The grandmother

Diane’s daughter, sally, 56, is a royalties assistant, married to mark, a salesman, and mother to megan and reanna.

My mum was strict when i was growing up – strict but fair. As a granny, with my children she was much softer, and as a great-granny, she’s even softer still! i think she just feels so blessed to have great-grandchildren, they can do no wrong.

Mum was fantastic when i had my children – she’d come to stay, she showed me how to swaddle Megan, how to wind her, and was a mine of information. but Mum wasn’t living round the corner and she was also working. My dad had died very suddenly when she was only 47 so things were hard. now, she’s in a better place, she’s much happier and has more time. even though she’s older, she’s more fun. i see her on the floor with reid and elvie, under blankets and hiding under chairs!

When Megan first told us she was expecting, i was shocked. i’m quite old-fashioned so i possibly hoped she’d have a big white wedding first and do everything properly. but reid and elvie have been the biggest gifts of all our lives. Within five minutes of the children leaving, i’m missing them!