When a Winter Storm Disrupts the Clock: Kronos Time, Kairos Time, and Why Moms Need Both
Feet by the fire with a nice cup of tea
There’s something about a winter storm that immediately changes the energy of a house.
Plans get canceled, the calendar suddenly seems wide open, and even the pets sense that something is different.
Everyone’s lounging around the house, layered in sweatshirts, moving a little slower (and maybe even sitting at the window anticipating snow).
And as much as part of me wants to be on the move and try to fight it, another part of me knows the truth:
This kind of weather messes with the minutes on the clock in the best possible way.
When Kronos Time Falls Apart
Most days as moms, we live firmly in Kronos time. The time of clocks, schedules, alarms, appointments, and to-do lists. Kronos time is very linear. You must be on time for school drop off’s, work deadlines, practices, meals, bedtime, etc. As a mom it feels like lots of mental gymnastics to figure out how to schedule it all.
Kronos time isn’t bad. We need it, and it keeps life moving.
But when a winter storm rolls in, Kronos starts to unravel a bit.
School might be delayed or canceled, appointments or practices get rescheduled, and the usual to-do list suddenly feels like a lower priority.
And suddenly, the clock isn’t dictating your day anymore.
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Enter Kairos Time (The Time We Forget About)
This is where Kairos time shows up.
Kairos time isn’t about minutes or hours.
It’s about meaning, presence, and moments that feel full. Kairos time is very fluid. You start to linger over coffee because there’s no rush out the door. Kids begin to pull out toys they forgot were in their closet. Everyone seems to enjoy movie night, just because. And conversations begin to form true connections because there’s nowhere else to be.
You usually don’t schedule Kairos time, and can’t force it.
But when it arrives, you feel it, and take notice of the nice change of pace. .
And winter storm days are basically an open invitation to notice that change.
Why Moms Rarely Get Kairos Time on Purpose
Here’s the thing most moms already know deep down, that we might hate to admit:
We can be really good at managing Kronos time. But, we’re not great at protecting Kairos time.
Not because we don’t want it—but because it feels indulgent, unrealistic, or just outright selfish.
We tell ourselves things like “I’ll take a break when it’s all done”, “I just need a little more time”, or “Just give me 10 more minutes”, all of which are well meaning, but can emotionally drain us.
So we keep chasing more time… instead of creating a different relationship with time.
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The Storm Didn’t Create the Pause—It Revealed It
The storm didn’t magically give us something new, instead it removed the noise.
When Kronos loosened its grip, Kairos slipped in quietly—and reminded me how little it actually takes to feel grounded again.
That realization is one of the reasons Me Time 4 Mom exists.
Not because moms need another thing to manage, hours alone, or perfectly planned schedules.
But because moms need the combination of serendipity and structure to notice meaningful moments inside real life—not outside of it.
It’s Not About Escaping Kronos
That’s not realistic, and would create more stress in our lives.
Instead, joy in everyday life isn’t about pretending schedules don’t exist or that responsibilities disappear. It’s about recognizing when Kronos is taking over too much, finding opportunities to implement Kairos into your day, and learning when to gently move between the two.
Because storms are temporary—but overwhelm doesn’t have to be.
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You Don’t Need a Storm to Reclaim Your Time
Winter storms are a reminder, not a requirement, for Kairos time.
They show us what’s possible when the pace changes, even for a brief amount of time.
Maybe the takeaway isn’t to recreate a storm-day schedule every day (no one is asking for that kind of next level chaos 😅), but to ask:
Where can I let the clock loosen just a little?
What moments already hold meaning that I rush past?
How can I create small Kairos pockets, even on busy days?
During these moments, that’s where we observe true joy and understanding of the moments that matter.
Not more time, not perfect time, just intentional, meaningful time that fits real mom life—storms or not.
And if today happens to be cold, quiet, and slow?
Let it be.
Sometimes the clock (or lack thereof because the power went out) needs a break too.
Until next time, enjoy the journey!
Copyright Me Time 4 Mom, LLC
