If you’re reading this then give yourself a massive pat on the back and pour a large G&T/glass of champagne/insert your favourite tipple here. You survived the summer holidays – no easy thing when you have over six weeks in which to entertain/enthral and delight your child.
Instagram is where you’ll find me every day (if you’re not following me then you’re missing out, if I do say so myself) sharing what we get up to through stories – which have become my favourite thing as they allow me to show the good, the bad, and the quite frankly scary first thing in the morning selfie with my followers. Social media is brilliant for allowing us to connect and share our lives with so many people but with that comes the ‘insta perfect’ pressure.
It’s no secret that I’m much better suited to planning holidays than days out – give me a country and a budget and I’ll have a spreadsheet-heavy itinerary ready in no time; however, ask me to organise a day out for the kids and I’ll either come up blank or plan a day that costs more than a city break for two!
Groupon understands that being chief entertainer isn’t easy, so when they approached me about their #SummerUnfiltered campaign I was keen to get involved. The campaign is all about championing ‘realness’ on social media and encouraging parents to spend time with their kids without spending an arm and a leg. So, luckily for us, they planned a day out for Boo and I – and sent us for a fun-packed afternoon at Dinosaurs In The Wild in Greenwich.
I’m no newbie to Groupon – I’ve been using them for years for finding the best beauty deals and afternoon tea experiences, but I have to admit to not thinking of them for family days out… until now. I was really surprised at just how many experiences there are for all the family; from guided city walks to days out at theme parks, there’s something for every family and every budget.
Dinosaurs in The Wild was amazing, ever since we rode the Jurassic Park ride at Universal Orlando, Boo’s been obsessed with dinosaurs. The immersive experience was way better than I anticipated, with all of the attention to detail building such a believable experience for Boo – we had a brilliant time. Boo was so excited, that on our way there she asked me over 30 times how many stops until we arrived! Something all parents have experienced…
The summer holidays are such a metaphor for parenthood: the pressures of ‘getting it right’ is as old as time, but with social media, the pressure to share the perfect pic has been ramped up. So here’s a (clearly unfiltered) snap of me losing my parenting mind after a full on, but absolutely lovely, day out with Boo.
So as we start the new academic year, let’s make a parenting resolution to keep it real when it comes to expectation vs reality, regardless of the Insta perfection we scroll through on a daily basis… because keeping it real is the new hashtag blessed.
To find some great activities for you and the kids without breaking the bank – go to Groupon.
Disclosure: This is a collaboration with Groupon, a fee was received for my time
