Being a Midwestern kid, I've always loved when the summer heat transforms into cooler fall temperatures, hinting at the first snowfall of the year and ushering in holiday gatherings with loved ones. In other words winter, and all things associated, brings me joy. Ahh, yes. The simple things in life. Now, all these things I used to look forward to may never be again because, you know, motherhood. I'd be lying if I said there aren't winter activities I may literally never enjoy again now that I have kids. Sometimes this whole, "you have to sacrifice certain things because you're a parent," thing gets out of hand.
Before I had children, my partner and I did whatever we wanted. Oh, the freedom we straight-up took for granted. Of course, I love being a mother and I love my two children, but having kids changes the way you do literally everything. Whether it's sledding or planning what to buy for Christmas, life is just different. Even the transition of spending the winter months as part of a couple, to spending those winter months as a family, alters the dynamics of the house you call home. However temporary, it is what it is and while there are plenty of activities I enjoy doing with my kids, there's also a few I really don't enjoy participating in at all. Then, of course, there are the things I enjoyed long before my children were a twinkle in my eye, that are no longer feasible.
Life changing after you have children is no secret, but the small (and large) ways it actually changes can be somewhat shocking. So if you're starting to realize or have already noticed that the following winter activities are ones you can no longer enjoy thanks to your littles ones, take solace in the fact that you're not alone. Winter can be a pain for all of us who made the decision to procreate. #Solidarity