It’s cold outside, and when you have kids it is hard to keep them warm and dry in a cold wet season. The cold leaks into the house, the snow gets tracked through the house and there are handfuls of cold wet socks as far as the eye can see. Here are some helpful tips to keep kids dry and warm and mom happy to keep them that way!
1. Recycled Sweater Mittens
We all have that sweater we don’t wear anymore, or plan on taking to a donation center. Why not create some expendable mittens for the kids at little to no cost to you, using just a needle and thread! Measure out their hands (or use other mittens or a a stencil as a guide), then be sure to cut them out so that the wrist of the mittens come from the stretchiest part of the sweater and the hands come from the warmest. Sew along the edges (except where the hands slide in) and tada! They may not look perfect or be fashionable but if your kids lose them or ruin them it’s not much of a loss. You can get a simple tutorial from Martha Stewart right here.
2. Plastic Bags Water Proofing
This is a hack I will credit to my mother for having made me do as a child. Worried about your kids getting wet socks and feet? Don’t worry there is an unlimited supply of plastic bags in the world, and is really all you need to keep the wetness at bay. Place a plastic bag over your child’s sock on each foot then slip the foot into the boot
Source: Amazon.com
3. Sunscreen In the Winter
I know most of us don’t think about sunscreen for our kids or ourselves in the winter time. The first thoughts involving line of defense usually include hats, gloves and coats. The sun, however cold it is, is still out and spreading rays across your skin. A small amount with a lower SPF will be beneficial to your families skin and will also help with the dryness from the winter. You may not be sunbathing but it is still good to protect your skin.
4. Open Curtains During Day
If you have good natural light that enters your home, open your windows during the day to let in some of the suns natural warmth. The natural light will also create a better mood for everyone in the house as it is extremely healthy for us human beings. And as simple as it may seem, keeping the curtains open during the day and closing them at night is a cost effective way to maintain the temperature in your house.
5. Blankets In the Dryer Before Bed
Don’t we all hate that first five minutes of climbing into bed when the sheets and mattress are freezing?! Well a simple solution to that will make you never want to leave your bed until spring. Take your top sheets and or blankets and put them in the dryer for about 10 minutes, pull them out, throw them on the bed and jump in!