There seems to have been a run of bad news lately with people losing loved ones, in dreadful accidents or to illness, so I feel very blessed to have all my family around me.

My mother was in hospital for an operation recently and seeing someone you love under the weather makes you realise just how important good health is.

Thankfully, our three boys enjoy robust vitality. There have been times when I could have done with them toning it down a little – especially when it has felt like fullscale warfare breaking out – but in all honesty, I wouldn't have them any other way.

Family life, with all its ups and downs, has given us a very full life. Just this year we've been through AS levels, university applications and driving lessons with the eldest, who also got himself a girlfriend and a Saturday job and managed to survive his first holiday left at home on his own.

Our middle son started GCSE studies, took up squash, put on an extra two feet in height (or so it seemed) and proved himself a bit of a boffin on the computer, while our youngest left primary school and also seemed to grow in stature as he moved up to high school.

The coming year will bring the biggest change of all when, if all goes according to plan, our first-born will leave home in September for university.
He said to me just a few weeks ago that this year was his last proper "family Christmas", because next year he would be coming back as a "visitor". I nearly cried!

To anyone who is just starting out on family life, I would say that although it is hard work and you get ground down by it at times, remember to enjoy it too and savour every precious moment, because they grow up all too quickly.

Having kids is like a ride on the best rollercoaster in the world. Half the time you are terrified, half the time filled with sheer joy, but the minute it finishes you just want to get back on again.
Happy New Year to you all.