Winter in the UK hits different when you have a family. Before I became a dad, winter meant hot chocolate, long coats, and Christmas lights. Simple life. Now it means layers on layers, chasing a toddler who refuses to wear a jacket, and checking the heating bill every week.
The cold arrives fast. One day okay pa ang weather, then suddenly you wake up and the windows look frozen. The first shock is the temperature. The second shock is the gas bill. You try to balance comfort and cost. You want the house warm for your kid, but you also don’t want to cry when the monthly statement arrives.
Days get shorter. You go to work when it’s dark. You come home and it’s still dark. That hits your mood. It hits your energy. For parents, that means less time to play outside and more time indoors trying to keep your toddler entertained. Toys everywhere. Snacks everywhere. You repeat the same routine and try to stay patient.
Winter also teaches you to prepare. Extra jackets in the car. Gloves in every bag. Waterproof shoes for the little one. A stash of tissues for runny noses. You learn fast because the cold does not wait. When your kid gets sick, everything stops. Work. Plans. Sleep. You sit beside them and hope the fever drops. Winter makes you a more alert parent.
But winter has good moments too. Christmas markets. Warm meals at home. Family photos with matching outfits. Your child seeing snow for the first time and shouting, “Daddy, white!” You forget the cold for a moment. You just enjoy the memory.
Life in the UK during winter is tiring, expensive, and heavy. But it is also cozy, quiet, and full of small moments you only notice when you slow down. As a dad, you learn to adapt. You learn to plan. You learn to appreciate simple things. A warm house. A healthy kid. A calm night after a long day.
Winter reminds you that family makes cold days feel lighter.
– Until then. Love you, Bye! And that’s #DadBuhay.
DadBuhay 
Leave a comment