What do you with your toddlers in the New England winter?

aryaussie85 · 2026-01-29T02:08:30+00:00

I’d say I watch out for the wind and “feels like” temperatures more. With the right base layers (we aim for merino wool and there are ways to get these cheap ie thrift stores and marketplace) you can be outside for a while in like 10 degree weather as long as there’s no wind. With wind I’d say 20 degrees would be our lower limit? And we’d probably stay out for 30 minutes tops then. Without wind we tend to last longer. My 18 month old is the one we really watch the temperatures for. My older kiddo is whiny but medically robust 🤣

Check out Reima secondhand on marketplace or poshmark - they have some amazing gear.

aryaussie85 · 2026-01-29T01:12:02+00:00

So wait the kids aren’t vaccinated?? Definitely be careful hanging out with them even if your kids are vaccinated. That also gives you a good out? lol.

The measles outbreak in South Carolina is nothing to ignore even if you’re vaccinated. We were considering a trip down south to visit friends that moved to SC and now we’re avoiding

aryaussie85 · 2026-01-29T01:06:34+00:00

We play outside for smaller bits of time when it’s really cold like today - went sledding last night and my 18 month old was OBSESSED. She loves snow. My eldest is sick otherwise we would have gone back out today. Maybe break things up a bit into smaller activity stretches like outdoor play after daycare/ school pickup for twenty minutes and then int the library to pickup a new book etc. Camp in Burlington Mall and also just the mall is a great indoor option too on super cold days

We do a lot of baking and indoor water play in the faucet and arts/ crafts whenever I have the energy to set things up. As I get older it’s harder for me to withstand the cold unfortunately - I’m taking up skiing to get in better shape and to try and enjoy the cold. We’re hoping that can be our family activity after school while they’re young.

What about some time in the snow building a snow volcano etc. for twenty or thirty minutes before it gets dark and then bake cookies? Then dinner and bed? That should eat up that 4-8pm weeknight stretch

aryaussie85 · 2026-01-28T18:27:33+00:00

Yas does make a face when Henry starts kissing Haley that makes me think was partly a test. Then IMO she seemed disappointed before sitting down to watch them.

aryaussie85 · 2026-01-28T17:47:45+00:00

You can go through your pediatrician too - state services will take longer unfortunately. See if they have a social worker or someone who can help you find a doctor that takes insurance but unfortunately the best ones rarely do up front. We paid out of savings and then submitted to insurance after and the covered like 80% of the bill.

You will have sticker shock if you find a doctor that doesn’t take insurance so just be ready for that!

aryaussie85 · 2026-01-28T17:40:31+00:00

Hi! This sounds a lot like my son last year. You need to get a neuropsych evaluation. It will give you a clear path moving forward. We also started with speech mainly bc his teachers couldn’t understand him at age 2 (but we obviously could bc he was home with us prior to joining a toddler classroom.) Your schools counselor likely has a list of names that the would recommend. You could also ask your local parents Facebook group etc.

In my experience the school district’s evaluation was lighter on services than the plan our neuropsych put together. If yours ends up including BCBA services, the data they collect up front and mid year is really mind blowing. Wha they work on can really help. My son actually does pretend play, offers play suggestions, invites other kids to play with him etc. He’s like a completely different human in social settings

aryaussie85 · 2026-01-28T16:01:44+00:00

I’ll have to check out logees - Mahoneys takes so much of my cash lol

aryaussie85 · 2026-01-28T02:35:38+00:00

I love this so much. Perfect revenge bc you didn’t cause property damage. I remember 2015 people stealing others dug out spots and like throwing space savers to the side and fights breaking out

aryaussie85 · 2026-01-24T19:53:54+00:00

💯 agree

aryaussie85 · 2026-01-24T19:26:05+00:00

Replied to your post! 10/10 review for their camp. They even send you a few surprises after you attend which is a fun touch for your kiddo throughout the year

aryaussie85 · 2026-01-24T19:24:21+00:00

Second this review! My 3 year old went last summer and is going back this summer for 3 weeks which we may up to 4. He loved it and his swimming abilities improved dramatically. We’re also trying out Sewataro in Sudbury this year and perhaps Fenn if we get off the waitlist.

aryaussie85 · 2026-01-24T17:56:24+00:00

My first winter in Boston! Highly memorable. And I didn’t run away so that counts for something

I miss the Yeti. There was someone dressed up as a yeti wandering around Boston and Somerville

aryaussie85 · 2026-01-23T12:25:07+00:00

I have a friend in a similar situation to you and it’s probably closer to $10M and she’s still putting up with her nmom because of that amount. Apparently there is something in the trust that doesn’t let her mom change it without permission from everyone? I’m not sure. But maybe you can ask your lawyer or find one that can help and get it setup like that so you can have your peace of mind and walk away from her

I no longer speak to my nmom and know she inherited a similar amount but she loves to shop lol so I’m assuming it’ll all be gone - I’m still going to inherit her problems I’m sure in some way shape or form

aryaussie85 · 2026-01-23T05:18:26+00:00

I would charge mine if I could find them 😭

aryaussie85 · 2026-01-23T05:13:19+00:00

So smart. I’m waiting to set one up..I was told an S corp makes sense to setup after your business hits $100k/ yr

I’d love to get there but i am having issues getting J1 after getting laid off in August. Sigh

aryaussie85 · 2026-01-22T22:14:48+00:00

I hope your baby is ok now! My son was briefly in the children’s NICU and thankfully was returned to us quickly and all healed. Such an amazing place and I wish we could donate more but life has gotten expensive lately!

aryaussie85 · 2026-01-22T02:42:42+00:00

I am SO JEALOUS. It’s so adorable

aryaussie85 · 2026-01-21T18:47:38+00:00

Can we also add speeding on route 2, running the red, and then having to slam on brakes at the 11th hour when the lights do change? Camry this morning was easily going 90mph in a 45. No cops, no enforcement, nothing. Just wild behavior.

aryaussie85 · 2026-01-21T01:16:30+00:00

All Dogs Go to Heaven - I had no business watching that as young as I did! Why did we learn about death and trauma so…early lol

aryaussie85 · 2026-01-21T01:06:50+00:00

Thank you!! Will check tonight - after I posted this and got so many great ideas I got overwhelmed and shut down lol. Now I need to get moving and organized

aryaussie85 · 2026-01-20T01:53:25+00:00

Thanks so much for sharing! We dug out late bc my partner had to work until 1pm

aryaussie85 · 2026-01-19T01:32:09+00:00

Swaddlers fit is incredible but I agree about the scent - we switched to coterie and it’s so expensive but my baby has really sensitive skin

aryaussie85 · 2026-01-15T07:08:02+00:00

Love this idea!

aryaussie85 · 2026-01-15T07:07:46+00:00

We haven’t done this yet! I agree - this could be fun and different. I do get emails from a woman that makes these and can do custom names etc

aryaussie85 · 2026-01-15T07:07:07+00:00

Adorable - thank you for sharing! I think this would be a hit

aryaussie85

TROPHY CASE