Work life balance

When I got paid in money for my professional efforts, one of the things I tried to achieve was a work-life balance. Some weeks that didn’t happen, but I rarely had a day without a few moments to myself. Even if just the tube ride to work, or the walk to the station.

Now that my job is child rearing, for which I get paid in cuddles and smiles (dispensed unpredictably) there is no such thing as a balance. This is my life and my work in one. And it is all-consuming.

In some ways that feels as though I’m no longer a real person, and in other ways, remarkably liberating.

London zoo

Another day out suitable for an out of town visitor and young children: The gardens of the Zoological Society of London. Top exhibits for our toddlers were the petting area, called ‘Animal Adventures’ and the Monkey Walk where little monkeys leap freely around. Our boy particularly enjoyed the proximity in both cases, shrieking with delight as the little monkeys swung so close to him on his daddy’s shoulders and fearlessly chasing chickens and slapping sheep in the petting area. Our girl is a bit less confident on her feet, and unlike her usual bold self was a little nervous around some of the animals, wanting to be held mostly when not in the buggy.

Children under 3 get in free, adults £25 each. Many food options inside but mostly overpriced rubbish so I’d take a picnic if prep time allows. Though at least all profits go to animal conservation.

Slightly tenuous link to parenting, but might be fun for children who are adventurous with food. Yet another reason to love Victoria Park: Next Saturday (18th May) the park rangers are organising ‘food for all’ designed “for the local community to celebrate cultural cohesion by tasting food from around the world”. At the hub building 1-3pm, free to attend. YUM! High-res

Slightly tenuous link to parenting, but might be fun for children who are adventurous with food.

Yet another reason to love Victoria Park: Next Saturday (18th May) the park rangers are organising ‘food for all’ designed “for the local community to celebrate cultural cohesion by tasting food from around the world”. At the hub building 1-3pm, free to attend. YUM!

We have a houseguest so today needed something to appeal to a first time london visitor, two longtime London residents who need a break and two toddlers. Greenwich observatory- bingo! We got there early so could park nearby, then went into the children’s ‘space safari’ show in the planetarium. We all thoroughly enjoyed the story of a teddy bear trying to find the big bear in the sky. And the little ones were captivated by the images of the planets and the night sky. Then we had an early, quick lunch in the cafe before exploring the museum buildings. There was surprising amounts of interest for the little ones, as well as, of course, the photo opportunity on the meridian. Under threes are free to enter, adults £11 for a combined planetarium plus museum ticket. Cafe overpriced, but worth it for convenience. Rounded off with a nice walk in Greenwich park- and our visitor saw the Cutty Sark too. An excellent day out. High-res

We have a houseguest so today needed something to appeal to a first time london visitor, two longtime London residents who need a break and two toddlers. Greenwich observatory- bingo!

We got there early so could park nearby, then went into the children’s ‘space safari’ show in the planetarium. We all thoroughly enjoyed the story of a teddy bear trying to find the big bear in the sky. And the little ones were captivated by the images of the planets and the night sky. Then we had an early, quick lunch in the cafe before exploring the museum buildings. There was surprising amounts of interest for the little ones, as well as, of course, the photo opportunity on the meridian.

Under threes are free to enter, adults £11 for a combined planetarium plus museum ticket. Cafe overpriced, but worth it for convenience.

Rounded off with a nice walk in Greenwich park- and our visitor saw the Cutty Sark too. An excellent day out.

theminipost:

MONSTER’S BABY at Boxpark

If you want kids Tee’s with attitude then you are gonna love  Monster’s Baby 

Their Tee’s bite. And sulk. And are angry! Our favs are  ’Angry Princess’ and ‘Alpha Boy‘ 

Available from Selfridges and will be popping up at Boxpark from May 15-22. Swing by for a goodie bag, a NikeID competition and games.

Sponsored by the uber creative people behind Anorak magazine and food by LaCatrina its going to be awesome.

Make sure to follow @MonstersBabyLtd for updates & news