In conversation with my parents at the weekend, my mum made a comment that I was the product of a large payrise (made me squirm a bit thinking they were celebrating!) My dad got a very good payrise as a state employee, and so they realised they could afford to have a second child (good news for me!)

This was in the mid 70's in the UK, and it made me realise how much times have changed - now for many people having children is seen as a way to get more money, but also as 'their right'.

I'm sure it's nothing new, seeing awful depictions of step parents & getting annoyed, but yesterday I saw a real life one on a game show.

This guy was speaking to the host before starting the game & had a picture of his daughter, from when he was married - "She's everything to me, she's wonderful, she's the best thing in my life" he gushes. Then he turns to smile at someone in the audience, "who's that?" asks the host, "oh, my girlfriend".

SS10 got given a drumkit for Christmas from his uncle, which thankfully is living at BM's house cos there's no way it would fit in my tiny flat! Anyway, his Uncle lives several hundred miles away, so although he's shown SS the basics, will only be able to teach him stuff a handful of times a year. I'm very involved in music locally, and a friend of mine has a son who's 18 who plays drums & would be willing to come round to teach SS (cheaper than a full blown teacher).

OH really wound me up at the weekend & it all came pouring out of me, and now things are strained between the two of us and I don't know what can make it better.