Gathered around the TV, we waited with eager anticipation. No one dared breathe a word in case we would miss the announcement. The whole house stood still, until at last the TV spoke, fulfilling every school-aged child’s dream, and every parent’s nightmare… SNOW DAY!

I remember vividly, this scene unfolding as I grew up; and growing up in Michigan, it was a common occurrence. Once a snow day was declared, we could stay up just a little later, knowing there was no school the next day. We’d lounge around in our PJ’s until we drove our parents crazy. Then it was time to go outside.

We’d pack on our snowsuits, snowboots, hats, gloves and scarves. We’d build snowmen, forts and snowballs galore. We’d sled down the streets and catch snowflakes on our tongues. We’d make snow angels and snow cones, being careful to avoid the yellow snow. And we stayed outside for hours, until called in to thaw out and eat.

Living in Georgia, there is no less anticipation, just less frequency of such snow days. My children start checking the weather app as soon as there is a murmur of expected snow. And, when a snow day comes, it’s a big deal.

The truth is, snow in Georgia is rare and special. But it can also be a nightmare.CLICK TO TWEETSo how do southerners survive during a snow day? Here are a few of my snow hacks, advice and observations. I’ve learned Georgians are extremely resourceful! I promise I can’t make this stuff up!

1. Plastic Bags: There’s no need to go out and buy expensive snow boots that may get used once a year before your child outgrows them. Just put a couple of plastic Kroger bags over your children’s shoes and they’ll be good to go.

2. Sledding: Sleds and toboggans, who needs those? They are a hot commodity and difficult to find in Georgia when it snows. So rather than scour the stores, head to your kitchen. We’ve found metal cookie sheets and pizza boxes work just as well! Or try out a pool raft!

3. Work Gloves: If your kids are like mine, they don’t own gloves or mittens. Heck, they may not own long pants! So when snow falls, we head to the garage and hunt for either work or gardening gloves. Works like a charm.

4. Grocery Store Run: Be sure to run to the store to stock up on bread, milk and eggs. Apparently everyone makes French toast in a snow storm. Haven’t been yet? You’re screwed.

5. Social Media: Post pictures and video of the gigantic blizzard in your backyard so all your northern friends believe you.

6. Driving: If you’ve never driven in snow or ice, I-75 is not the place to experiment. Just don’t do it. Please.

7. Work Place: And if you dared to brave the roads in this kind of weather and are now stuck at work, we’ll see you sometime next week…

8. Shovel Dilemma: No shovel to clean your driveway? No problem. Head back out to that garage and grab a rake.

9. Carry Plastic: Don’t own an ice scraper? (and why would you living in Georgia?) Any plastic from your wallet will do: credit card, Costco card, insurance card, driver’s license

10. WiFi: Make sure your WiFi connection is working, because once the newness of the fallen snow passes, kids hop back on every device they own and disappear the rest of the day.

The truth is, snow in Georgia is rare and special. But it can also be a nightmare. So enjoy the snow day however you can. And when all else fails, hunker down with a bottle, I mean a glass, of wine, and know tomorrow, it will be 60 degrees once again.