The Lowcountry treats us pretty well in terms of weather, as long as you like it hot nine months of the year. But what do you do when the skies open up and the kids drive you bonkers?

1. Get Coffee. My favorite local cafes realize that sleep-deprived parents make excellent repeat customers. Muddy Waters now has two locations -- the original location off Maybank Highway on James Island, and the new location off Ashley River Rd in West Ashley. Both shops invite you to stay and sip with comfortable couches and toys for the short crowd. If it's not busy and you ask nicely, the staff will show your toddler how to work the espresso machine. (It's about time they started learning marketable skills anyway, right?)

2. Go retro. Two words: bowling and roller-skating. Both give you the chance to share footwear with the masses, provide a unique soundtrack, and allow parents to relive junior high. And while that last part may not appeal to you, it's amazing how fun these activities can be now that you're not trying too hard to look cool. Go all out and dress the family up in disco wear or bowling jackets, and you'll have a photo op worthy of this year's holiday card. Try Hot Wheels off Folly Road for skating or AMF Charleston Lanes for bowling.

3. Bounce off the walls. They can do it in your living room, or they can do it up against the soft inflatable plastic monstrosities at Ready, Set, Jump! Your choice, but personally, I'd rather let them loose at someone else's place. There are two locations in town on Daniel Island and James Island, with open jump times most afternoons. Bring your socks, even if you don't plan to jump, or you might be 9 months pregnant trying to pull newly purchased white cotton on over swollen ankles. Not that I know anyone who did that, of course.

4. Go swimming. No, I'm not crazy. They can put pools indoors these days and heat the water -- it's SUPER fancy. The W.L. Stephens Aquatic Center is operated by Charleston Parks and Recreation, making it cheap and accessible. It's open year-round with an average water temperature around 80 degrees, which means you won't have blue lips when you get out. (I can't promise the same for green-tinged hair.) 

5. Get wet. Even if it's raining, it's probably not that cold outside. Put on a hat, rainboots or flip flops -- or grab an umbrella if you must -- and head outside. As my father always said, "It's just water. You ain't made of sugar, so you ain't gonna melt."  Pick up wiggly worms, stick out your tongue and catch raindrops, and then find the largest puddle you can and jump in. After all, sometimes the best way past a rainy day is right through the middle of it.