Beating the "back to school" blues

It's the moment of truth. After enjoying an activity packed 7 week summer holiday with my little one I am back in the city. Saying goodbye to the sun, fun and freedom of summer is difficult.

We've all been there, getting off the plane from an amazing week or two away in an exotic destination to cold, rainy England and the prospect of work the next morning causing upset.

However, for me this time was that bit more daunting as not only was I going back to work but I was also starting a new job. There's nothing like a dose of post holiday blues that make you wish you'd chucked it all in and opened a donkey sanctuary in Cyprus. Here are some top tips to banish those blues.

1. Enjoy the memories 

You might expect that pondering over all those sun kissed moments will make you deflated but it's quite the opposite. Print out some of those holiday photos and put them around the house - they can be great mood boosters.

2. Be kind to yourself

Personally I have chosen to do that by sticking to my personal training and kickboxing regime through the winter. Hoping it will help tackle those god awful bingo wings!

3 Plan your next trip 

Yes, you read correctly you have permission to start planning your next big trip. Infact I found myself looking at ski holidays to Austria on my journey back from Cyprus - perhaps a bit premature, I know.

The Importance of Teaching Assertiveness

It was when I went to the science museum, I realised how much of a pushover my little one could be. 

We started off playing in 'The Garden', a sensory play area for 3-6 year olds in the basement of London's science museum. She patiently waited for her turn to use a toy wheelbarrow for 10 odd minutes only to have a bigger kid snatch it off her within seconds - and when he did she just looked over at me to help. 

We then moved to the pattern pod an interactive gallery for kids. My little one was fascinated by the touch-screen pattern display and once again patiently waited in line for her turn. We waited and waited and waited. There were 3 machines available, however 3 young siblings had taken charge of these and were doing everything possible to not let her have a go. They were calling out to each other "don't let her on", "don't let her have a go". It was cruel and hurtful and I actually felt myself get really angry at these young children. My little one said to me "don't worry mummy I'll just watch". 

Of course, I could just dismiss the incident as bossy kids testing their powers in a play setting. However does it really end there? Will that teach her to always "just watch" from the sidelines and not grab opportunities as they arise because she dislikes the confrontation? 

I feel now it's just as important to teach assertiveness as it is to teach manners. Assertiveness for some is not innate, while it might come naturally to some I believe it is a skill that needs to be taught. In fact, I myself often find it difficult in the workplace to model the behaviour I want to teach my little one to deal with in the playground.

I have recently taken up kickboxing and looking into learning Krav Maga - no of course I'm not going to go practicing knee kicks on my colleagues at work but it's about building that inner self confidence. Knowing how to defend yourself while respecting others is vitally important. 

Hopefully one day she will be able to stand up tall, use her confident voice and say four simple words "No, it's my turn"!

Is the maxi micro scooter really worth the £100 price tag?

So we finally bit the bullet and invested in the Maxi Micro scooter. It took us a while to get there given the £100 price tag which always felt a bit much to me for a scooter; after all it's a tbar, a board and 3 very small wheels.

These micro scooters are everywhere! We go to the park and it's a rare to see preschoolers using their feet anymore. They whizz past one foot on board the other riding the road, "Wheeeeee look at meeeee". You hear stories of toddlers in the Alpine being put on ski slopes as soon as they can walk, it seems the scooter is Brtiain's equivalent. Unfortunately for us there are no snowy mountains for our children to learn balance and co-ordination - so the scooter must make do!

Our little one started off with a simple doc mcstuffin pink £19.99 scooter from Argos. It was a basic, does-the-job scooter. However, it quickly became obvious that it just didn't have the speed or manoeuvrability of other more expensive scooters on the market.

So as I am off for the next few weeks, I thought why not and promised the little one a new scooter. "A pink one?" she asked. Of course everything has to be pink!

Now the first decision I had to make was whether to go for a mini or maxi. The minis are much lighter and recommended for 3-5 year olds. The maxi is recommended for 5 years +. We finalised on the maxi as I have a tall 3.5 year old and really didn't want to invest in a 3rd scooter once she had outgrown this one.

I was very pleased at how easy the scooter was to assemble. Everything clicked into place within minutes. The initial confusion we had was how to steer it and after some faffing around we learnt about the lean and steer mechanism. You stand on the scooter with both hands and lean in the direction you want to go, which turns the wheels. It has a brake on the back and looks very sturdy. The handle bar is adjustable which is handy for me as when she gets tired I can increase the height and pull it along without hurting my back.

This scooter really is fantastic and glides along the path. I've had a cheeky go or two myself, even though the max weight is 50kg -oops. I look forward to now testing it on our holiday in Cyprus!

How I dealt with the guilt

My first pang of guilt was when I dropped my 14 month old baby to daycare for the first time. It broke my heart to see her streaming tears as I handed her over to the caregiver.

I am lucky enough to be friends with mummies from all walks of life. Sadly, the one common thing we all share is the guilt. The working mum feels guilty that she sends her kids to daycare. The stay at home mum feels guilty for not having the energy to play with Lego and dolls all day long. The mum with only one child feels the 'selfish guilt' of making her child lonely. The mum of 3 feels she can't give enough of her attention to all of her kids. And I won't even bother to start on the single mum guilt.

I have often heard from my little one "why can't you pick me up from school?, "Can you please come with me to butterfly world (school trip)?". I feel torn, but explain to her that mummy has to work and promise to have loads of fun with her on the weekend.

The single best piece of advice I once received from a close friend was that "mummy guilt" doesn't help anything. It is a waste of energy and emotion.

For me, I dealt with this guilt by firstly finding an amazing nanny, her name was Ella. If it wasn't for Ella I think I would have quit working a couple of years ago. She came into our lives and quickly became a member of our family and I will always be thankful to her for her dedication. And secondly, by moving her to a very good quality Montessori who took my little toddler and gave her the personal touch needed to turn her into a more confident little girl. Once I knew she was in good hands I could finally relax. Although, the guilt never fully goes away it subsided a little.

Even though it's hard to swallow sometimes, I do feel like my little girl gets it. And I am hoping that I'm setting a good example for her by showing her that women can have it all and really enjoy the work they do. I hope she too will be inspired to work hard to make her dreams a reality.

Little Londonite - Saturday 25th & Sunday 26th July 2015

As a working mum the weekend tends to be the only time to enjoy those precious family moments. Every Thursday, we will suggest the 5 most family-friendly activities and events to enjoy in London the coming weekend.

SATURDAY & SUNDAY - FREE

1. Design your Geodesic Dome at the Gherkin

Learn about architecture and design your own Geodesic Dome inspired by the roof of the Gherkin. Investigate the structural elements of the triangle. Booking required. 

Venue: Gherkin Viewing Platform, Level 40

Website: Archikids Festival

Perfect for Ages: 7+

SATUDAY & SUNDAY - FREE

2. Summer Holiday Fun with Harrods

Little visitors will get the chance to design a passport cover and summer hat, plus take home a goodie bag of treats. Registration to mini Harrods required.

Venue: Harrods, Third Floor

Website: Mini Harrods

Perfect for Ages: 5+

SATUDAY & SUNDAY - FREE

3. Meet the Time Travellers: Albert Einstein

Come and meet time-travelling genius Albert Einstein and his modern-day partner in time, Anna Bastable. Find out about the amazing scientific theories Einstein developed that changed the way we look at the Universe.  

Venue: Royal Observatory, Greenwich

Website: Royal Observatory

Perfect for Ages: 7+

SUNDAY - FREE

4. Create and Make: Electro-dough workshop

Get your little ones to build a 3D design of your favourite models using dough, LED lights and sounds.

Venue: Design Museum

Website: Design Museum

Perfect for Ages: 5+

ONGOING

5. Climbers and Creepers, Kew

Take the little ones along to this unique and interactive botanical play area. They can wriggle through the little tunnels pretending to be mice or slide down the giant pitcher plant. Let them become insects and learn all about pollination. Additionally located just outside Climbers and Creepers is Tree House Towers, which allows up to 300 kids to climb up ladders, clamber across rope bridges and slide their way down three towers.

Venue: Kew

Website: Kew Climbers & Creepers

Perfect for ages 3+

Entrance fee applies, see website for further details.

Mumpreneur : Francesca Brecciaroli

"As a working mum I must admit that life is not easy. Especially when you are a mum of 2 young boys with no family around that can support.

However, I am proud I still work because this gives me the sense of financial contribution to the family which makes me feel good.

I understand that there maybe a perception that being a stay at home mum means having a good time, drinking coffee and seeing friends. This is ridiculous, I personally could not do it- it would be too hard!

I have now gone back to work 3 days a week as a PA in an fund advisory company which gives me a good work/life balance. However, it is not my ideal job and I am trying to realise my dream of being a professional children photographer.

I have self studied photography for many years and am now specialising in children's portrait photography which I really enjoy. Currently, I work with babies and toddlers but I intend to specialise in newborn photography as well to capture those special moments in every parents life.

Feel free to visit  my website www.brecciaphotos.com and give me a call. "

The Diana Princess Memorial Playground

Hyped as the 'best adventure playground in London' - the Diana memorial playground was on our must-see list this summer.

This children's wonderland opened in June 2000 at a cost of £1.7million in memory of the late princess. Located next to her Kensington Palace home, the playground is a fitting tribute for a princess who loved the innocence of childhood. Inspired by J M Barrie's novel, Peter Pan

Little monkey and I finally got the opportunity yesterday to visit. Arriving at midday, we were lucky enough to walk straight in. A huge wooden pirate ship takes centre stage on its own beach - Wow.

Entered via a thick rope gangways and ladders, the ship has a rigging to climb, a crows nest to keep watch from, a hold to explore and a captain's cabin to steer the beauty. My little one was more than ready to set sail on her little adventure for distant shores in search for the " Treasure!". For fans of Peter Pan this ship is clearly Captain Hooks Jolly Roger.

Sand, rocks and water features surrounded the ship allowing for lots of imaginative water play. It reminded me of the magical shores of Peter Pans Neverland. Look closely enough and you may even spot a crocodile.

The landscaping is beautiful- The Diana Princess memorial playground is full of flowers and bushes with natural shapes and textures. There is literally a surprise around every corner - A telescope contains a colourful kaleidoscope, a half buried treasure chest, beautifully carved totem poles and a teepee encampment.

So to answer the question is this the best playground in London? Yes it most certainly is!.

Tips: Arrive early and take a change of clothes.