Our Kent Family: Trip to SEA LIFE Brighton
With the wives away, it was time to play...with the kids and keep them entertained.
A trip to Brighton seemed an ideal way to while away the hours and have some fun.
But for two dads more used to controlling the mouse on their computers at work than herding four tired children, par for the course for mums everywhere, this sort of adventure is full of pitfalls.
Mistake #1
When I offered to take the day off to look after the kids so that my better half could have a day in London with her best friend, I thought major brownie points were coming my way.
That was my first mistake. While she was genuinely grateful for a day away from the frontline, it turns out it was the least I could do and should really be a more regular occurrence.
Mistake #2
Never describe looking after your kids as babysitting even if you are joking.
This is guaranteed to get you into serious hot water especially when you need the mother of your children to organise clothes, spare clothes, suntan lotion, plasters (more of those later), anti-bacterial hand gel, a towel in case the kids go in the sea, sun hats, sunglasses.
Even writing this list I know I have missed something.
I did manage snacks and drinks. Funnily enough, I know where they are.
Mistake #3
A friend who lives in Brighton tipped us off to a really good council car park that wouldn't break the bank.
Being in two cars, I chose to park in an area with lots of spare spaces so that we could be side by side.
What I hadn't realised, until I had applied the handbrake and started to the get the kids out, was that a couple in the neighbouring car seemed to be getting to know each other rather intimately in the back seat without realising two families would happen upon them.
Having made inadvertent eye contact with the gentlemen through the steamed-up windows and watch him chuck some clothes at his companion, I managed to distract the kids enough that they had no idea what was happening.
Mistake #4
Our arrival in Brighton coincided with lunchtime so satisfying hunger pangs was a priority.
A Subway kids deal seemed like an easy solution...until I presumed without asking my two would prefer Bear Yoyos, one of their favourites, rather than the cookies chosen by their friends. A trap no mum would have walked into.
Success #1
Our main reason for visiting Brighton was to seek out the SEA LIFE centre as it celebrates the release of new Disney film Finding Dory.
The kids loved filling in and collecting stamps for their Dive Log Books and stroking a starfish.
They were enthralled with the ray pool, the big fish and the ocean tunnel with sharks and turtles swimming overhead.
The piranhas were a particular favourite. In fact, days later, I caught the kids telling nanny and grandad all about them.
Mistake #5
After SEA LIFE, we headed to Brighton's beach to throw stones and consume some snacks.
We realised the city's seagulls are fearless, militant and inquisitive when we abandoned the buggy and bags.
Our first indication that our possessions were being rifled through was the frantic waves of some foreign students.
Arriving back, we found two seagulls with their heads in our stuff throwing stickers, snacks and jumpers into the air.
Flailing arms, whoops and the onslaught of four kids almost wasn't enough to persuade them to leave.
Mistake #6
Once we'd demolished ice creams, we decided to take the kids to a playground for swings, climbing frames and slides.
Our error was to mention this plan to the kids before knowing where we were going, as their legs were tiring, their tummies were rumbling and their patience was starting to wear thin.
We walked for ages. We never did find a playground.
Success #2
Harvester was the perfect place to stop and eat before the journey home.
We left Brighton at 7.30pm and our five-year-old son was asleep as we pulled out of the car park.
Our three-year-old made it as we crossed the border into Kent on the M25.
Success #3
The plasters. When one of the five year olds took a tumble while crossing the road at a busy junction, quickly reaching for a plaster averted a potential meltdown and an elongated limp back to the car.
Dads would never think of this stuff. We think it is enough to say sagely: "Oh, you're alright. Let's get going."
Mistake #7
This was the mistake I was careful not to make.
The kids were an absolute pleasure - well-behaved throughout especially on the tired walk back to the car.
On relaying this shocking piece of news to my other half as she arrived back from a day in London, I resisted the temptation to rub it in.
They were bound to be lovely when being treated to a day out.
After all it isn't the same as supermarket shopping, keeping yourself occupied while mum puts the washing on and comes up with something for dinner.
Not even I am that stupid!
They have survived week one of the holidays, read more Our Kent Family adventures by clicking here.
