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My Balancing Act

Christmas, why I hate it and why I love it

Balancing Life as a working mum with family travel and adventures Learn More

Tag Archives: Christmas

Christmas, why I hate it and why I love it

Posted by My Balancing Act Dec 29, 2018 Uncategorized Christmas 4 Comments
Christmas, why I hate it and why I love it

I hate Christmas I hate wrapping presents, I hate writing cards, I hate how every year I say I will be more organised but I never am. I hate the sore head I get after the Christmas party. I hate how it gets my son so excited he is prone to mammoth tantrums and meltdowns. […]

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Rowena Becker
✨Save this for your next London day out! POV: y ✨Save this for your next London day out!POV: you found the most magical place to eat in London ✨🫖Ad/PR inviteWe were invited to step into Neverland at the Peter Pan Afternoon Tea at Aqua Shard. Sitting 31 floors above London inside The Shard, with some of the most breathtaking views across the city, my son declared this was the best restaurant ever.And it has to be one of the most enchanting afternoon teas in London. We were so high we could honestly imagine Peter Pan and Wendy flying by.Every detail was magical. Our cream tea scones arrived hidden inside a treasure chest, opening to reveal an infinity mirror that seemed to go on forever. Oh and I did cream first, then the jam - is that the right way?! Then came the sweetest surprise of all... a miniature pirate ship, surrounded by swirling mist, carrying the most beautiful selection of sweet treats. It genuinely felt as though it had sailed straight out of Neverland. It’s just magical for children and for adults too - especially as I got to enjoy a gorgeous glass of champagne alongside the afternoon tea. ✨ If you’re looking for a truly magical London experience, this deserves a place at the top of your list.Who would you take with you? 💚#PeterPanAfternoonTea #AquaShard #TheShardLondon #LondonAfternoonTea  #LondonWithKids
If you’re heading to Stranger Things: The First If you’re heading to Stranger Things: The First Shadow, here’s a London itinerary I’d happily recommend.🎁 The theatre tickets were a present from my husband through Virgin Experiences, to celebrate my birthday. Just the two of us and a real treat. 💙💛🍸 We paired the show with lunch at Tigermilk Soho who kindly gifted us a meal (Ad). Tigermilk is just one minute from the Pheonix theatre. We tried the £39 pre theatre menu after the matinee performance, it works just as well before an evening show.Stranger Things is one of the most immersive theatre experiences we’ve ever experienced. No spoilers from me… but if you’re a Stranger Things fan, you’re in for something really special.And yes... we had to finish with cheesecake (swipe right). 🍰✨ Save this for your next London theatre day out.Have you seen Stranger Things: The First Shadow yet, or is it on your list?#LondonTheatre #StrangerThings #StrangerThingsTheFirstShadow #SohoLondon  #Tigermilk
He was warned to duck. 🦆 My son got picked at He was warned to duck. 🦆 My son got picked at Universal Studio’s Animal Actors show — and the pigeons had PLANS 😂 Fun fact: pigeons were literally his favourite birds as a little boy. The universe remembered. Tag someone who’d absolutely lose it if this happened to them 👇 #UniversalStudios #AnimalActors #UniversalOrlando #ViralMoment  #FamilyMemories
We genuinely thought a Disney holiday was out of o We genuinely thought a Disney holiday was out of our budget… until we found this hotel. ✨❤️ Save this post for your Disney Trip. Staying here saved us hundreds without feeling like we were compromising. From free breakfast every morning to evening Kickback dinner snacks, three complimentary cocktails (other alcohol drinks available!), free evening soft drinks and popcorn, a huge pool, splash pad, hot tub, spacious family rooms and a free shuttle to the Disney Parks, it completely changed the cost of our trip.Sometimes it’s the hotel that makes the holiday affordable.📩 DM me “DRURY” and I’ll send you:✔ Link to my full blog review✔ Where to book for the best dealHave you stayed somewhere that completely exceeded your expectations? Let me know below! 👇#WaltDisneyWorld #DisneyPlanning #DisneyTips #DisneyHacks #OrlandoHotels
Timanfaya National Park, Lanzarote — where the g Timanfaya National Park, Lanzarote — where the ground is literally 600°C beneath your feet and the planet just casually proves it on demand 🔥My son’s reaction said everything 😂 he took the words right out of my mouth 😂This is one of those moments that no photo can ever do justice — you just have to be there (and apparently pour water on a volcano) 💦🌋Shoutout to the guide who does this 10 times a day and still doesn’t flinch. The guide did it like it was completely normal. We were NOT normal about it 😂 — tag someone you’d bring here just to watch their face 👇 #RayBanMetaChallenge #Timanfaya #Lanzarote #VolcanicIsland  #TravelWithKids  KidsReactions
I went quiet. Here’s what I was doing instead. 🌿Listening to birdsong, morning walks and a dog demanding sticks. No script, no trending audio, no plan — just the kind of walk that reminds your nervous system it’s going to be okay.I’ve been rebalancing. Recharging. Doing the things that actually fill me up before I pour back into everyone else.Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is disappear for a little while. .If you’re a mum who’s been running on empty — this one’s for you. The content will be back. But first, this.What does YOUR dopamine reset look like? Share below 👇#dopaminewalk #recharging #selfcaremum #rawsounds #slowliving dopaminedetox mentalreset naturetherapy
I’m convinced she just said ‘yes please’ 😂🐶Tell me you heard it too…WHAT did she just say?! Comment what you hear 👇#waitforit #didyouhearthat #funnyreels #bockersofinstagram #talkingdogs
Happy Mother’s Day 💐 This year I did somethi Happy Mother’s Day 💐This year I did something a little different… instead of the usual fresh flowers that last a few days, I gave my mum this beautiful faux bouquet.And honestly? She thought they were real when I handed them to her. The peach peonies and roses are so realistic 🌸I love giving flowers, but I also love gifts that last longer than a week. Now she can keep this on her table and it will remind her of today every time she sees it 🤍It actually made me realise how much faux flowers have changed – they’re nothing like the ones we used to see years ago.I’ve written a blog post about why faux flowers are becoming such a big Mother’s Day trend and how they compare to fresh flowers if you’re curious.You can read it via the link in my bio where I also share how to style Faux Flowers and share more close up photos 🌷And tell me in the comments…Do you prefer fresh flowers or faux flowers for gifts? 👇ad gifted bouquet from @floralsilkflowers  #mothersdayflowers#artificialflowers#flowerlovers#homeinspogiftideasformum
AD Winter wellness with @sambucoluk Sambucol is AD Winter wellness with @sambucoluk Sambucol is part of how we support our family’s immune health so we can keep having fun and make memories.Packed with Black Elderberries, Vitamin C and Zinc for that all important immune support, they’re our go-to all year round!Sambucol is available in liquid or gummy form so there’s something for everyone in the family and they taste great too!Pick yours up @bootsuk#ad #Sambucol #WinterWellness #FamilyLife
What a year! 💛 Fun but affordable travel and I What a year! 💛Fun but affordable travel and I will be sharing my top tips in January on how to make travel with family affordable. Highlights have been:🏕️ Camping with @xpfreedomuk in their amazing safari tents🌅 Lanzarote short winter break in the sun! 🎢 Our trip of a lifetime to Orlando - and how we were able to book it for the cost of a European holiday!Thank you 2025 you have been amazing!#disneymagic #familytravel #familytravels #2025viralvideo #corememory
POV: you romanticised your life this December 🎄 POV: you romanticised your life this December 🎄🩰Experiencing The Nutcracker by the Royal Ballet of Birmingham inside the iconic Royal Albert Hall was pure magic.The atmosphere, the music, the scale — nothing compares ✨It’s running for two more days only, so if you’re thinking about it… this is your sign — get your tickets ASAP 🤍Thank you Bread & Butter PR for the lovely press invite.#NutcrackerSeason #RoyalAlbertHall #BalletNight #LondonDecember #RomanticiseYourLife
Here is one thing you need to do before Christmas! Here is one thing you need to do before Christmas! The other weekend we popped into the @lego store in Brighton and found out all about Build To Give.A very lovely member of the Lego store told us that if we built a Lego heart and posted a picture of our hearts on our socials using #BuildToGive - Lego will donate a Lego set to a child in hospital. How nice is that? So we of course immediately built our hearts! My mum was a nurse in a children’s ward for many years back in the 80s and she always remembers comforting a little boy on Christmas Day who was upset because Santa hadn’t visited him. How lovely of Lego that they have this initiative so all children can feel loved and special! So if you have a spare moment get your Lego out and build a heart to share on your socials with the hashtag #buildtogive #lego
Stocking fillers for kids £30 ⬇️ ad | I’m Stocking fillers for kids £30 ⬇️ad | I’m sharing some fun and affordable stocking filler ideas for kids from Rex London because we’re running out of time until the big day! 💩 Sticky poo sling shot £1.95🪳 Box of cockroaches £2.95👻 Spooky projector torch £6.95🍬 Snap gum trick £1.95🤖 Robot highlighters £2.95🐠 Magic aquarium £3.95🕵️‍♂️ Fingerprint detective kit £3.95 🦎 Lizard toy £4.95📗 A6 nature notebook £1.95Comment ‘stocking fillers’ for links or visit @rexlondonuk What are you putting in your kids stocking fillers this year? #stockingfillers #stockingfillerideas #santagifts #rexlondon
AD Visiting Timanfaya National Park in Lanzarote - AD Visiting Timanfaya National Park in Lanzarote - save for future holiday planning! This might just be the best coach trip I’ve ever been on. You literally get picked up from your hotel and are transported to another world - it feels that way anyway! The volcanic landscape of Lanzarote’s Timanfaya National Park has out of this world vibes, especially on this sunset trip, which operates AFTER all the regular visitors have left for the day. It’s so nice to enjoy the stunning volcanic landscapes after hours on this exclusive trip and it was definitely a plus for us to be able to enjoy the views without such big crowds. It’s not just the views though, we also learnt a lot about the history and geology of the volcanoes on the island and watched the live demos (follow to see my next reel with my son literally starting a fire off the heat of the volcano!). The trip also included a meal in the most unique restaurant I’ve ever been to - with the food cooked from the heat of the BBQ (one for Minecraft fans - feels like your eating Steve’s lava chicken - it was as tasty as hell!We booked it as a press trip through @getyourguide (comment  below if you want a link) and it was definitely one of the highlights of our trip to Lanzarote. I highly recommend adding this experience to your itinerary if you’re planning a visit to Lanzarote.#getyourguide #getyourguidecommunity #pov #TimanfayaNationalPark #lanzarote #traveltiktok
AD | It’s Snowball Dough Ball Day at Pizza Expre AD | It’s Snowball Dough Ball Day at Pizza Express! ❄️🍽️Which basically means… tonight is the perfect night to not cook dinner 😅 Head to your local Pizza Express because Snowball Dough Balls are just £1 today only!The best part? Every £1 goes straight to @_place2be, an incredible charity supporting children’s mental health in schools. With the pressure kids face today — and how fast-paced our lives are — I love any chance for us to slow down, enjoy a meal together, and have real conversations.Here are some of the questions I love asking my son during meals to gently support his wellbeing:1. “What was something that made you feel proud of yourself this week?”Helping kids reflect on their own achievements builds confidence. My son was so excited to tell me he’d been chosen as a playtime leader — and I love hearing him say he’s proud of himself, not just relying on us to say it (even though we definitely do 🙌).2. “Was there anything that felt a bit tricky or confusing at school?”This gives them space to share challenges without pressure — sometimes even small worries feel big.3. “Who did you spend time with today, and how did that feel?”A lovely way to check in on friendships, social dynamics, and how supported they feel at school.✨ Save this post for more conversation starters to use with your kids.🍕 And treat your family tonight — head to your local Pizza Express and grab those £1 Snowball Dough Balls while supporting a brilliant cause!#SnowballDoughBallDay #ILovePizzaExpress #place2be #pizzaexpress
Happy Halloween!!!! (Press Trip) This is why Bord Happy Halloween!!!! (Press Trip)This is why Borde Hill is my favourite place to visit at Halloween! There’s arts and crafts events running across the weekend, a fun Halloween trail with a choice from  amazing books as a prizes at the end (my son chose Captain Underpants comic book), beautiful autumn colours and spooky Halloween decorations. I loved hanging out with my bestie @anna.newnham.1 and we let our boys have fun together whilst we had a good catch up! Thank you @bordehillgarden for another amazing Halloween event. #halloweensussex #halloweeninsussex #octoberhalfterm #thingstodowithkids #thingstodoinsussex #halloweenevents #halliween2025
I cannot believe a spooky skeleton just saved bedt I cannot believe a spooky skeleton just saved bedtime 💀🔥 My 9-year-old thinks it’s the coolest thing ever but it’s also a bedtime miracle— lavender-scented, weighted, and only 45 seconds in the microwave = OUT like a light. Total game changer for us working parents (because let’s be honest, we need our kids to sleep 😂). Spooky + snuggly = bedtime hero. 🖤 Comment ‘warmie’ for link to buy(Previous PR product for my blog)#Warmie #SkeletonWarmie #ParentHack #GameChanger #SleepHelper
AD - Orlando is magical. Until you can’t book a AD - Orlando is magical.Until you can’t book a ride share, can’t load the park map, and can’t check wait times for the rides. You’re already juggling kids, queues, sunscreen and snack stops. So the last thing you need is for your phone to say, no Internet.Picture this...We’re in Orlando. I’m strongly relying on my data for ride reservations, mobile tickets, and rideshare pickups. It’s all digital. Then on the second morning, my phone decided to drop off WI Fi. That’s when I remembered Holafly.You can install your @holafly_esim , a digital SIM card, with just one QR code, in minutes. And there you go. Unlimited, and reliable data for your holidays.I was back online in no time; booking rideshares, rechecking our route, even streaming a Mickey Mouse video for my son whilst we waited.Holafly didn’t just save the day. It saved the mood and it saved the magic because wheneverything runs smoothly behind the scenes, you actually get to enjoy the magic in front of you.That’s why I use Holafly. Because when I’m connected, the whole family stays calm. Holafly. Peace of mind always. It’s so simple.#StayConnectedAbroad #TravelConnected #RoamWithHolafly #SIMplifyYourTravel #TravelWithKids #GlobeTrotterFamily #FamilyAdventuresAbroad #ParentsWhoTravel#ExploreTheWorld #GlobetrottersUnited
📍One magical morning at EPCOT ✨ Swipe to see 📍One magical morning at EPCOT ✨Swipe to see our Memory Maker photos — from just one day!I still can’t believe these magical photos were all taken in one morning at EPCOT — and the best part? We didn’t pay extra for them 🙌We booked our Disney World tickets through AttractionTickets.com, and they included the Memory Maker for free!🎟 What we got through Attraction Tickets:✨ Park Hopper tickets✨ Unlimited Disney PhotoPass downloads✨ Memory Maker INCLUDED in the price✨ Almost instant access to every photo via the My Disney Experience appI was honestly so surprised — there were loads of Disney photographers around the park, barely any queues for them, and they were all so fun and magical. We loved posing for the Magic Shots photos where they add surprise characters like Mirabel, but even more than that, I loved how high-quality, and professional they turned out. In the real world I wouldn’t be able to have access to professional photographers capturing my most special holiday moments! 💫These photos were just from one day at EPCOT — and yes, we still managed to get on loads of rides too 🎢Having this included made the day feel so much more relaxed — we could just focus on making memories 🥹💛📸 Highly recommend booking your Disney World tickets through @attractionticketsdotcom if you’re planning a trip. The extras really do make a difference!—➡️ Swipe through to see the magic ✨➡️ Save this post for when you’re booking your Disney trip➡️ Tag someone you’d take to EPCOT!AD | I was kindly gifted one Disney ticket by Attraction Tickets in exchange for sharing our experience. All opinions are completely my own.#DisneyWorld #EPCOT #MemoryMaker #DisneyPhotoPass #OrlandoDisneyWorld #FamilyTravel #DisneyTips #DisneyWithKids #AttractionTickets #DisneyMoments #WaltDisneyWorld #DisneyPlanning #CoreMemory #Summer2025 #DisneyCarousel #ParkHopper #DisneyMagic #DisneyPhotoDay
First Mickey hugged him. Then he took him to the c First Mickey hugged him.Then he took him to the carousel (see previous videos).But nothing — and I mean nothing — prepared us for what happened next 😂My son actually played rock-paper-scissors with Mickey Mouse… on the carousel at Magic Kingdom in Disney Orlando Florida.And won. A true Disney Magic Moment!Who should he challenge next? 👇👇👇Follow for family travel top tips and more Disney Instagram adventures!@attractionticketsdotcom @visitorlando #DisneylandMoments #OrlandoDisneyWorld #MickeyMouseDisney #DisneyMagic #disneyinstagram #disneyinsta #familytravels
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