The music on the show is the perfect antidote for stressed out parents who just need to switch off for an hour, the first half hour is sun-kissed beats followed by relaxing classics and modern day hits. Plus, if you have a little baby then even better, great songs for them to fall asleep to.

Michelle Horn who presents the show also sounds great, as she has that laid back style that just makes you feel chilled out.

I have to admit I just sat back, read the paper and had lunch. I know you can’t do this every day but do remember it if you need to chill out during the day.

I highly recommend it!

The MID DAY CHILL, live every weekday from 12pm (UK time). x

I haven’t told the husband yet but the £2.99 bottle has gone - literally down the drain! She actually cleaned the shower more than she cleaned herself.

The husband wants to get her a shower cap now so we don’t have to wash her hair everytime she goes in there. Can’t see that going down too well to be honest!

I had to take her for her school booster last week. I was dreading it. Do you tell her why she’s going to the Doctor’s or do you just keep quiet?

She went in to see the nurse and she seemed to grasp what was going on. She had one needle but then she had to have another. She was holding on to me and saying “No Mummy, I don’t want it again”.

I felt awful - you naturally want to stop your child from being in any pain. I suppose in the long run that is exactly what I’m doing - it’ll protect her from contracting the severe form of measles further down the line. It was heartbreaking though!

She said to the nurse “I don’t want to see you again, I want to see the man.” She normally sees a male GP!

She had some sweets though and seemed to forget about it after that.

Anyway, on another note - if like me you are struggling wth your finances. We have a great interview coming up. I’m going to be speaking to Christopher Smart from ParentGuidetoMoney. Chris has three young daughters and knows how hard it can be financially. He’ll be on air on Monday 13th July from 11am. Can you afford not to listen?

She is really going through a stubborn stage. One minute she wants complete independence - “Don’t come with me to the toilet Mummy.”

The next minute she’s telling me to sit next to her on the sofa or throwing her arms up towards me “I need you Mummy, I want you”.

It is also taking us absolutely ages to get anything done. I ask her to do something and she just ignores me! Very frustrating.

Is this what having a teenager is like? Probably not, I’m sure that’s a million times worse!

You are constantly tested as a parent aren’t you and the boundaries get moved around all of the time. Did anyone ever suggest that parenting was easy?

They always seem to misbehave when you are at your most tired too! Do you think they see a gap in your armour and go for it!

A mother’s work is never done.

To top it off I am also on the daughter’s playschool committee - I can see why some Mums don’t want to get involved. Sometimes I feel like I am in the United Nations.

One person thinks we should do this, another thinks we should do that, a decision is finally made and then when we all go home, texts go round from the Chair saying that she’s changed her mind!! AAAHHH. Hardly democratic.

I used to complain that Mums should make more of an effort to get involved - I can see now why they may have second thoughts. Still worth it though!

Now wouldn’ t you think one of the numerous people I have passed today would’ve told me. I’ve been to school, in shops, in work and I only discovered them when my head started to itch.

I’m also wearing clothes that I’ve had for about four years - definitely pre-pregnancy, in fact the wrap around dress I am wearing is being held together by a brooch as my boobs have definitely gone up a size.

Help is at hand though because I’ve been talking to Samantha Chapman. She is a make up-artist and she’s become a bit of a star on You Tube.

She has some tips on making us hassled Mums beautiful! Apparently though the majority of us want to know how to look like Audrey Hepburn or Sophia Lauren. I can see the appeal - not least because Sophia was not known for her stick thin figure! Although not fat I’d have more chance of looking like her than Posh Spice!

Listen to Samantha on My Baby Radio on Friday 22 May between 4-5pm.

I’ve watched their progamme a couple of times and she can seem as common as muck but I do like him and they both seem to be caring parents. They are both marvellous with Harvey who has disabilities.

It’s a shame for the kids but if they’re not getting on maybe it’s for the best.

Their little boy Junior is quite funny at times. It’s sad when any relationship breaks down but if it’s not right it’s not right.

One relationship I wish would break down is that of the daughter and her friend Annie.

I’ve mentioned before that the daughter has an imaginary friend called Annie. She is still around and driving us mad - well me actually. She’s very naughty is Annie!

The daughter swore at the dinner table. We were all sat chatting and we heard “ohhh bloody hell”. I told her not to swear and she said “I’m just telling you what Annie said”.

Then she ran off, she was told off again and she replied “Annie told me to run”.

If this carries on I’ll have to take her to see a child psychologist!

I explained that Annie is naughty and I’ll have to stop the daughter from playing with her. She thought it over and said “Annie’s Mummy has been to see me and she says she’s not naughty all of the time”.

Then this morning she said “Mummy, I haven’t said bloody hell today”.

I am despairing! My friend told me to start telling Annie off too.

Can you imagine - having to march this imaginary being into a corner to have time out!

Anyone have any suggestions?

The daughter is so bossy too. I was talking to our neighbour yesterday and the daughter said, pointing at our house “Mummy you live in here not there”.

That’s me told!

The husband discovered them yesterday morning. It’s the first time she’s ever had them. Do you think I should add this information into her Baby Book?

Is it the type of thing you mark for prosperity?

The poor little mite - no pun intended. She couldn’t go to playschool as they were found around 8.30 and the head lice lotion had to be applied and left on for eight hours.

The husband only found one live one but eight hours later there were a few corpses - I am typing away itching my head as we speak - it makes you feel so unclean!

We’ve been like a family of monkeys, looking through each others hair.

The husband said I don’t have nits but I do have dandruff - thanks!

We’ve stripped the bed - although someone told me they can’t live on clothing - we weren’t taking any chances.

I’ve been and bought a metal nit brush too - it’s really good. When your child has head lice you are a marketers dream!

I went and told the staff at playschool - hopefully they’ll put a letter out now so the other Mums can make sure their kids don’t get it too.

It’s a minefield though. So Mums say don’t treat with chemicals and other say use vinegar! Aaahhh. 

Ohhh - I’m off for another scratch!

We had a wonderful day and the daughter was really good in church, one of the children could be heard loudly in church asking for a wee. Bless him!

The kids were so well behaved and they had a fantastic time. There was a massive garden behind the venue and they were all outside running around and playing football. The brother managed to rip the sole off his shoe - I don’t think you are supposed to play football in them!

More importantly - none of the children were ill and the daughter did not succumb to chicken pox! If she gets it now we’ll just have to get on with it.

The husband is looking at the pictures as I type. It’s great that you can digitally enhance them but the husband tends to go a bit mad. If you have grey eyes you suddenly have sparkling blue ones and we all have teeth like Simon Cowell. Not very natural!

My little brother has gone off to Italy on his honeymoon with his lovely new wife - I hope the weather is nice and they have a fab time.

Congratulations Mr and Mrs Hughes! 

The daughter is excited about being a flowergirl - or Princess as she likes to call herself!

I’m in a panic though as chickenpox is doing the rounds. It’s bound to be the case that she’ll erupt in spots between now and Saturday and I don’t think polka dots will go with the spring theme. Nothing I can do though. Although she will be gutted if she’s unable to go.

I went to see the pharmacist and they just advised getting calpol in and calomine lotion. I know a friend suggested lavender in the bath and my Nan swears by salt baths! Anyone else have any ideas?

Sometimes the older remedies are the best. Although you’d have to be brave to try out some of my Nan’s lotions and potions.

She swears blind that goose greese saved my Mum from certain death as a tot. Apparently she had a terrible chest, hadn’t eaten for days blah, blah, blah…..but one spoon of goose greese and she was saved. She was sick and right from that day forth she was fine. Well, apart from the wonky eye which my Nan attributes to the cough and fever!

I know that my brother, cousins and me all had goose greese at one time or another - no wonder I am now a vegetarian!

She also swears by fresh air and always wearing a vest - at least until the end of May! There must be something in it though - she’s a fit and healthy 82-year-old!

Well known author Liz Fraser thinks her Granny knows best too - in fact she’s written a book about that very issue! Listen to our interview with Liz and hear some of her granny’s pearls of wisdom.

The drive over to their house took over two hours and was a bit fraught as the daughter had car sickness - she has had it before but not lately. I did have spare clothes but she was sick on these too so I had to pull over, find a clothes shop and buy her a new top and trousers.

Poor little love and quite frustrating for me as I’d put her in a lovely outfit to go over there!

My friend seems to be a natural Mum and she’s doing brilliantly. She is so laid back and the breastfeeding is going brilliantly too.

I can’t believe how calm she is actually. I was a tired wreck two weeks in - she looks totally fresh faced and says she isn’t tired at all.

I suppose it just goes to show that all babies and Mums are different!

The little girl is gorgeous and so peaceful - you forget just how tiny they are. She’s over 10lb now but she still looks really small to me. The daughter looked like a giant in comparison!

For any Mums who are struggling out there, I have a brilliant interview for you on Friday. I’m speaking to Sasha Miller, Editor at Babycentre.co.uk. She’s with us between 10-11am and 5-6pm on Good Friday with advice about everything to do with a newborn baby!

We went into a club which I did enjoy as they played 80s music but it made me realise that my clubbing days are over - it’s too late a night. When you’ve had sleepless nights with a newborn and know how it feels to see 3am - I don’t want to see it again - under any circumstances!

When you go out with a group of younger girls who don’t have kids you realise just how much of your time your own take up!

They were excited at make-up and cheap shoes - I couldn’t believe it when I saw sale signs on childrens clothes! Oh well - there time will come and maybe it will have gone full circle and I’ll be going out - although wouldn’t want to be mutton dressed as lamb!

We did have a lovely time in Cloud 23 inside The Hilton in Manchester. The view from there is amazing! We ordered Cocktails - I had a Cosmopolitan, just like Sarah Jessica! Well, if I don’t look like her I can try and drink like her!

It was so lovely to come home too and see my little girl with her Daddy. He is so good with her and they had a great weekend. He even took her to her dance class - how good is he!

My friend was an absolute trooper and sounds as though she had a very, very tough labour. Well Done girl and welcome to the club. I can’t wait to see her!

By the way - the Chinese lunar calendar here at My Baby Radio was right - it predicted a girl!

MANY, MANY CONGRATULATIONS!

I’m quite excited. She’s one of the few these days who doesn’t know if it’s going to be a boy or a girl. I’m saying girl, she’s guessing boy. Think we’ll soon find out who’s right!

Bless her, the daughter is three now but I remember when I went into labour - also very slow and I was in denial! I actually told the husband that we should have an early night but ten minutes later I was jumping up with cramps.

It was the sister-in-law who finally said maybe the baby was on the way. Up until that point I’d blocked it out.

My friend wants her waters to break as at least then she’ll know to go in. Mine didn’t though, not until the baby was very nearly born.

I told her if she keeps rushing to the loo for a poo - get to hospital, you are pushing! That’s a giveaway as well as sounding like a cow mooing!

Anyway, GOOD LUCK. Will let you know what she has - bet baby will be born today!

I know it’s not for everyone…some Mums don’t feel the need to go and that’s fine but I think they can be a lifeline for mothers.

They’re great for the babies too - I always found my little girl much more manageable when other children were around. They are so interested in each other and they really engage - which is amazing considering their communication skills are so minor!

I always find my spirits are lifted when ever I attend such groups. It’s nice to know that you’re not the only one struggling with sleepless nights, weaning issues, fighting, spitting, answering back - the list goes on!

Don’t get me wrong, with that support can sometimes come competitiveness and worry that your child isn’t doing as much as other children but that might just be something in me!

I was talking to a friend about the benefits of toddler groups and she was arguing that they weren’t around years ago so how did women cope then? Well, they were certainly around when I was young because I know my Mum used to take me. I suppose going back even further than that new Mums and Dads used to live with Grandparents so Mums had a lot of support from their own families.

Also, lots of our grandparents lived in terraced streets where everyone knew everyone and gardens were shared so there was a greater sense of community.

We don’t live like that anymore though do we? Lots of us live further away from our immediate families. We still want support though don’t we - and to have a chat!

I remember feeling really isolated in the early days of motherhood and my next door neighbour ran a toddler group - she persuaded me to go along and I’m glad I did. You can feel awkward going in for the first time and everyone is sat in a cicrle BUT it’s worth it! You don’t click with everyone but most groups are really welcoming and cheap too! Mine is £2 and Mums/Dads/Grandparents get two cups of tea and toast. The little ones get a drink and toast too plus we do craft and sing songs at the end.

I have recently written an article about motherhood and the isolation it can sometimes bring. In a recent survey 70% of Mums admitted that they would like to make new friends. Maybe a toddler group would be a good place to start - I even had a Dad in a recent session! He said he really enjoyed himself - more importantly so did his son!!

It totally deserved the Oscar wins and the young Indian children acted brilliantly - they were adorable.

My husband turned to me though and said “I wouldn’t call it a feel good film”.

I don’t know what he thought he was going to be watching. I suppose it was a love story though - it was right up there for me with SEX AND THE CITY THE MOVIE!!

It was great to see an adult film - not that type! - but I’m just so used to watching The Disney films at the minute! We saw Bolt recently in the cinema but the daughter was a bit scared of the man who had laser eyes! We also watched Madagascar 2 - I thought it was great and funny too. The daughter liked it BUT she was scared when the men tried to shoot the lion.

Her favourite at the minute is The Aristocats - how old is that one?

She had The Jungle Book for Christmas but I couldn’t watch the bit where Baloo is unconscious. I couldn’t watch it because I thought he was dead but the husband said he survives.

I’ve gone through all of my childhood and adult life believing that Baloo died - what a waste. That sad tale could’ve shaped the girl I am!

Oh by the way I’m speaking to author Liz Fraser on Friday 6th May between 1-2pm. She’ll be explaining what parenting advice her Granny has!

She’s white and sometimes pink, she’s little and yesterday she had three eyes! Oh, she was also swallowed by a fox yesterday but it was “OK because she’s warm and cosy in the fox’s tummy”.

My Mum had to perform an emergency operation but we got Annie out safe and sound.

I was driving the car yesterday and I had to stroke Annie but I was told off for not stroking her in the right place. I must’ve eventually got it right though because the daughter said “Annie is laughing”.

I also had to put a plate out for Annie whilst we were having dinner last night. Am I indulging her or am I right to fuel her wonderful imagination?

I know the obvious thing is that she wants a dog - she has one though and he is also white and small!

I don’t remember ever having an imaginary friend but I know my cousin did - he had Jake. I remember my Uncle lost his temper one night because he got into bed but his son was crying “You’ve sat on Jake.”

My Uncle retorted “It’s bad enough sharing a bed with my son but I refuse to share it with an imaginary boy”.

I went to pick up her ballet uniform yesterday and she tried it on in the shop. She looked so sweet and she was absolutely delighted with it! She started spinning around there and then. The only problem them was the sizing. Her ballet shoes and cardigan fitted fine but the leotard and tap shoes were to big and her skirt to small!

We’ve had to re-order them in and she wasn’t over the moon not to be leaving the shop with them.

I tell you, this being a Mummy lark leaves you shattered - I’ve been running around all week! Now I’ve made things worse for myself by introducing dance classes!

If you’re a Mummy trying to juggle everything tune in on Wednesday 25th February to listen to my interview about Super Mummies! Do they exist? The interview will air between 10-11am.

I told her all about it and I explained what it was all about and she said she wanted to give it a go. It’s in a converted chapel but she thinks it’s in a castle!

She went for the first time on Saturday and you should have seen all of the little girls dressed in pink leggings and leotards! One even had leg warmers on - her Mum admitted that she’d been a Flashdance fan!

As the other girls were spinning around or should that be pirouetting - the daughter got up and started joining in. I shouted her to come back and she said “My name is Fairy”. Little Madam.

She had to go into the studio next door and I was to wait in the other room. I took her in and introduced her and then I watched for a couple of minutes. She loved it! She started dancing straight away. I left her to it and kept checking in every few minutes. Everytime I went back she had a grin from ear-to-ear.

When it finished I asked if she wanted to go back and she said she did. Since then she keeps saying “Can we go back to the castle?”.

Unfortunately it’s half term so she won’t be going this week.

She wants all the kit now too although we’ll wait and see if she really does want to stick at it.

It’s a mixture of ballet, tap and modern so in an ideal world she needs ballet shoes, tap shoes, pink leotard, tights, ankle socks and hairband oh and a little wraparound skirt too. All in all it’ll cost around £50.

Still, I think having a hobby is a good thing and it gets her into exercise.

They do a show too - I know I”m getting carried away - Just found out they do an adult beginners tap class too. I know, getting carried away - I’d end up looking like one of Les Dawson’s Roly Poly’s.

The daughter is becoming just like him too. This morning I had to go and wake her up at quarter to eight. Isn’t it funny how they never have to be woken up at a weekend! Now isn’t that ironic?

She wanted to climb into bed next to her Daddy - sweet. I went downstairs to make breakfast but I was still shouting them 10 minutes later. They finally appeared but I had to leave to go to work.

The husband was going to take her to the childminder’s so I left him to it - even though I’d left all of her clothes laid out.

When I saw her later she looked lovely - apart from her hair, it was half up and half down in a sort of 1980s style. The childminder actually said to me “You can tell her Daddy got her ready”. - Bless him!

My brother is getting married in April - rapidly approaching and the daughter is going to be a flowergirl. I bet she’ll look so sweet. Her dress has been bought for her and she’s tried it on - looks lovely.

We went yesterday to buy her shoes. My brother’s fiancee had told me which ones she wanted me to buy so we knew what to get. She had great fun trying them on but she wanted to try the brides shoes on too.

“I want to wear the Princess shoes,” she said. It takes me ages to get her boots on every morning but you’d be amazed at the speed in which she can take them off, slip stilettoes on and wiggle her way down the aisle of Monsoon.

She also found it hilarious to hide in between the expensive sequinned dresses. I could feel myself going red as other shoppers looked at me.

“They think I can’t control my child,” I thought. Oh well, wait until yours are out of their pushchairs - you’ll have the same problem - your shopping days are numbered.

Mind you, I don’t shop much nowadays - no spare cash. Everything goes on the daughter and the supermarket bill!

If you’re the same, listen to my interview with mum-of-one Gemma Johnson on Friday 13th February. She’s on between 4-5pm to discuss ways to spend and save at the same time!

She had a lovely day but it was a hectic weekend and I feel like I need to take a week off to recover.

We had a house full with people coming and going - as usual I don’t know why I bothered tidying the house because within minutes it looked like a bombsite.

The snow didn’t help either. I’d hoovered and washed the floor but there were soon muddy footprints all over everywhere.

The daughter had a nice day though and she had lots of lovely presents. I don’t think I’ll need to buy her any clothes or toys for quite some time!

The downside though is that I can’t fit everything into her wardrobe and she now thinks everyday is her birthday!

She wanted a party this morning and she’s insisted on going to playgroup with her new handbag!

I thought the strong attitude disappeared with the terrible twos - wrong.

Apparently she didn’t want to wear it - I shouldn’t be surprised she’s picky at the minute. Anyway he must’ve won the battle!

He tells her that Jack Frost is coming so she has to get wrapped up. It works all of the time.

He says “Tuck your vest into your knickers or Jack Frost will nip at you”.

She does just as he asks.

As I type I’ve just had a text message from the childminder. She said the daughter has asked for a dog called Olivia for her birthday! I’m afraid she’ll be disappointed as she already has a dog and I don’t think he’ll want to change his name to Olivia.

The mother-in-law would be delighted though. Everytime the sister-in-law or I had a baby girl we’d tell her the name we’d picked and she’d say “Ooooooh, I like Olivia!”.

Anyway back to the husband getting the daughter dressed - I’m amazed he managed to get out of bed.

I got the daughter up at around 7.15 and I put her in bed with her Dad while I got dressed - big mistake!

I was washed, dressed, downstairs and making breakfast but they were still tucked up in bed!

Three times I shouted “Your porridge is on the table”.

In the end I went upstairs and pulled the duvet off them.

The sister-in-law said that he’s always been lazy and apparently his Mum used to hoover his bedroom when he was still in it!

To be fair he isn’t lazy but he does love his bed!

If you like your bed too but baby is keeping you awake I have a great interview for you tomorrow.

Sasha Miller, editor at Babycentre.co.uk has some brilliant advice on helping baby and you sleep through the night! She’s on between 10-11am.

I asked her what she wanted for her birthday and she said “Just a Dora cake”.

I obviously have a little more time before she wants the really expensive gifts. I’m not even doing much of a party. So many people I know hire out playbarns or have discos but we’re just staying in and having a nice tea! Maybe we sound tight but in this economic climate we can’t afford to throw our money around.

She goes to playbarns on a regular basis anyway so it’s not as if she’s neglected.

How are you all enjoying the snow?

The majority of schools near us have been closed. I think it’s ridiculous. I’ve known much worse snow.

I think the media make it worse - they have to find stories to fill there 24-hour rolling news bulletins so they capitalise on bad news.

Also, I think it’s because the snow hit London - because the capital got it, it was a bigger story. We have snow a few times a year up here.

Why do schools close anyway? Is it health and safety gone mad or is it because teachers can’t get in?

I just think it makes it so hard for working parents.

Apparently there’s worse weather to come too! Oh well, you can stay in and listen to My Baby Radio!

The kids are lovely though, really sweet. We did painting today and the kids loved it. I found a brilliant thing for painting too. I cut the bottom off plastic milk bottles, put masking tape around the top so they didn’t cut their fingers and filled them with paint - they made brilliant palettes.

You can use that tip! Feel free to let me know any of your suggestions.

One Mum said she had loads of kitchen rolls and we were wondering what we could use them for. Anyone know?

She has toilet rolls too but apparently you can’t use them - something to do with hygiene.

All these rules now. I dread to think what people would’ve thought about the mother and toddler groups that we would’ve gone to when we were little. Mine was in a tin church hall and you could hear the mice sharing the facilities with us! You’d get closed down now wouldn’t you.

Regular readers of my blog may remember that we’ve upgraded the daughter’s car seat - she now has a pink one and she can sit in the front of the car with it. She absolutely loves it. You should hear her chatting in the car. “What’s that Mummy? What’s this? The light is on red Mummy that means stop”. Then I got “The light is on green Mummy that means go”. She was making me nervous - it was like trying to pass my driving test again.

Little does she know that the seat is her birthday present from my Mum! Well I thought she should get something useful.

She’s such a chatterbox now and quite contrary. We were talking about swimming the other day and she said “I like swimming”. I said “I know darling, you swim in the bath”.

She looked at me, well sort of glared and she said “I don’t swim in the bath, I swim in the water”.

Of course she is right but I’m getting corrected by a three-year-old!

The husband shouts at me that I’ve forgotten to put a top out for her but I know I haven’t. Then this morning I caught her red handed. She’d grabbed her clothes off the radiator and thrown them under the bed.

Would you believe it, stuffed under the bed were a load of clothes - steeped high and crumpled!

It’s like World War Three trying to put clothes on her. She says she doesn’t like them, doesn’t want to wear them etc etc. I know it’s a power struggle - and I’m not letting a three-year-old win.

I say three-year-old she is actually three next week and I feel bereft. My little baby is growing up. It’s lovely on one hand because she’s really lovely company, we have nice conversations and she’s really funny.

But when I see cute chubby little babies I yearn for that time again.

I just can’t believe that our little girl has been on this earth for three years. What did we do with our time before we had her? We must’ve relaxed constantly!

Speaking of relaxing - if you need help in this area then tune in to Sue Atkins on Wednesday 28th January. The coach from Positive Parents has some great advice from feeling more positive to turning those negatives onto their heads!

Well the daughter was not happy at all!

She said I could go but I had to sit on a different table - three and I’m already an embarassment to her.

You could think that it was just an isolated incident but later that night we went to see my brother - the daughter idolises him. When it was time to go home she started crying and said she wanted to stay. He said she broke his heart! She certainly knows how to get her own way.

Two days later and my brother met us in our Nana’s.  We all go on a Sunday - he rarely comes but he made his presence known on Sunday by winding up all the kids.

He was chasing them around, pushing them and even had one dangling over the toilet by his ankles. They all found it hilarious but as usual as soon as they are running around wild he decides to leave! MEN.

Anyway I’m off now - I’m going to buy her a new car seat but it has to be PINK!

You know why they appreciate us at age 22? Because they’re thinking of moving out or they’ve gone off to university and they no longer have anyone to wash, iron and cook for them.

I’m speaking from experience - when I went off to University I was a cocky little so-and-so who thought she knew everything.

However, I was the first one in my student accommodation to start crying and talking about being homesick. I was devastated - I couldn’t cook - not even pasta - I still took my washing home at weekends and I used to beg to stay at home.

I even called my Mum from Nottingham train station once and told her I was coming back to join the police! How 20th century that was - my ancestors would’ve ran off to join the circus. I’ve always been a good girl.

My Mum gave me a good talking to - I thought she was cruel and horrble but I stayed and I’m really glad that I did.

I got my degree but not only that I met a best friend for life and I learnt so many life-skills. I can cook pasta perfectly now and I appreciate the warmth of my house.

Back in Nottingham I had to go to bed in pyjamas, socks and dressing gown I was so cold and we used to rush home from studies and sit on the sofa with duvets overs us to keep warm - it was horrendous but character building!

Anyway, back to this research and I don’t think we appreciate our parents at 22, I think it’s when we finally have our own children.

Since the daughter has come along I realise that my Mum was the one who paced the floor with me in the early hours, she was the one who nursed me better, who made me fish fingers and beans when I was recuperating and the one who got two jobs to send me extra money when I was in college.

When I thought my parents were selfish because I couldn’t take friends with us to the zoo or theme park - I now know it was because it was expensive enough for us to go as a family.

I appreciate all of that now and I realise how hard it must’ve been to raise two children, hold down a job and have a husband who worked shifts.

So I don’t have to wait for my little one to reach the age of 22 to appreciate me - I think it’ll be a lot longer and by that point I will have turned into MY mother.

I’ll be heard saying “Kids today”, “Bored, I wish I had time to be bored” and “I can see round corners and through walls”.

What goes around comes around - it really is the circle of life!

I was at a New Kids On The Block Concert! I wasn’t a huge fan of theirs first time around but my friend wanted someone to go with and so I kindly and unselfishly agreed!

It was held at the MEN arena in Manchester. Lots of women were there screaming excitedly but I was busy looking around to see where the nearest fire exit is. I also thought “If there’s a terrorist attack in here we are all going to die”. Morbid I know, is it a sign of old age or just a sign of me - the worry wart.

Anyway, back to THE BLOCK - that’s apparently what their fans call them! They are now men in their late 30s/early 40s. Many of them are married or divorced and the majority have children.

This didn’t stop the women - of a similar age to them - from going wild! They were crying and pushing themselves forward into the crowd. They were legging it towards the stage just desperate to get a picture of one of the band members.

I must’ve looked like someone’s Grandma because I was just sat watching them! They kept getting thrown back into their seats by the security.

I felt like saying to some of these women “Get back in your seat or you’ll be thrown out and then you’ll never get the chance to see New Kids On the Block ever again”.

My friend was just as bad - I didn’t even think she liked them that much nowadays!

Oh well, it was a good night out anyway and this Mum doesn’t often get the chance to get down with THE KIDS these days!

The problem is that as fast as I’m putting bobbles in her hair she’s pulling them out.

Even my Mum has commented on it - not that it takes much to get a sarcastic comment from her!

The other day she thought the daughter looked nice and she said to me “You’re getting good with your colour co-ordination Joanne”. I’d never realised that I was bad!

Mothers - they can never just praise you - I hope I don’t end up the same way!

So Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck have named their second daughter Seraphina. What do you think? I don’t hate it but it wouldn’t be a name I would pick - quite a mouthful really.

Charlotte Church has named her son Dexter and again it wouldn’t be my choice. It would be a dull world if we were all the same though.

As I type the husband is blowing his nose - sounding like an elephant - I can hear you! He’s going on and on about how he still has his cold. Why is it lasting so long is what he wanted to know earlier.

Well I’ll tell you - because you’re a man!

I spoke to Dr Dawn Harper recently and she said “Children have colds, Men have flu and Women get on with it.” Never a truer word said!

Join me on Monday 19th January between 10-11am when Dr Harper tells us how to treat those seasonal coughs and colds.

Her attitude is just unbelievable at the minute but according to playschool she’s an angel. So it’s just with me then!

Last night we had the temper tantrum of all temper tantrums. I couldn’t believe it. She had a full blown screaming match. What was it over? SOUP.

She decided she didn’t want to eat her tea. Then she said she did want to eat it but she didn’t want to eat it at the table. Then she was crying and running around the house - I don’t think she actually knew what she wanted to do!

I tried putting her in the corner “to think about her behaviour” and she just screamed. She was acting like a spoilt brat - and believe me she isn’t!

In the end I left her to it and I went and sat on the stairs. Within five minutes she was coming to find me and she said “I promise I won’t do it again Mummy.” Then she went and had her soup.

I can’t believe these tiny toddlers - as soon as the drama is over they go back to normal. Weird.

She didn’t want to go and see the childminder this morning because she said she didn’t have any friends. When we arrived at the centre where they were all meeting she ran off playing straight away.

Not even three and she’s manipulating me!

My brother is getting married in April and that’ll be lovely - I do love a wedding.

I haven’t been as involved in this one though - I mean in terms of going to look at wedding dresses etc. The last time I did that was for my friend’s wedding a few years ago and it was so exciting going to the Bridal Show at the NEC and looking at the gorgeous gowns in the most beautiful shops - almost makes me want to renew my vows!

I said ALMOST!

I’m actually meeting my sister-in-law after work to go and look at some dresses - for me not her. Am a bit nervous about it though. I don’t really like my figure at the minute and I hate my dinner lady/bingo wing arms.

Now that’s a problem seeing as all the dresses are sleeveless - maybe I could get one of those bolero jackets or I could go for fake tan. I always think brown fat looks better than the pale lily white variety.

The majority of dresses I have seen look lovely on the website but what they’ll be like on me is another matter. They’re always modelled on some Barbie looking model and would be ideal for someone who doesn’t eat and is a size 0 - that’s just not me.

My Mum even suggested buying one which was a bit tight and it would spur me on to lose weight - thanks Mum!

What I really need I suppose is to do some exercise but I’m not a going to the gym kinda girl. What does sound interesting though is poledancing! Read this article to find out how it could help you and me get in shape!

I hope you all enjoyed the festive season. Ours was good but passed in a busy blur. There are so many people to see and so much entertaining.

The daughter had a brilliant time although she said that Father Christmas broke his arm coming down our chimney on Christmas Eve. She heard him shout for help though and she put it in the sink and made it better. What a thoughtful and imaginative child we have.

We had a lovely Christmas Day, complete with the husband having to be told to come home from the pub or his dinner - which I had slaved over - would be in the dog. MEN!

I wouldn’t mind but he isn’t a boozer. Two pints and he’s normally asleep. At least he enjoyed himself!

Now it’s all back to normal he has come down with a terrible cold and so has the daughter. What a start to the New Year!

Her birthday is fast approaching too and I don’t know what to do. Party or no party?

Someone who should be able to help me is Katie Burnett from  Les Enfants. She’s on Mum’s Hour on Wednesday 7th January. So tune in from 1pm for her tips on parties.

How would Father Christmas get all those new men under our trees? I bet if you asked stressed Mums what was number 1 on their wish list it would be a new man! As I type mine has gone Christmas shopping - on Christmas Eve. He is such a stereotype!!

I may benefit though - he may be so stressed with the queues that he’ll end up spending more than he wanted because he wants to get out. It’ll be just my look though that he’ll find the bargain basement bin first and get all my pressies for under a tenner. So what if I’m not a size 8 and fishnets aren’t really me.

When you get such a gift on Christmas morning you smile and try and pretend that you’re happy - oh size 8 fishnets - these are the new thing they’re actually wrist warmers - well that’s the only part of my body I’d get them around.

Anyway, I mustn’t dally - I have a trifle that needs finishing, a house that needs cleaning, veg that needs preparing, gifts that need handing out, a mother who wants me to take her shopping and a child and ……..a husband!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS XXX