Samm Burnham Davidson

I remember the anticipation that would start the night before an expected storm. My two brothers and I would pepper my parents with questions at the dinner table about expected snowfall and the likelihood of a next-day school cancellation. And when it happened, it was magical. A full day of snow-covered freedom filled with neighborhood friends, warm treats, and movies. Gosh, snow days in the 90s were the best. And they just don’t make ‘em like that anymore, for a variety of reasons.

I was fresh off a very chaotic and argument-filled afternoon with my four kids ranging in age from 10 to 3 when I called my mom to vent. On and on I went complaining, about the kids' constant bickering, needing to be entertained, and how I felt exhausted, frustrated, and confused. As she tried to offer helpful advice, she pointed out something that floored me: my kids barely do playdates. As a kid, I did them constantly, multiple times a week, at our house and with my friends.