Greatest gift

Today I decided that the greatest gift you can give to a mother (or parent) is time. Forget wine, flowers or gifts. If you are friend (especially without kids), just arrive at their house and say, "Right, I'm looking after your child for an hour". Tell them they don't need to entertain you. They need to bugger off, have a bath, have a snooze, read a book or magazine or even pop to the shops. Just give them some time. They will love you forever.

I realised this as today I was childless in a room full of parents at my good friend's Christening and I suddenly realised how tuned into parenthood I have become. I was constantly looking for ways to help alleviate the stress that looking after children in social situations inevitably presents. I felt like I was possessed with these wonderful gifts - two idle hands, two idle eyes and two idle ears! I rocked babies, wiped noses and prevented knocks/choking incidents. I was on high alert. And I didn't mind a bit. It came as second nature to me. The penny dropped today, I'm a Mother now. I know what to do!

Took an early train from Manchester to Winchester and landed at Lucy's around midday. The Christening was a wonderful, warm family affair and their son Sholto (pictured with his parents above) was so good, even at the crucial head dunking moment. I'm so fond of him and was thrilled to be appointed Godmother. I am so looking forward to seeing him grow up. He's going to be such a lovely young man, it's easy to see already.

After the ceremony we all decamped to a barn in the village which had a long trestle table down the middle and was filled with tea and cakes. It was very civilised and put me in mind of one of those parties you see on Jamie Oliver's cookery show or the Great British Bake Off!

My friend Stu had come on his own with the kids for the day as Suzy was poorly (nursery inherited bugs also). It was lovely to catch up with him and see their children. Mylo so grown up (he is suddenly four, a fact of which he was keen to keep reminding me, bless him ) and Audrey's soul sister Delilah; who was also getting over a cough and cold, but was as cute as ever in spite of this. She's also a doppelganger for her mother so it was as though she was there!

Nine hours travelling today though so am feeling weary but it was a memory-making day so worth every second. Looking forward to a day with Angus and a recovering/recovered Audrey tomorrow.