Knowing what I know about this amazing place now, it will definitely be a place we meet up with friends and relatives of all generations. Its location (on the Kent/Surrey/Sussex borders) means that it’s a perfect “let’s meet up there, it’s half way between all of us” spot. And frankly the coffee was so good I’d be tempted just to go there for that…

Godstone Farm - what an absolutely amazing day out! We have been coming here since both children were babies: we’ve always loved the family feel (it was set up forty years ago by a wonderful family), the sheer space of the place (other places can feel a bit claustrophobic), the variety of things to do and the friendliness of the staff. It was an absolute delight therefore to host a #gifted birthday party for my daughter’s fifth birthday there in July. In this blog I’m going to give you as much info as possible about all the things to do there, and why this amazing venue is great for the whole family.

Here’s where I’m cross that I didn’t take a photo. Essentially get the round 9” cake, and then get a glass with a diameter approx that you’d get at the opening of a pint glass. Push the opening of said glass through the middle of the cake, so you should end up with a circle with a hole in it! Then cut a quarter of the circle out . Then cut a third off the loaf cake and assemble as per my rather wonderful clip art…

I don’t know about your kids, but in the “top 5 things we love to do” list soft play, steam trains, playgrounds, running around (in gardens), eating ice cream and playing games as a family would definitely feature! From the Pecorama website we really didn’t know what to expect much beyond the steam train, but my word this is the most AMAZING PLACE EVER!

It was clear to us as soon as we arrived that there was a real mix of locals walking their dogs (there were a lot of very well-behaved, on the lead dogs), parents with pre-schoolers (you can go to the cafe independently of visiting the House and Gardens - I know if I was a local I would be here with the mini-POMs a lot getting my coffee and cake fix - more on that later), retired people, passionate gardeners and tourists like us on a day out!

I’m also the Mum who misses her children with a pain that crushes her chest.  I have the very best husband who could possibly exist and hate the patronising question “who’s looking after the children”? He’s not a superhero, he’s a DAD.  And he is awesome at being a Dad. As good as any Mum. Certainly as good as I ever could be.

I need my children to learn

that the place where I made them

Have you ever heard of a Women’s Health physio? “A what?” I hear you say. So Women’s Health physios are experts in pelvic health and we can provide you with that detailed assessment postnatally. Enter the Mummy MOT - the six week check you dreamed of!

Shortly after, we found ourselves sitting in the room. the room was a little white ‘Counselling Room’. I had walked past it on several occasions during this pregnancy and each time it had made me go cold. In the little room they gave me a tissue and a glass of water. Loss of brain function was mentioned, specialists were mentioned, unknown outcome…

So about my day, it generally starts with an early morning wake up call from my favourite little person whispering in my ear “is it 6 yet Mummy!!” The next 45 minutes generally are spent running around breakfast, teeth, packing school bags and asking 100 times for school shoes to be put on. I’m sure you can all relate to this part of the day! Once school drop off is done my 2nd job starts. 

You clutch your dimpled arms around my neck

The gossamer smoothness of your skin, as

unblemished as your sunny soul

My typical day varies so much. I have an eleven month old and a four year old who is in reception so I cram as much as I can in between baby groups and school pick up. After school I stop working until the kids are in bed.

Bar the washing up and dusting I love all the elements of my days. I find joy in playing and getting to spend so much time with my daughter, I love and enjoy my work, I find great satisfaction in a hover and I find peace, calm and joy getting out of the house for a dog walk.

I started to realise that prioritising tiny acts of kindness to myself through the day might actually help me. I started to realise that the more self-care I gave myself the nicer a person I was to my family. I started to realise that the more self-car I gave myself the more I encouraged it in my clients. I started to realise the more I looked after myself the more I’d make rapid gains in my business.

In the last few years however, I’ve noticed that I can be somewhat chameleon-like in my relationships: in order to keep everyone happy, I can chop and change so that everything is harmonious. I can be fabulous, noisy, quiet, hysterical, silly, empathetic, whatever that person needs to make them feel their best. This is a great quality to have as a coach: it’s not always ideal for my own relationships.

The Gin Fund Squad offer so much more than just swapping kid tat: I knew this was somewhere I could share my concerns and thoughts about parenting without judgement.