My wife and I are only children. Only children think differently and they behave differently both as children and as adults. So what's that got to do with parenting I hear you ask. Well if you think about it, through no fault of your own there is a big gap not only in your knowledge but also in your parents knowledge - remember they only had you so yes they may have siblings but they have never reared anyone other than you.

The point is my eldest daughter (6) went into my youngest daughters bedroom - climbed into bed and gave her a hug and said 'I love you siss'. Daughter no 2(4) replies 'I love you too'. They don't know I'm ear wigging their conversation but I have never been more proud of both of them. As I said to my wife we must be doing something right. We have constantly reinforced the need to be kind to one another and I do believe this is now paying dividends.