Three tips for maximizing your summer in Lagos with kids
Summer in Lagos with kids can be amazing
To all the parents facing summer ahead, both with excitement and trepidation, I sympathize with you. I am in the same boat, every year. I remember summers before kids; I loved the long beach days with nothing to worry about but where I wanted to go for dinner. Those days are gone, at least for now. Summer heat causing cranky kids and scrambling to find snacks (and shade) are all part of the new routine.
So for anyone living in (or visiting) Lagos this year, I share with you three simple tips that help me stay cool (and sane), allowing more moments of joy during these hot days ahead.
Pack lightly. When I was a new mom, I always carried around too much stuff “just in case”. This caused me anxiety beforehand and resentment during days of logistical stress (lugging huge bags to the beach with small kids in tow). My advice to those starting out with travel and summer beach days with babes: bring less. You can always get what you need, should you find yourself lacking. If visiting Lagos from afar, check the family business Coastal Quip for baby equipment you might need during your stay. And if you need any last minute summer items for your little one (like a sun hat or a UV-shirt for strong sun) you can head in to our shop, Arco Preloved, in Lagos.
Avoid peak heat. For me, the hardest part about summer is not dealing with sun burns, it's the exhaustion (and cranky kids) caused by the heat. Find shade in the middle of the day at places like Kinoah in Luz (a gorgeous pool with shaded areas and healthy cafe, run by an Arco mama), Casbahs Restaurant and Pool with Moroccan cuisine and a gorgeous semi-shaded garden with pool area you can enjoy, or simply stay indoors and nap during the middle of the day (followed by a cold shower!).
Nourish yourself. We are better parents when we are not running on empty tanks. Make sure you eat properly, mamas and papas, to have the energy (and calm) to handle the summer days ahead! Some family-friendly and delicious spots I recommend with my kids include Everyday People Cafe (with super friendly staff and free babychinos for the little ones,) O Lamberto for fresh, classic Portuguese fish in a relaxed setting, Sunrays Kitchen (offering healthy options that kids enjoy and trees for them to climb while you sip on a kombucha in the shade,) and Pomodor Pizzeria for a summer dinner with kids, serving super fresh, authentic pizza. A bonus is the big space next to the restaurant´s outdoor seating area, where kids can roam around while the parents enjoy their pizza in relative peace.
Enjoy your summer ahead, mamas and papas!