WHY is it that when you’re young you’re always wanting to get older, and then once you’re there, you wish you could turn back the clock? Can someone please tell me?

I have to say you do notice this more when you spend a considerable amount of time with toddlers and have to continually hear them say “Mummy can I do that when I get older?” or “when I’m a big boy at 21 can I watch Transformers?”

Gosh, if only life were that simple.

But I guess when you’re young without a care in the world, it definitely is. There are no bills to pay, no careers to plan and no relationships to maintain.My eldest has now become ‘Mr Independent’ and likes to do things on his own without help from his parents.

I don’t have a problem with it at all, as it’s quite interesting to observe and also reassuring to see him growing up and showing signs of the man I hope he will eventually become. He also likes to feel part of the household, helping to put the washing on, hoovering and even polishing. Trust me, there is photographic evidence of all this and I’m happy to let him do it, especially as this enthusiasm may not last long.

He just can’t wait to be a big boy and do everything his parents can do. It’s so cute to watch. If only we had the knowledge of what we know now back when we were young and innocent. I so would have relished those carefree days when it felt like you had more hours in the day than you wanted. I probably would have enjoyed myself more and taken time to relax.

However, we can’t look back in anger (as Oasis once sang); instead we should look forward, with the knowledge we’ve accumulated so far and hope we can pass it down to our little ones.