Andrew and Charlie,

TV PRESENTER AND MOTHER TO ANDREW, NINE, AND CHARLIE, EIGHT

Sit down please boys. Focus. I’d like to share some thoughts with both of you.

Just after I married your dad, things did feel different to me. Apart from the fact I’d left all my family in the city to move to a farm where I can’t see any neighbours, where we have no asphalt to ride a bike on or any balconies to throw a ball off (these are your favourite things about my home in Sydney), I instantly felt Dad and I were a team.

It was exciting. It felt so good to have a person back me up, to support me, to laugh at my jokes, to do a silly dance around the kitchen with, to hold my hand when I needed an extra dollop of strength, and most of all, to give me big cuddles. Well guess what? You’re now on that team with us, too. We are a total team of four and, together, we are unbeatable.

Why? Because each of us knows we will always be there for each other, loved for who we are and 110 per cent supported in all that we choose to do. Go, team!

Are you still listening, boys? Good.

Dad wants you to know that sometimes it may feel like we are picking on you: like when we ask you to stop eating with your mouth open or picking your nose. Or when we say, “Close the door! Were you born in a tent?” I will not delete this from the letter boys, because we want the best for you.

We may not always literally (your current favourite word) be right by your side, but in your mind, in your heart, you know we are there. As Dad says, “Here come the kisses.”

Those kisses will never stop. Charlie, when you’re having “the worst day ever,” here come the kisses. Andrew, if someone upsets you, here come the kisses. You will have blue days, my darlings, not feeling very good about yourself, and you will have days when you feel amazing, like [wrestler] John Cena, yes! And always, we will be there for you, saying, “Here come the kisses.”

Love, Mum