
Justin is a London based dad of three. As well as being a content creator, he's also interested in all things tech, law, software engineering, and photography related, and likes to cycle in his free time.

Through his content, Justin aims to show the true reality of personal parenting alongside fun activity recommendations to do as a family. He focuses a lot on sustainability as his family tries to live in an environmentally conscious way.

Follow him [on Instagram](https://instagram.com/alldadstalk).


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Dad, blogger, lawyer

Justin


If you’re still shopping for your kid’s Christmas gift, here’s a review that might help you decide easier, without having to undergo endless trips to the overcrowded Disney shops and way too busy malls.

It was rather easy for us to decide on a gift for our toddler as he had continuously been asking for a pair of pedals to attach to his little balance bike. As if that’s the right solution to start peddling! But transitioning a toddler to a pedal bike can be a bit challenging, therefore for the past couple of months I went through an entire process of researching and testing the best available options. We went to a few bike shops and tried on several bikes, but I’ve also spent a few good hours each week in the online shopping world reading thousands of reviews and hoping to find the one that clicks. And then I found it: one bike they said it grows with your child.

![littlebig bikes](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611944526/5_C3_C19_CF_6273_452_D_AA_33_4_F9_E8_B493_F64_baa2efba65.jpg)

As intrigued as I was, I started checking out feedback from people who already purchased one. But despite of being a young company, lots of happy parents’ praising words pushed me to make contact.

![littlebig bikes](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611944645/55_ACCCA_8_1_EC_0_4_DD_9_807_B_10_CEE_584_F954_165ad05aa1.jpg)

Simon Evans of Irish company LittleBig Bikes is an engineer and cycling enthusiast who developed a great concept of a balance bike designed to grow with your child after spending time working in a bike shop. Here he observed how parents always came back getting a new bike each time for different ages.

![littlebig bikes](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611944654/451_BE_870_D534_4_EFF_ACDE_094943_AEFFFA_c2ead81eb6.jpg)

My other half Aly [@allmumstalk](http://allmumstalk.com/product-reviews/ride-with-them/) already wrote a reviewing piece on the same bike (we are that thrilled about it!) and mentioned that our toddler’s first balance bike was a good start, yet the lack of inflatable wheels made the ride uncomfortable once he was really confident in gaining speed. The LittleBig new bike came with proper air tyres and that’s only one of the main reasons I wish I knew about from the beginning. It also took me less than 20 minutes to put it together while I have to say it’s rather easy to change it from balance mode to pedals.

![littlebig bikes](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611944645/55_ACCCA_8_1_EC_0_4_DD_9_807_B_10_CEE_584_F954_165ad05aa1.jpg)

The bikes are designed & hand assembled in Ireland and they come with a sleek design and a great price attached if you consider the approximate 5 years investment. Therefore, that’s my number one choice for a Christmas present if you haven’t covered the bike chapter yet. It’s one way to make the tiny humans’ confidence grow while they become more independent and eventually, in my case, better riders than their own dad…

![littlebig bikes](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611944516/0_AE_19_A70_D246_49_FE_B0_A1_11229011513_D_11d3225074.jpg)

Next pit stop: Christmas tree shopping!

![littlebig bikes](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611944645/52_D42_C00_6059_42_D4_955_E_1_FC_10_C65_F783_d29e1116bf.jpg)


If you’re still shopping for your kid’s Christmas gift, here’s a review...

It’s beginning to look a lot like... LittleBig Bikes


I’m not sure I’ve shared much about my busy lifestyle and (according to my wife boring) work as a Finance lawyer, unless you’ve been following my journey as a working dad on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/alldadstalk/). You’d know then that as soon as I escape the intense board meetings or way-too-long conference calls and my need-more-colour office walls (no matter how cool my view there on the 21st floor is) I rush back home to a fireball 3 year toddler, a third trimester bun in the oven and my cravings fighter wife. I often wonder if they really miss spending their evenings with me or if they miss my exceptional cooking skills more.

![hello-fresh](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611944968/IMG_4787_79113d8e58.jpg)

My better half and I have a verbal agreement in place (binding under the laws of England & Wales) I’m proud to say I haven’t broken (yet): twice a week dinner is on me – and the very strict contract conditions are: it must NOT be take away as that’s considered cheating, but a genuine fresh home cooked treat which must start at a decent hour so the toddler could also get involved in the cooking process.

As I’m rather proud of my Latin origin, I tend to embrace Mediterranean cuisine quite often. No matter how relaxing and fun cooking usually is for me after a long day at the office, I’m constantly on the lookout for inspiration: I’ve been told king prawn linguine (my signature dish) is not the ideal dinner serving twice a week, hence I should work harder on my recipe variety.

![hello-fresh](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611946217/IMG_4789_6d0d0b8c09.jpg)

That’s why I got excited when I was asked to try the newest tool [HelloFresh](https://www.hellofresh.co.uk/tasty/) has recently created, the [Flavour Generator](http://blog.hellofresh.co.uk/flavour-generator/). Lucky me, this week I’ve had the chance to have a little play with it. It’s meant to help anyone discover new and exciting recipes based on favourite cuisines and tastes.

I know we are all busy individuals with long working hours and tiny humans waiting for us at home, but this takes pretty much 10 seconds and you could then be on your way home, stopping by corner shop getting all the ingredients you need, so that’s your shopping list simplified!

![hello-fresh](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611946217/IMG_4788_27736f2f62.jpg)

That’s exactly what I did this week, I aimed for Italian food with a spicy touch, HelloFresh generated my flavour and I got a brilliant recipe. I went with the [pan fried sea bass with golden saffron mash, piquant chorizo salsa and sugar snap peas](https://www.hellofresh.co.uk/recipes/pan-fried-sea-bass-wk20-premium-58fa2005171c586db0457983?utm_campaign=flavourgen). It was the very first option I was offered and the one that I eventually chose (it’s like they’re reading your mind!), but you can play around with flavours depending on your cravings and choose from various recipes.

![hello-fresh](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611944967/IMG_4785_7c67339b3e.jpg)

We tried Hello Fresh recipe boxes several times before, however that was to some extent a convenience exercise. This time round, HelloFresh’s mission is to make meal planning simple, dinners exciting, varied and foremost delicious and I think they’ve done a pretty good job once more.

Happy the toddler joined in and helped us with this 30 minute straightforward recipe. It was fun following 6 easy steps and the result was even better than my clumsy plate presentation. the following gallery speaks for itself…

Follow HelloFresh on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/hellofreshuk/) for more cooking ideas. Surprise your better half with a creative freshly cooked meal 😉


I’m not sure I’ve shared much about my busy lifestyle and - according to my wife...

Dads in the Kitchen - the Hello Fresh Flavour Generator


> WE HAVE SO MUCH TIME AND SO LITTLE TO DO. STRIKE THAT, REVERSE IT!

Trying to remember who said that, yet, gosh, don’t you feel this way when you watch a child turning into a completely different one with the passing years? As owner of a three year old toddler, it feels we had been having several different children in one every time we go down the memory lane and dare to touch the photo albums and phone folders. From sweet babyhood to the terrible two (which were terrible indeed, we’re both still trying to recover!) and now going through the threenager’s stage, I can honestly confess I’ve personally had to make huge efforts to embrace the harsh tantrums and white nights. But it’s all worth it when you remind yourself to freeze time and watch them go…

![daniel-wellington](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611947551/img_1648_b3b80f778d.jpg)

Here’s a timeless Daniel Wellington piece, my daily reminder to slow down, enjoy the ride and spend more time with the ones that count. I’ve partnered up with this cool brand to offer our readers a brilliant discount of 15% off everything on the website by using the code ALLDADSTALK15 (valid until the 15th of July 2017). In my 20s I’ve been a watch collector and constant researcher because let’s be honest, there’s very little accessorising men can play with. Except for my wedding band I got in my early 30s, there’s nothing much I could use to compliment an outfit (not a huge fan of bracelets or rings) so a good watch will always do the trick.

![daniel-wellington](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611944955/img_1645_d3b35f6b4a.jpg)

I chose to feature a Daniel Wellington watch because legend says they aren’t released until they are completely perfect (in true Scandinavian style). The brand prides itself on being fashion forward and innovative, yet simplicity seems to be the focus and this is where they got me engaged. From colourful to leather straps, there’s plenty of options for you to choose from (founded in and operating from Sweden, within three years Daniel Wellington managed to get selling watches across 144 countries and all continents). I have partnered with Daniel Wellington in order for our readers to get a cheeky 15% discount on their timeless timepieces. It’s so simple, just enter the code ALLDADSTALK15 when you buy your chosen watch to receive 15% off the price.

![daniel-wellington](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611944955/img_1646_f52a853978.jpg)

The harder part of the whole process will be deciding which one to get. So which one is yours?

![daniel-wellington](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611944951/img_1638_61dd260b13.jpg)

Follow Daniel Wellington on Instagram for more styles.


We have so much time and so little to do ... wait, strike that, reverse it...

Timing Childhood - a Daniel Wellington watch review


> LET’S BE HONEST – FOR ALL THE INNOVATION OF THE INTERNET AGE, PARENTING IS STILL ONE OF THE TOUGHEST GIGS AROUND - says [Bubble](http://joinbubble.com/we-are-bubble/) and I can’t agree more.

As a new and first time dad, I’ve learnt the hard way that the life of a parent is mainly organised chaos (if you’re lucky enough to learn how to organise it!). I’ve also learnt that one should not miss the spontaneity of the right moment to unwind and take it all in: the noise, the sore muscle, the eye circle, the tantrum, the cuddle, the first tooth. The white nights...

![babysitting-bubble-004.jpg](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611946284/toys_1903273_1280_51da1e8cc7.jpg)

But as a young couple sharing a tiny human, we have been both struggling to find out how to make time for each other and most importantly, how to make the most of each other, because truth being told, we have also been discovering the heavy weight of ‘now’ in parenthood and the dangers of procrastinating the ‘us only time’! Of course, the child is now part of a heavily altered routine and more steam, focussed attention and even (here goes the cheesiness!) our full hearts and souls are now much needed to be shared. Our bodies too – because rocking a baby to sleep for over two hours numbs your arms (and will power), and those ribs that suffer massively during cosleeping with a drunk octopus called A TODDLER, are getting tired (stole the comparison from AllMumsTalk, shhh).

![babysitting-bubble](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611944788/characters_1853286_1280_b868403794.jpg)

Nevertheless dating was never easy for us, even before parenthood took over, we both had a tendency of over working and starting several projects on our own, so adding a baby to the equation was indeed ... rather brave. I started on the wrong foot by missing all her doctor’s appointments and scans during pregnancy, forget about scary antenatal appointments talking dad’s role and birth support – I didn’t even know I had to have an opinion on how a baby should be, well, delivered into the world! I was instead coming home late and she was sleeping, mornings were hectic, arguments and frustrations were at their peak. We had blamed it on our lack of parenthood knowledge and different, higher expectations; the new arrival was becoming increasingly overwhelming, and still it was a wakeup call – THE wake up call, one that we clearly heard after his first birthday when we understood life is more than sharing parental duties, more than work, commuting, or scheduling weekend trips well in advance and pretty much everything else we knew before. It was high time we started dating like all parents should: more often, less planning, more action.

![babysitting-bubble](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611944785/cat_woman_1115933_960_720_dd7df7518f.jpg)

Do or do not, there is no try – keeping Yoda’s wisdom in mind is rather a clever way to remind ourselves we need to disconnect, recharge batteries and keep the couple’s sparkle on. Aiming for a good night out and long uninterrupted adult conversations may not be enough, but it’s now pretty much on our weekly list. We sometimes fail at catching up with each other because of glorious nursery bugs that the toddler is generously sharing with all of us (grand perks of parenthood), but most often we make it happen. Living in London, far away from both our families means we are constantly finding ourselves stuck to a tricky routine ruled by our worries around a child, while we tend to make excuses not to make dating any easier. But that’s not what Yoda would do ... So date or date not, there is no try; when excuses start building up, pick up the phone looking for help – nothing wrong in sourcing a friend or a trusted professional sitter to come and save the day ... or date!

![babysitting-bubble](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611946282/star_wars_1176168_1280_2c7b073e7d.jpg)

This article has been published in partnership with Bubble, you can download the brilliant app [here](http://joinbubble.com/). The app connects parents and sitters to each other via mutual friends and contacts. This allows parents to tap into the trusted sitters their friends already know and use. Bubble is mainly London-centric at the moment, but it will be rolling out to the rest of the UK soon, so watch this space!

![justin-and-lucas-in-the-air](/images/justin-and-lucas-in-the-air.webp)

Both I, here at AllDadsTalk, and [Bubble](http://joinbubble.com/) team would love to hear how you manage to find time with your other half. Share your stories on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #datelikeaparent. Read more reviews and engage with other users on Bubble’s [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/bubble.babysitting/?hc_ref=SEARCH&fref=nf) page. We’ll share all of your posts!


As a new and first time dad, I’ve learnt the hard way that the life of a parent is mainly...

Date or date not, there is no try


What we unmistakably learn while becoming mature adults is that parenthood is an un-smooth, unrehearsed and, quite often, a pretty unplanned game changer. Well, at least this is what the latest two years of fatherhood have managed to teach me. The pressure is even harsher as the new addition requires not only constant energy and pretty much all your bank resources, but the most invaluable tribute of them all: time.

![nursing-mum](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611946217/IMG_5527_f3da0f74cd.jpg)

Thanks God I’m part of a strong team where SHE is the influence, the inspiration and spark we rely on as I am not utterly sure I could manage all this fun that comes with these 10 perfectly shaped wee fingers and toes. Here are the things that amaze me day after day when she’s around but never got to say out loud…

![nursing-mum](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611944965/IMG_1746_1_5b64399dcd.jpg)

1. HUNGRY? TEETHING PAIN? THERE’S A BOOB FOR THAT.

I think my better half is stronger than she looks. Oh, but she is! Three reasons she may be the toughest cookie in this house: sore nipples (I can’t imagine we, men, could live with this, only the thought of it makes me brrrr shiver!); having to fix tantrum after tantrum after tantrum after tantrum after tantrum 24/7 (well, I could but not without three pints of lager) and managing the longest whitest nights nursing, changing, nursing, nursing, nursing; this kid is definitely having the longest meals in the history of parenthood. She does somehow survive them all.

![nursing-mum](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611944963/IMG_1738_01768a6274.jpg)

2. SHE’S A MAGIC POTIONS WIZARD.

What’s my superpower? Seemingly, making milk is not equal to men’s ability to successfully fixing broken things around the house, even changing risky nappies or free falling from outer space at Mach 1. In men’s world these must count as superpowers, but not in mothers’. I got to learn that nor does solving this quadratic equation equals their efforts of upbringing our children…

![nursing-mum](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611944959/IMG_1731_439ad79646.jpg)

3. I CAN STILL SLEEP LIKE A BABY.

She can’t. And I do feel guilt about it. She may be able to create and support life, but she can’t make a the toddler sleep at 4am. She lullabies for hours, nights, then years, grumbling about her eye circles and constant baby brain, but she kindly manages to spare me on most nights so I don’t get any of her vibes of zombie-ness at work with me.

![nursing-mum](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611944949/IMG_0869_1710e3e918.jpg)

4. I ENVY HER.

Sometimes. All the time (except for those endless night shifts). But I do envy her like I never envied anyone. For all those winks when she holds on tight that tiny creature and all those times he gazes deeply into her tired eyes while softly nursing as if there’s no one else on planet Earth but them two alone.

![nursing-mum](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611944959/IMG_1701_8f4385698c.jpg)

5. SHE’S STILL THE BREAKFAST QUEEN

She’s still cooking it. Single handed most often. While I’m dragging myself away from the warmth of my king sized bed, right before slamming the front door ungratefully because I know I have to adult again in an office full of people on the go. Today she won’t be strangled by a bright expensive tie, she won’t attend late meetings, yet fighting stains of beetroot purée on her old designer shirt (now half pjs) which had recently been sacrificed in the name of motherhood sound like a lot of fun. I have breakfast, I go to work, but she gets her breakfast in the afternoon…

![nursing-mum](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611944960/IMG_1735_5d5fc5fd1e.jpg)

Ergo she’s "thy goddess".


What we unmistakably learn while becoming mature adults is that parenthood is...

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