Whether you’re clearing your walkway, grumbling at road conditions or toiling over a packy, wet fort, momstown is here for you, and we know all the good curse words
By Sonia Verma
(Back)Breaking news: Shovelling sucks
Every year, we scoff at our neighbours scraping down their parking spots and sidewalks the second there's a dusting of snow, figuring we have TONS of time before we need to get out there. Fast-forward one flash freeze and suddenly the outside of our home is the only icy, bumpy death trap in the neighbourhood.
So, even though there is only about an inch of fluff out there, I shovelled today. And it sucked mightily, as did I. And now I kind of ache in spots.
Another snowy rite of passage: The flurry [ha ha, see what I did there?] of news pieces on shovelling safety. Here's an evergreen one, including the truisms "Pace, don't race," and the less catchy "Face, don't twist."
Know thine enemy
If you're staying inside to nurse your growing grudge against snow, Kids CBC has the low-down on the flakes that torment you and delight your kids.
Seriously, just stay inside
momstown writer Tara Wilson concocts 11 genius crafts inspired by — but not as heavy as — snow for ParentDish.
Snow fort safety
Littles tend to be more enthusiastic about winter than the Bigs who have to heave that white stuff around. If your kid is building a snow fort or tunnel they can climb into, a couple of tips from our media partner Today's Parent to keep them safe. Because the flip side of fun, packy snow is that it can be cruel and unpredictable.
Mom was right
It turns out you CAN catch cold from being out in the cold. My mother was right all along. Just another reason to regret my attitudinous teenage defiance.
9 [actually 10] things for your car this winter
Some of these are very obvious: Jumper cables, blankets, etc. But some are downright genius, like a small gardening trowel, which can actually make it easier to shovel out under your tires than a larger shovel. Because shovelling sucks.
But soft, what light through yonder weather breaks
Finally, a poetic meteorologist waxes lyrical about winter's fearsome wallop. A professed Game of Thrones fan, he knows Winter Is Coming. Might as well have fun with it.
Whatever the shovelling equivalent is of hockey's "soft hands," momstown National Editor Sonia Verma does not have it. At all.
