Stress Free London Easter

Stress Free London Easter

Easter in London with kids can be super expensive. It is not so much the cost of getting into to places. The majority of museums in London especially the major ones are all free. It is mainly the cost of feeding the little ones once out in Central London or near it that really empties the pockets. The gift shop is another money eater but really that part might be my issue as I'm a bit partial to a gift shop purchase. Something to do with the 'memory' of the event I guess.

With this in mind and determined to make this easter as stress free and pocket friendly as possible, I have put together some ideas to survive the easter holidays with both my mind and my wallet in tact.

Hope this is helpful to you also if you live here and are new to London or are planning to visit anytime soon.

As I mentioned, one of the major spends whilst exploring London is on food. However, there are cheaper alternatives (NOT just McDonalds) if you are prepared to seek them out. Lifestyle magazine The Londonist have a great list of cheap eats near the main museums here. And of course Google Maps extra service  which shows you what's nearby is also a good way to eat out on a budget. If the weather is good it's a good idea to pack a packed lunch for the day and simply come out of the museum and eat in the local squares and gardens which are dotted near every single major museum. Some museums such as the The Horniman Museum and Gardens have such beautiful gardens attached it would be a shame to not sit with a picnic and enjoy the views on a nice day.

Picture of a part of Horniman Museum Gardens

If you plan carefully that usual £100 day out could be just £20 or less. Great for buying that new bag/outfit/garden furniture you've had your eye on. Oops sorry the garden furniture bit is just me. ☺.
As I was saying... it is a saving! Who doesn't want to save cash and still have a great experience?

London is not just about 'culture' there are so many local parks and woods especially in south London that make for a good time. If you don't live south, phone a friend or find a friend that lives that side of the river because the parking alone will save you a fortune with the exception of areas such as Putney and Battersea; but you always get the awkward ones right? A few of the bigger parks will sometimes host Easter trails for the younger kids which you can pick up at the park information hut for free or sometimes for a small contribution so it is worth having a go if you want to get the little ones excited before you find your 'I'm not getting up from here' spot in the park. And of course before you head out throw a ball, frisbee, book or even bubbles for the little ones in a bag so they can keep themselves amused for that twenty minute interval when you've found your 'spot' and you just want to sit down.  Of course it does help to meet up with friends and family if possible to make that rest interval last longer.

For those inside days (yes, you definitely need a plan for the inside day thanks to the English weather), movie marathon, dance competition, charades, a few 'Simon says' games are all great inexpensive options even if you are stuck in the hotel. I did come across a 3 in a row game made with a marker, some tape and disposable plates that looked like a good hotel option but haven't tried it yet personally. If you do try this do let me know.

Easter is also a great time to teach some cooking skills and at the same time remind or re-introduce your family to some of the traditional food that is eaten mainly at easter. No - Not just chocolate Easter Eggs but things like Jamaican Bun and Cheese, Hot Cross Buns, Hard Boiled Eggs dyed Red to symbolize the blood of Christ (a tradition in Greece), Paska (Russian Sweet Bread) and too many others to name. This is a great inexpensive one for those with pre-teens. Lets be honest not everyone can afford regular Jump Giants (indoor trampolining) trips or clothes shopping trips at Westfield. Although to keep this particular activity stress free might require patience on the part of the adult and a 'I will not take over!' mantra on repeat in one's head, but still a great memory to make even if you burn the food. Pizza anyone???

Have a stress free easter folks!

Mummy's Job....according to my six year old

Mummy's Job....according to my six year old.

I had an interesting conversation with my six year old daughter on the walk to school this morning. Whilst avoiding the dog poo on the pavement, (we live near a park with some irresponsible dog owners) she came out with this statement. Quite random but I've come to expect this from my six year old. So this is how the conversation went.

Six  year old - 'Mummy, you have three jobs!'
Me              - 'I do?'
Six year old  - 'Yeah...you have to be a mum, a 'rememberer' and a mum that has to go to a job to get money'
Me             - 'Aaah ok!'

Quite satisfied with laying that little nugget of wisdom, we then proceeded to play I spy the rest of the way.

Usually these conversations might get put to the back of the brain and maybe recalled for future reference but this one stayed with me all day. It just made me smile. To think a six year can be so in tune that they can essentially sum up what most of us mums do everyday.

We do have 3 jobs. We have a multitude of jobs. We are mothers and of course that includes everything from cooking and cleaning to playmate and nurse/doctor.

But we are also 'rememberers' as my daughter phrased it. What is interesting is that my daughter chose to see this as a separate part of being a mum. I asked her later what she meant by 'rememberers' and she explained that I am the one she turns to share the memories that she has of different events that we have done together as well as the one who remembers what days friends are coming over or she going to them. Quite simple right? Her view was interesting as my first thought at hearing  the word 'rememberers' was that I was the unpaid family secretary and organiser, which I am not denying that I am. But for my six year old and probably for the other young children, our job as parents is to facilitate the creation memories for them. Whether that be getting together with family or going to explore a new park, museum exhibit or play area. Or even just walking to school playing eye spy. Its all about creating positive memories throughout childhood that ultimately will sustain you as an adult, especially through difficult times.

Creating memories in the park

Thing is you don't have to be a mother to be a 'rememberer' because the fact is as girls we are just raised to be the one that remembers the birthdays, the christenings, and every other special event in the lives of family and friends. Aunties, Girlfriends, Sister in laws, Grandmothers are all 'rememberers' and together we help sustain the character of the next generation.

A pretty positive thought on International Women's Day and a good way to take one into Women's History Month March 2017.



Would you agree?

Birthday party 101!

Birthday party 101!

Last year I had a Birthday celebration for my 11 year old. It was a simple gathering. Her and a few of her friends went to a climbing lesson at the local sports centre and then came back to our house for pizza. It was 6 children in all as this was the booking I could get with the sports centre for a day close to my daughter's actual birthday. Now here is where it got tricky!

Who do you invite?

I left it to my daughter to chose the 5 other boys and girls that would join her. Which of course meant that some of her friends didn't get an invite. There was no malicious intent it was simply a question of numbers. However, it is this question of numbers that can really get a parent into trouble. Especially with other parents who feel that their child should have been one of the 5 children and so decide to take out their frustration by avoiding you at all possible costs. But at least they didn't say 'cash me outside!' ☺. I'm not about that life!

The reaction I thought was a little bit over the top. But looking at comments on Mums website NetMums the responses were quite mixed and led me to think of this 101! guide for Birthday parties; which I feel maybe should be given to every parent alongside their starting school pack just to remind them that a 'non-invite' does not mean your child is not liked. Nursery/Primary school age seems to be the time when this situation is likely to occur the most. By the time they get to Secondary school we don't know half their friends and our kids tend to (THANKFULLY) selectively invite people to more small events like paint-balling or cinema anyway.

I'm not an expert by any stretch of the imagination (in particular my crazy imagination). This guide is just a suggestion for those like myself to refer back to when faced with this dilemma.

It's just a suggestion!

Everyone has feelings and of course it is only natural for parents to be protective of their children. But if with every party 'non-invite' we pass on the idea to our children that not being invited to something will always mean that you are not liked; we could be setting them up to have a pretty pessimistic view of life. We all need to the skill of Resilience in life to deal with adversity. For example I could only get 3 likes for my profile pic on Facebook but I still know I am beautiful!

Seriously though..do you really want your child to go through life being the 'people pleaser', the ' one who always says yes' because they don't have the confidence to say no? The one person that always gets taken advantage of. Do you want them to be the type of person that only values the 'superficial' over the 'real' in life or even worse not be able to distinguish between the two?  What did you say? - You do! Stop reading now! For those of you who don't want this path for children thanks for sticking with this post so far.

Resilience is an important life skill. Well it must be... why else do teachers and education experts keep talking about it? Resilience_in_schools_health_inequalities Report 2014. It is definitely a skill some of us as parents were never taught in school or at home and so had to learn the hard way. So where better to start teaching this skill to our kids than with the inevitable 'non party invite' situation.

It's just a thought!