Just do the bare minimum. It’ll be fine for a day.

Back in olden times, you just had to take leave if you couldn’t work.

My kids are 12, 9, and 7 now so it's not really an issue. They are in and out playing with neighbors outside, while we are teleworking. One day you will get there too!

BUT - when my kids were younger - one of us would work say 9-12, then we would both work 12-2 (during nap), then the other would work 2-5. Then I guess we would both work after the kids went to bed. Not sure if something like that works - sounds like your husband's job is not as flexible.

My company doesn’t follow the government on closures, and even pre-covid we were expected to either telework or take leave if unable to work. My kids are now older and self sufficient, but when they were younger it was pretty much everything PPs already mentioned - work early in the morning/during naps/after they’re in bed, switch off with spouse, lots of TV/Netflix etc. I’ve taken leave as well. There isn’t really a magical solution, unfortunately.

You work from 7-7 and just do the very basics.

We would hire a local junior high or high school student who was also on a snow day. If you find them in 7th or 8th grade, they last a few years.

Anonymous wrote:I’m from the south, is it cold enough that they could injure themselves staying outside too long? My 5 yr plays through wet icy gloves if I let them.

I make mine come in about once an hour to warm up, but it is likely more for my comfort than hers. But…yes, if hands are wet, eventually that could cause a problem with the cold. We found a pair of snow proof, fleece-lined mittens for our 5yo at LL Bean. Highly recommend something similar.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You don’t have a 5 and 6 year old roam outside. What is wrong with you?

Seriously, what's wrong with you PP? I assume they are in front of the house. I certainly let my 5 year old outside in our yard alone. During a snow day, there aren't even any cars in the court to worry about. I work at the table at my front window and watch my 6 and 8 year old play so I can work and they can play.

Op said “roam the neighborhood” which is pretty bold for a 6 yr old — in fact in MD that would get a visit by CPS

Op here - by roam the neighborhood I mean they are somewhere on our block within 3-4 houses away.

If DH and I are both teleworking, then we take turns. If we can’t both telework, then I take leave. I also log on very early in the morning and after the kids are in bed. Also, lots of PBS Kids and Disney+.
I have a toddler and a Kindergartner, so no roaming the neighborhood here.

I’m from the south, is it cold enough that they could injure themselves staying outside too long? My 5 yr plays through wet icy gloves if I let them.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You don’t have a 5 and 6 year old roam outside. What is wrong with you?

Seriously, what's wrong with you PP? I assume they are in front of the house. I certainly let my 5 year old outside in our yard alone. During a snow day, there aren't even any cars in the court to worry about. I work at the table at my front window and watch my 6 and 8 year old play so I can work and they can play.

Op said “roam the neighborhood” which is pretty bold for a 6 yr old — in fact in MD that would get a visit by CPS

I have an only, so I invite over the other same aged only in the neighborhood and they entertain each other for 6 hours, longer if I put on a movie. I make lunch, help them bundle up, and throw the wet stuff in the dryer occasionally, but otherwise they take care of themselves. No bickering, just playtime for hours.

Anonymous wrote:You don’t have a 5 and 6 year old roam outside. What is wrong with you?

Seriously, what's wrong with you PP? I assume they are in front of the house. I certainly let my 5 year old outside in our yard alone. During a snow day, there aren't even any cars in the court to worry about. I work at the table at my front window and watch my 6 and 8 year old play so I can work and they can play.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How did you manage from March 2020 to September 2021?

Good question. What did you do, OP? I worked before the kids woke up, during their nap, and then after they went to sleep. We're on maxiflex so we can put in our hours at any time of day.

My agency let us log 2 hours of leave a day if we could document our childcare was closed. That definitely helped me out until daycare reopened. Even so, I worked until midnight regularly.

Our nanny comes over before the storm hits and sleeps over.