When my first child was beginning to talk, walk (I mean run), and explore - I found that finding interesting places to go that we can both enjoy together were few and far between.  I became increasingly bothered by the fact that everywhere we went, WE had to fit in to the surroundings. Places for kids meant that you had to compromise healthy food and your sanity. Places for adults meant you'd be stressing about how much of a scene you were making.  We would find classes at various places around town but there was nothing to do before or after.  Not much time to socialize with other moms who were experiencing the exact same things. I wanted a place where we automatically fit, and that fit our needs.  Somewhere that I would want to hang out, meet other parents, have quality time with my child and maybe tick a couple things off my to-do list at the same time.  Somewhere that wasn't 'sticky' or filled with primary colors, a place I could confidently go and not leave with pink eye.

I also started thinking about parenthood and what it means these days.  If you are staying home, you have to justify the financial choice.  Be the perfect mom or dad, manage the house, etc.  If you work part-time, like I did after staying home for a year, you are always feeling like you are failing at both being a good parent and work.  If you work full-time, you constantly deal with the guilty feeling that you are not spending enough time with your child.  Lost in this balancing act is who you were before kids, and who you are now.  Often reconciling both requires a little re-defining of what productivity and success really are for you, the time to sort it out, and the support of knowing you are not alone.

The first priority of piccadilly is recognizing that being a mom or a dad is only one of your titles.  It makes up part of who you are.  We want to provide a space for you to just be, a space that fulfills your needs.  That could mean very different things at any moment of the day - you might need quality time with your kids or your own quiet time; to sit down and pay bills or get a manicure, or how about having an actual conversation with a grown up?  We'll be there with the tools you need to make it happen.  You and your child should leave piccadilly feeling satisfied and energized. Here's to a 'productive dilly-dally'! 

Enjoy!

Piccadilly Circus is a road junction in London that brings five roadways and a tube station together (circus, for circle in the center of the junction).  What better way to describe our mission at piccadilly?  We hope to be the place where all the chaotic aspects of our lives can come together and make sense.  Even if its just for an afternoon.  We get it.  We're parents too.

On a lighter note, I've always used the term dilly-dallying when it comes to my kids and me.  Sometimes it seems like we are wandering through the day to find the next activity.  I've learned you can have a successful dilly-dally.  Just need to know what you need and where to get it!