Sometimes parenting can be hard. Very hard. So hard in fact that even the most calm, patient person can be driven to the point of I-am-about-to-go-completely-mad or I-am-going-to-emigrate-to-a-far-away-country-on-my-own.
Thankfully today the usual stress of trying to work from home during the summer holidays, with no sunshine, was avoided when we received a surprise invitation from wealthy friends in nearby Newstead to join them on their luxury yacht for a quick sail.
It didn't matter that we live in the heart of England, miles away from the nearest coastline or stretch of water, because they have a helicopter and that too can be scheduled at very short notice. The rain made no difference to our day either because their larger-than-half-a-football-field yacht has, rather conveniently, an indoor heated swimming pool and an extra large jacuzzi.
We were able to relax and play while their personal chef prepared a meal fit for kings, and the children played happily together. Not once did a cross word pass their lips.
It is lucky I can tell you all this. Our adventures at sea today mean that I don't need to mention that the two of us are not speaking, that IJ went to the fair and threw a mini-tantrum when it was time to leave, or that the words I'm Bored have been uttered so many times that I have threatened to throw the televsion out of the window and the DVD player with it.
We have had a lovely, calm, relaxing day and right now, even though I don't know IJ's new teacher in September, I absolutely adore her already.
