Summer Sanity

Well I finally took the plunge this week and resigned from one of the best contracts I have ever had. 

Why? Partly because the work was really drying up, and partly because I did not want my little one spending the entire summer holiday either with a nanny or in some sort of full-time childcare. 

So I now have 7 weeks of day trips, swimming, bike rides and ice cream. Of course I'll be lying if I didn't say that the thought of a messy house, overcrowded London museums and a hyperactive 3.5 year old doesn't scare me. I've always told my friends that being at work is far easier than staying at home - hats off to all the stay at home mums. 

I think the key to keeping my sanity will be to get some of that all important "me" time. So I have armed myself with booking adult tennis and kickboxing lessons.

Thankfully, I know that it's only 7 weeks and I have a new challenge (job) awaiting me after that. 

My plan for the summer holidays is as follows: hope for the best, prepare for the worst and if all else fails hide in a cupboard with a glass of red wine! 

Little Londonite - Saturday 18 & Sunday 19th July, 2015

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

SATURDAY

1. Family Fun Day in Harrow – FREE

Head along to Harrow Arts Centre for a fun day of free art, dance and music activities for the whole family! Everyone can be creative, develop new skills and enjoy the challenge of doing something entirely different. Activities include: Creative workshops; Music; Theatre; Arts, Crafts and Food Stalls. Note: Some activities need registration.

Venue: Harrow Arts Centre

Website: www.harrowarts.com/family

Perfect For: All Ages
 

UNTIL 31st AUGUST
2. Tiddler in Leicester Square

 There can be few children’s bookshelves that don’t feature a story or two from Julia Donaldson and Axle Scheffler. This summer, Scamp Theatre has transferred some of their most-adored stories to the stage, retelling Tiddler, Monkey Puzzle, The Smartest Giant in Town and A Squash and a Squeeze woven together with live music, puppetry and a whole host of colourful characters. Is Tiddler telling the truth? Only one way to find out…

Venue: Leicester Square Theatre, Leicester Place, London WC2

 Perfect For: Ages 3+

 Website: http://www.scamptheatre.com/production/tiddle

SUNDAY
3. Chinatown Family Day - FREE

Chinatown's already colourful and enticing streets will be filled with activities and entertainment for children of all ages. The stages, one on Gerrard Street and one on Wardour Street, will host an exciting programme of performances from 12-5pm, including traditional Japanese drumming, family magic shows, martial arts performances and an Indonesian orchestra. Kids will also have the chance to take part in a treasure hunt as well as calligraphy, mask making and origami lessons! There will also be a world famous Lion Dance display as well as traditional stilt walkers, pot jugglers and goodie bags.

 Venue: China Town

 Website: http://www.chinatownlondon.org/page/family-day-returns-to-chinatown/521

 Perfect For: All Ages

 SATURDAY
4. Festival Of Archaeology: Secret of Roman Londoners - FREE

 Investigate what archaeology can reveal about life in Roman London, from what people ate to where they came from and how they died by studying Roman Skeletons. Kids will be given the opportunity o create a magic mosaic and craft out precious items for the mysterious underworld.

Venue: Museum Of London

Website: http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/london-wall/whats-on/family-events/foa/

 Perfect For: Ages 5+


SUNDAY
5. Creative Connections at The National Portrait Gallery  FREE

Inspired by the Creative Connections display, turn yourself into a life-size sculpture and work with project artist Kate Peters on a photographic portrait of your sculpture.

Venue: The National Portrait Gallery

Website: http://www.npg.org.uk/whatson/event-root/july-2015/drop-in-family-session-creative-connections-19072015-1300.php

Perfect For: Ages 3+

My Mummy: Unfortunately going back to work didn't work for me

"Unfortunately going back to work didn't really work for me. I went back part time which meant 5 days a week 8am to 3.30pm. The problem I faced was that I was expected to do a full time job in part time hours cuz my workload wasn't any different to before I was on maternity leave. So I was constantly under tremendous pressure to keep the traders happy 

(which was rare) and all I could think was that I need to leave to pick my son up. My husband works 14 hours a day so my sons complete responsibility was on me! 

Not sure if this is the answer you were looking for! But yeh I struggled given I have no family here whatsoever and my husband could not get to the nursery on time and he travels so much that if my son was unwell it would be me who would have to take the day off. And well hedge funds are not exactly mum friendly so home access is a huge no no! So yeh I was unable to find the balance I'm afraid. 

Hedge Fund

My Mummy: I am definitely for being a supermum and having it all

"I thought juggling life and work was hard before I was a mum but now I realise how easy I had it and wish I'd been more spontaneous and adventurous then! Now I have 2 beautiful babies and have found a whole new level of organisational skills! 

I work at an investment bank in the city and I can honestly say I love my job. After each child I couldn't wait to get back to work - not because I don't enjoy time with them because I most definitely do (more so now!), but because it gives me a piece of me back. Where I am known for my skills and abilities in an entirely adult world. 

This would not have been possible were it not for the company being so flexible and my manager being so accommodating.  Unfortunately there aren't many places with this winning combination out there but it does seem like attitudes to parenthood in the workplace are slowly improving! Luckily both kids love nursery and they make me proud everyday!

I am definitely for being a supermum and having it all!"

Investment Banking 

My Mummy: I love my job, and am very passionate about it but having to leave my little angel in tears is so heartbreaking

"My job is too busy. If something isn't complete at work I am holding up the entire process like packaging of product, formulating and releasing products.

They are giving me so much flexibility but sometimes its not enough. I love my job, and am very passionate about it but having to leave my little angel in tears is so heartbreaking. Being a full time working mum I am always rushing - to get to work on time, to get home in time so I can feed, bath and play with my baby girl, then to cook/clean etc.."

Pharmaceuticals

My Mummy: I miss being with my children but part of me loves working

"I miss being with my children, but part of me loves working. Everyday when I leave them I feel I want to quit working for someone else, but then remember I am working for them. Love them. "

Legal profession

The white cliffs of Eastbourne

Last weekend we ventured down to visit Eastbourne. Both my husband and I had fallen in love with Beachy Head since our last trip.

The bright white chalk cliffs were absolutely breath-taking. The weather was mild and warm; we drove up to Beachy Head in the early evening. I could have happily have stayed there the whole day listening to the waves hit the pebbles on the beach, and gazing out to the white cliffs stretching out to the horizon. Beautiful views of greenery, rolling hills and the sea.

My 3 year old loves to explore, however I wasn’t quite willing to let her satisfy her curiosity of looking over the cliff edge. She did however enjoy racing me up to the lighthouse and running around on the hills. Just then I asked myself, "Is this what paradise looks like?"

We finished the weekend with a 2 hour visit to Eastbourne Miniature Steam Railway Adventure Park and what a delight that was. Arriving at 10am on Sunday morning we were the first to queue. I was wondering if we would be the only ones at the park but very quickly the place filled up with young families.

My little one immediately ran to the adventure playground especially enjoying the obstacle course and various play frames on offer. The one eighth scale locomotives were a real joy to see, chugging around the entire country park. The highlight of the visit was the train ride, “All Aboard” my little on squealed and off we went around the lake CHOO CHOO!