Jonathan is deeply relieved when Annabel suggests they forgo their customary family holiday in Italy for a week’s camping in Wales. With two sets of school fees for them to worry about, fancy foreign holidays are increasingly looking like a thing of the past. And besides, he has fond memories of childhood camping in Scotland: [...]

A proud day in the life of every parent is when a child makes their first Google search. Four-year-old Maddy’s enquiry was for chickens, which we have agreed to buy as pets. She has the names - Jonathan and Esme - and she has the hen-house, but I’ve managed to hold off on actual delivery. [...]