“Outside?”

“No.”

“Maybe next month.”

“Once it’s about 40 degrees warmer.”

“Not until you’re 21.” 

I need a standard answer to one of my 2-year-old son’s new favorite questions, and any of these will do. He hasn’t forgotten that we’re in here, and the fresh air is out there. He’s going to keep asking and asking.

Thank God it’s the end of February and all of this nasty weather is about to come to an end–theoretically anyway. I’m trying to forget that I needed a snow shovel in April last year. I’m trying to be grateful we don’t live in New England and we aren’t buried in seven feet of snow with more on the way. I’m trying to find some silver lining but there is no rhyme or reason for tolerating Chicago winters.

In the matter of four or five weeks all of this inside time should be one slightly painful but distant memory, and I for one am glad. I mean REALLY REALLY glad.

Meanwhile Jamie is upstairs in the living room running from one wall to the other and colliding into it. Sure, he might be doing this no matter the weather situation (he is 2), but not being able to take him outside isn’t making this any easier. The fact that all these footsteps sound like the ceiling is caving in as I sit and write from my office in the basement may contribute to my cabin fever as well.

Just to be clear for those living in warmer climates: I’m not refusing to go outside with my son because it’s winter. I’m refusing because earlier this week we had -30 degree wind chills. We are talking weather that is unsafe for human existence.

We also went through a streak of days in January like this, and the boy catches cabin fever. I for one, can’t wait to take Jamie on a big old extended walk, without freezing our butts off. Hopefully sometime in July.

Try telling a 2-year-old that outside it is unsafe for humans. He’ll look at you and say “Please? Please?”

Every time we put his coat on, Jamie gets really excited. On much more temperate days he’s been out, and even built a snowman. I’m pretty sure he just loves the outdoors, which on a whole is awesome—just not at the moment.

Meanwhile it’s footsteps and collisions.