Birthday on own with children

[GingerKombucha]

It's my 40th birthday in a few weeks. It's on a Sunday and my husband has to go away for work, nothing he can do about it and I'm not at all cross. He'll do something lovely with me the day before and we'll all go away the weekend after. However, I would like my birthday to feel special. I have a 1 and 3 year old, I would like to do something with them rather than get childcare. Parents aren't around, and most friends are away. I'm in London, money no real issue but my house is getting renovated so a bit of a mess and I'd like to stay out of it. Any ideas of how it can feel like a treat and not be stressful?

That's a tricky one - I have a one and a three year old, and I'm struggling to think of non-stressful days out because if I took them somewhere nice they'd both be running off in opposite directions! But if your 3 year old is reasonably sensible and your 1 year old is not magnetically drawn to hazards like mine is, I think Kew Gardens is lovely for a day out with children. The children's garden is amazing, but if it would be difficult trying to watch both, you could just not tell them about it and take them to a quieter bit where they could run around in a more containable way, and you could bring a lovely picnic.

Anything you particularly like doing? As a parent things I’ve actually enjoyed doing within London lately with kids (as opposed to doing it just ‘for them’!) I’ve recently taken DS and his young friends to Moco, which is fab for younger children and a lot of fun to wonder round as an adult. I’ve heard Frameless is also really good with kids. Depending on how you feel about eating out, The Ampersand does a fab science/NHM themed afternoon tea that feels pretty luxurious whilst also being really child friendly.

Other than that, I know you said you’d prefer to do stuff with kids as opposed to childcare, but maybe try and find a babysitter who’d join you for a day out to take the edge off having to do EVERYTHING yourself, and maybe balance some of your favourite things near a playground so the babysitter can take over for moments of popping into your favourite shops while he/she lets the kids burn off energy outside.

Also second Kew, if the weather is good!

What sort of places do you like to go to? If it was me I’d do a day out at London Zoo because I love animals but appreciate that’s not for everyone.

Frameless is a great idea, I've been meaning to do that for ages. I would maybe brave afternoon tea with the 3 year old but the 1 year old is still at the trying to climb out of high chair and throw things stage so she might be tricky. Maybe Frameless then a Hyde Park picnic (with mini champagne for me) could work. Also like the Kew and zoo suggestions.

Are they in childcare on the day? Honestly I'd leave them in nursery and go have a lovely day by myself! 😆

I would definitely plan some lovely food to make it special - croissants in the morning, takeaway or a really good but easy to cook dinner in the evening plus something tasty to drink for you, a nice cake for afters. My DH is usually away for mine but I always put some bunting up and blow up a few balloons, my kids love a birthday regardless of who's it is.

Sadly it's a Sunday so no childcare!