As the days get cooler and we start heading into another winter season, I find myself thinking about what there is to do when the temperatures drop and the snow starts to fly.
For the last how many years, I’ve had no trouble finding something to keep me busy during the winter months. I’ve been chasing my kids around to hockey rinks, spending countless hours in the stands, and making plenty of memories along the way. If you’ve been a hockey parent, you know the routine! There are early mornings, long drives, rink burgers, and plenty of exciting moments watching your kids do what they love.
I’m still lucky enough to have one son playing hockey, so our winter schedule is still pretty busy. And I wouldn’t trade those hours at the rink for anything. There’s something special about watching your own kid out there, especially when he’s your favourite goalie!
But every now and then, I start thinking about what happens when that day comes and he decides to hang up the skates for good.
What will I do with all that extra time? I won’t need to drive him to the rink, plan weekends around hockey games, or spend hours watching from the stands. As much as I might look forward to having a little more free time, it’s also a strange thought after so many years of living that hockey schedule.
Maybe it’s time to find some new hobbies, or perhaps revisit a few things I enjoyed years ago, before kids and hockey took over so much of my time. Snowmobiling comes to mind. I used to enjoy that, and it might be fun to get back into it. Who knows? Maybe I’ll discover something completely new to keep me busy during those long winter months.
I’m sure I’ll figure something out when the time comes, but I have to admit, it’s a little scary to think about. When you’ve spent so many years building your schedule around your kids’ activities, it’s hard to imagine what life will look like when that chapter closes.
I guess that’s all part of being a parent. You spend years looking forward to the next milestone, and then suddenly you realize those busy days you sometimes wished would slow down are the very days you’ll miss the most.
So, for now, I’m not going to worry too much about what comes next. I’ll keep enjoying every minute I get to spend watching my favourite goalie and cheering on his team. There will be plenty of time to figure out my next adventure when the hockey days eventually come to an end.
I’m curious, what do you do to keep busy during the winter months? Have you picked up a new hobby, returned to an old one, or found yourself missing the days when your kids were busy with sports? I’d love to hear what keeps you going when the weather turns cold and the days get shorter!
For now, I’ll see you at the rink!
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