It’s cold. It’s raining-snowing-sleeting all in the same day and you are ready to walk barefoot on ice to smell salt water heated by pure sunshine. Smelling old coconut sunscreen does not help, nor does thinking warm fuzzy thoughts of summer. It’s the winter Yukkies. They have taken over.
If you think the Yukkies only invade the homeschool environment, then I must inform you that they are universal and unyielding in their attacks. I’ve seen them during my many years of teaching-each year they reach maximum population in March, then start hibernation in April. Of course, Spring Break tends to make them snooze as we escape our humble abodes to greet the world again.
This past week I greeted more Yukkies in my home than I wanted. It was time for a good house cleaning. It was time to send out the eviction notices. After years of dealing with their nefarious ways, I knew their weakness. The problem was that I allowed their quantity to overwhelm me.
The Yukkies assigned to me (they have different modes of attack) feed on boredom. They relish in routine, damp air and oversized laundry bins of winter accessories.
On Monday, I waged war. It usually takes me until March to realize their attacks, so I was early this year!
Attack-Routine
The Yukkies were completely taken off guard when we spent most of our homeschool day involved in science experiments. We exploded marshmallows, burned gummy bears, melted ice on the stove, played with icky stuff and laughed. Other subjects found their way into our day, but you never knew when they would appear. The Yukkies never saw what hit them!
Attack-Breakfast
The Yukkies know I love my Cinnamon Raisin English Muffin with coffee each morning for breakfast. It is as predictable as their arrival each year. You should have seen their look of total surprise when I made homemade French Toast. They were immobilized for at least two hours. It worked so well, I added strawberries and I think I saw a few faint.
Attack-Pursue a Passion
The Yukkies hate it when you are happy. It drives them bonkers! Their noses twitch, their eyes bulge out and they go into instant hibernation. I’d let my love of science be pushed aside to history, literature and compulsive lesson planning. It was time to break free and go crazy-thus the attack on our routine. Find your passion and pursue it, be it knitting-reading-writing-sky diving. You don’t have to spend hours in the endeavor, just carve out a few minutes here and there. The Yukkies will see it and flee!
Attack-Prayer
I’d be amiss if I didn’t add this critical component. Remember that you are not in the battle against them alone. It is in the quiet moments of communication that you will learn the real weakness of your Yukkies. Act. Trust. Sunshine is merely a season away.
Finally
Please, let me add in my paranoia of accidentally offending anyone regarding the Yukkies concept since I tend to be overly sensitive. (The Yukkies love that about me.) The ones I refer to are fleeting and linger only briefly due to cabin fever, cold weather and routine exhaustion. They are not the ones that remain year round or are seasonal. Those are not a topic of humor. Never.
So, as you see the sunlight linger longer and inhale fresher air-how are you keeping your Yukkies away?