Slow Living in the City with a Toddler

When most people think of slow living, they picture wide open fields, quiet villages, or a cottage tucked away in the countryside. But here we are, a small family, raising our trilingual toddler in the middle of a busy UK city, choosing to live slowly anyway.

Slow living, for me, isn’t about where we are. It’s about how we move through our days and the intention we bring to ordinary moments.

Finding Calm in the Everyday

The city can be loud, crowded, and relentlessly fast-paced. Commuters rush, traffic hums, and life always seems to be demanding the next thing. But children have this wonderful way of pulling us back into the present.

My toddler doesn’t care about rushing to tick things off a to-do list. She wants to stop and notice the dandelions growing through the pavement cracks, or watch a pigeon waddle across the street. At first, I found myself tugging her along, eager to get to the “next thing.” But over time, I’ve learned to join her instead.

That pause, bending down to look at a leaf, following her curiosity, or counting raindrops on a window, that’s slow living, even if buses are zooming past us. It reminds me that presence matters more than productivity.

Creating Simple Rhythms at Home

Our home is where slow living feels most tangible. We keep our days simple: books, songs, drawing, and baking together. Nothing fancy, just everyday moments done with intention.

Home education at this age is gentle, more about connection than curriculum. Our trilingual days flow naturally: French with dad, Vietnamese with me, English through songs and stories. It’s not structured, but it’s mindful and consistent.

I’ve noticed that when we create small family rituals, our days feel calmer. A morning walk, a shared snack, or reading the same story before nap time becomes an anchor. These rhythms don’t just nurture my child; they help me slow down, too.

Seeking Nature in the City

We don’t have a meadow at our doorstep, but we do have parks, community gardens, and tree-lined streets. And we make the most of them. A trip to the park isn’t just “burning off energy”; it’s nature study, language practice, and time together, all rolled into one.

We stop to look at insects on tree bark, gather leaves to press into notebooks, and notice seasonal changes. There are so many ways to keep the kids entertained, such as creating a Scavenger hunt (download a free template here). Slow living with kids doesn’t require acres of land; it’s about noticing the natural world that’s already around us, even in unexpected places.

Choosing Slow Over Perfect

Slow living in a city with a toddler isn’t about achieving some picture-perfect lifestyle. It’s about small choices: walking instead of driving when we can, cooking simple meals together, and saying no to overscheduling. Some days are messier than others, and slow doesn’t always mean easy.

But there’s freedom in letting go of perfection. Sometimes our bread doesn’t rise, sometimes the park visit ends in tears, sometimes bedtime stretches longer than I’d like. But these are still slow moments, because we’re living them together without rushing past.

Why Slow Living Matters for Families

For me, slow living is about giving my child the gift of presence. It means showing her that she doesn’t need constant entertainment, endless activities, or a perfectly curated lifestyle. What matters most is connection: laughter over messy crafts, unhurried bedtime stories, and being present in the moment.

The truth is: slow living isn’t about the place. It’s about the pace. And even in the middle of the city, with buses honking outside and a toddler by my side, it’s absolutely possible.