Sunshine, showers and a toddler with big plans

When I first moved to the UK, I was completely baffled by the British summer. Back home, summer meant predictable sunshine, long days and a steady rise in temperature. Here? One day it's glorious, warm and full of sunshine, and the next, the temperature drops by six or seven degrees, the sky turns grey, and the rain comes pouring down. No two days are ever the same, and that unpredictability has been both a source of frustration and fascination for me.

Now that I have a toddler, summer has taken on a whole new meaning. My little one absolutely loves being outside. The moment the sun peeks through the clouds, he's ready to grab his little tractor cycle and zoom around the neighbourhood. But, of course, British summer doesn't always cooperate with his grand plans. He's not a fan of wind or rain, which, let's be honest, makes living in the UK a bit of a challenge.

The weekend washout

One particular Sunday really drove home just how unpredictable summer can be. My son had been looking forward to playing outside all week, and to make things even more exciting, a friend was coming over. But from the moment we woke up, the rain didn't stop. It was relentless. He kept peering out of the window, hoping for a miracle, but the sky remained stubbornly grey.

It was tough seeing him so disappointed. He just couldn't understand why the weekend, the time he had been looking forward to the most, was turning out to be such a letdown. And honestly, I felt the same way. But then, just when we had resigned ourselves to a day indoors, the rain stopped. For about an hour, the sun made a brief but glorious appearance. We grabbed the kids, dashed outside, and made the most of it. It was a reminder that British summer might be unpredictable, but it does throw in little surprises now and then.

The British summer teaches you to seize the moment, because you never know when the next downpour is coming.

Finding the perfect balance

That weekend made me realise something important – having a space that offers both indoor and outdoor fun is a game-changer. We found a spot with a covered area where the kids could still be outside without getting drenched. They could watch the rain, feel like they were part of nature, but stay dry and happy. It was the perfect compromise.

It also got me thinking about how much we, as adults, can learn from these little moments. Life, much like the British summer, is unpredictable. Things don't always go as planned, and sometimes, you just have to make the best of what you've got. My son might not like the rain, but he's learning to adapt, to find joy in different situations, and to appreciate the little moments of sunshine when they come.

Watching my toddler learn to adapt to the unpredictable British summer has been a lesson in resilience for both of us.

Embracing the unpredictability

As we move through another British summer, I've decided to embrace the unpredictability rather than fight it. We've stocked up on raincoats and wellies, found places that offer both indoor and outdoor fun, and learned to seize the sunny moments whenever they appear. And most importantly, we've learned to laugh at the absurdity of it all – because really, what else can you do when the weather changes five times in a single afternoon?

In the end, British summer is a lot like life. It's full of surprises, ups and downs, and moments that don't always go as planned. But if you learn to adapt, to find joy in the unexpected, and to make the most of every little bit of sunshine, it can be pretty wonderful.