Ok, your up on the podium at the 'Parent of the Year' award & everyone is looking for some words of wisdom..... who would you mention? Good & bad, tv & real people, an experience a friend had made you think "I will definately do that with my children".......

Who are the people who most influenced the type of parent you are/are aiming to be?

For me it was my parents first & foremost. They were actually (objectively) very good. Always appropriate in what they taught & the examples they set for us. We were safe & protected & most of all supported. HOWEVER, they were also a little 'disconnected' which I plan NOT to do.... they didn't take an interest in any extra-curricular activities & never really encouraged us to play a role in the community (sports etc)

I also loved the mother from "Happy Days" Marian. She was stoic but gentle. My Aunty who always managed to find a positive amongst the chaos that was her life with six children & no money (she was the human form of Marge Simpson)

The last architype of my memory was my girlfriends mum, Mrs Kirkwood, she always managed to look 'well presented'. She was really pretty & 'cool' & took time with her hair, make-up & clothes & I admired that about her when i was a child. (My mum wasn't what I would call 'current' & I was embarrased about that when i was little)

I also really like the good sense approach of Robin Barker (Baby Love)

Who made the biggest impression upon you & still does?