Its really quite extraordinary the things you talk about with 5 year olds… today there was a domestic violence eebate on radio 2 and as we were driving along i suddenly realized Pud was listening – and as i did she said “what are they talknig about mummy?” So i explained about violence in the home and how not everyone was as lucky as we were to live in a house where everyone was kind. “But why are they talkngi about the police not being good?” So we discussed the difficulties of having nowhere to run to and how hard it would be to tell the police if you then had to go home to that person.

I asked her if she could think where we would go if we didn’t want to be with daddy anymore… “Granny and Grampty” she replied promptly – and i said yes.. but what if they were not alive, or had a small house or not enough money to help us, because i only had daddys money… “hmmmm… uncle joe?” – but then she clocked that he was daddys brother and we talked about loyalty… my sister came up and she remarked there would not be enough space.. and we realized that even “we” don’t have many options and we have a fairly well off, large, extended family. It was quite an eyeopener – and i was struck by how well she handled the whole concept really. We don’t shield them, i try to answer questions honestly but without giving more than was aksed for – it seems to be a policy that works pretty well really.

In other news.. we are mid a great debate on Moo’s future as she haas been offered a place at a really lovely nursery school that is good with autism… its a toughie….

And Bubba, Impetigo aside – is walking LOADS!!! And being extremely bossy to boot!