side: it’s a legit workout. The handful of times my daughter did it with me, she was wiped out. For the record, she’s quite athletic. So, that was a pleasant surprise. This one is a win/win.
- Outdoor ice skating – interestingly, even warmer states offer this! One stoner friend of mine hails from Michigan – pond skating is a really big deal near him. Since the temps have fallen enough, it’s been fairly safe in their neck of the woods (no thin ice, please). See my remark about snowshoeing and tiring kiddos out – skating results in the same.
- Hiking – warm, or cold! ‘Nuff said. Every hiking adventure with my daughter has been well worth it. We always find something new/interesting to see.
- Skiing or snowboarding – if you live near an OG mountain, you’re blessed. Truly. I am an avid snowboarder (former skier). My daughter has been working on both (gotta love being 6). Only issue with OG mountain is if it’s a resort – you know the drill for holidays. Hint: I go during the week, and avoid weekends. Especially if a holiday happens to fall on a Saturday (so not going there).
- Sledding or tubing – shout out if you happen to be near Park City, UT! They have a killer tubing park just outside of town!
- Light shows – while I do love going to the bigger shows, sometimes a walk through your downtown area is just as fun for kids. Ours is straight out of a magazine (it has been featured in a few). Honestly, my kiddo loves both – she digs the lights. So does stoner mom.
- Stoner friend bake off – little by little, this list is going to get weirder (FYI). Just envision a bunch of stoner parents texting each other – after the kids have gone to bed and the bongs/rigs/vape pens have come out. So, I am an avid baker – since 13 (swear on my life). It took me forever to learn to poach an egg, but I was decorating some mad birthday cakes in high school. Anyhoo – I have friends (men and women) who are always into the idea of who’s the next “chef”. Some super weird gingerbread cookies have been made (in years past). Since the kiddos eat them, we’re not adding fun ingredients. Frankly, it’s about the funny artwork done by stoned adults (and entertained kids).
- Stoner parent-friend group cook off – dammit. So not my forte. I can cook – but, my friends can really cook. As in one attended culinary school (literally). Then, law school. Amazing cook and attorney. This challenge has given me some amazing recipes in the past. Actually, it’s how I learned to grill salmon – the right way.
- Stoner parent-friend “take-a-day” – each parent(s) pick a day to take the others’ kids for a few hours (at most – 4 hours). This is more of an activity for your “bubble” group (I wouldn’t want 25 kids at my house, personally). Our group is about 8 kiddos deep (we’ve all known each other for years, too). Do you ever realize you have that off errand to run two days before a major holiday (and that it would be way easier without your kids in tow)? Yep – me too. This is why this event was conceived. It also gives your kids something to look forward to – seeing their friends (remember when break felt like a month to you).
- Stoner parent-friend gift exchange – this is stoner code for share your newest bud finds with the group. We’ve even made jars with labels for these.
- Stoner parent-friend Rummikub, Twister, and Monopoly – any board game, for that matter. This is where we teach kids to kick it, OG. Plus, it’s funny AF watching someone try to play Scrabble after some edibles. Spatuta is a word, right.
A list that could go on all night, folks. The bottom line is that a staycation won’t kill you (I know, I know – I do have little travel fever, too). We’ll live. Frankly, your kids just want to be with you. With a little creative thought, this works – trust me. If you truly think about it, traveling is it’s own chore. I can definitely appreciate not having to be at a major airport this upcoming weekend (or, next).
The responsible mom in me needs to mention that the above listed activities could be done high (and have been) – just be responsible about it (please).
Countdown to break begins….
~SM