We Are Suburban Wimps!

I grew up in Queens. I can remember only two snow days in my entire elementary school career. The first was when I was about 7 years old.  We knew it snowed a lot overnight, but I woke up and got ready for school like any other day — in a plaid skirt and knee socks. My dad opened the wood door only to find the 2 1/2 feet of snow made it impossible to open the storm door. Not to be deterred from ensuring we got a complete education, he simply opened the window and dropped my sisters and me out one by one. We trudged to school in all that snow, and of course, the doors were locked. To this day, I suspect my parents just needed some quiet time.

The second snow day was also called in response to several feet of snow. I believe the school also lost power. My dad made us read all morning before we were allowed to go outside and play.

Today is our fourth snow day. I watch the news. I know about global warming and polar vortexes. I can see the ice and sleet, but really? The kids in NYC aren’t off. And, you know what, they’re better off for it. A day off, even delayed openings, throws everyone off kilter. I have so much sympathy for families in which both parents work outside the home. How do you plan for these emergency closings? I also have so much sympathy for me. My day started with four year olds jumping on my singing “Do You Want to Build a Snowman” from Frozen. I considered opening a bottle of wine for breakfast. You know you’ve had too many snow days when your kids moan about having to stay home again. Maybe we all need to toughen up, put on our big boy snow pants and get these kids to school.