LivingwithKids

Half an hour into my first driving lesson and I knew it was going badly. I’d crashed into two bollards and I could see my instructor’s teeth starting to clench.

Like Maureen from Driving School, I was not a natural behind the wheel.

20 lessons and three instructors later (not my fault – I don’t think) and I was no nearer to being able to drive anything other than one of the Autopia cars at Disneyland Paris.

And now, 15 years later – well I think maybe I’m too old to learn. It’s too expensive. I’m scared. I know it would make life a lot easier, particularly for ferrying the offspring to and from various activities, but I think it may be too late.

So there you have it. I can scuba dive and snorkel. I can count to 10 in Japanese, cook a perfect risotto, throw birthday parties for 30 kids without blinking an eye, and change a fuse and a plug.

But I cannot drive.

*Is there anything you can't do, but would like to? What's stopping you? I'd love to know...

I don’t know about you but we seem to have loads and loads of photos all over the place and I've been meaning to organise them for a while now. Which is why I was so excited to discover Photobox’s personalised Photobooks.

They’re just fab. Basically you choose which photos to include (you can have anything from 26 to 100 pages holding up to 1200 photos), and then customize each page with captions, backgrounds, fonts, colours and layouts (or you can autofill if you’re pushed for time).

Then they send the book back to you, beautifully bound, like a coffee table book. Uploading the pics can take a little time but the end results are definitely worth it.

The photo books start at £23.99 plus P&P, but if you order through KidStart you get 5% back for your kids and 2 for 1 on Photobooks and canvas prints. PLUS all orders taken in March will be entered into a draw to win one of four £50 vouchers. Click here for more info.

All mums could do with a bit of pampering from time to time (hint hint, MotH) and one of the best gift ideas for Mother’s Day has to be a spa treatment – either gift vouchers or a visit arranged as a surprise.

And because mums-to-be need lots of TLC I thought I’d surprise the lovely Amy – a mum of four with one on the way - with a visit to the Sienna Spa at the Radisson Edwardian Hotel  in Manchester. Here’s what she thought of her experience:

‘My first impression of the spa was the fabulous smell, the lighting was soft and relaxing and the assistants were very friendly and informative. I turned up a bit early but I'm glad that I did because I was given a complimentary drink and guided into the relaxation room to start my spa experience.

There were nice deep chairs, soft lighting and relaxing music being played through the speakers at just the right level. The room overlooked the swimming pool and Jacuzzi, which looked gorgeous. Don’t forget your swimming costume!

After relaxing for a few minutes I was greeted by my therapist and lead to the treatment room. The room was lovely. Candles were lit, the lighting was dim and once again relaxing music flowed calmly through the air. I had the New Life treatment (£55) which is specially designed for pregnant women. My therapist ran through the treatment with me which started with a back, shoulder and neck massage before progressing onto the rest of my body. It was so relaxing and I felt completely at ease throughout. The final step was a lovely facial.

'The whole experience was great, I felt so good afterwards and I smelt wonderful from the amazing cream that was used on me. I would recommend this treatment to anyone who wants a hour of total carefree relaxation. The team at the Sienna spa were very helpful and caring which made me feel at ease from the moment I walked through the door. This is the perfect gift to give to someone you know who is pregnant or just to book yourself for a last minute bit of pampering before your baby arrives.’

The White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood, including Global Patron Sarah Brown and WRA Ambassador Naomi Campbell, are asking people around the world to wear white and hold a dinner party in March to celebrate the 100th year of International Women’s Day, which is on the 8th.

Now as I can’t invite all of you round to my house unless you’re happy for it to be standing room only, I thought I would hold a virtual dinner party  - with a little help from some of my talented friends.  I hope it inspires you to host your own.

Here’s what’s on the menu:

Starter Carrot and Coriander soup served with crusty granary bread (created by Sandy from Baby Baby)

Main course
Pan Fried Sea Bass fillets with new potatoes crushed with spinach watercress and rocket (courtesy of Nick from My Daddy Cooks)
or

Tender Sweet Chicken Satay (from My Daddy Cooks) served with Persian Jewelled Rice (made by Carly at Wives and Daughters) or Butternut Squash Risotto from English Mum

Dessert Cheesecake courtesy of Lorraine from Ramblings of a Mum on the Run or Divine Chocolate’s Little Hot Chocolate Mousse. Served with cream.

Mmmmmm. Enjoy!

One of my friends is struggling at the moment because her little girl refuses to be left alone, even for a few minutes, and she's able to climb over their stairgate, which makes doing anything extremely difficult. By the time her husband gets home from work she is too exhausted to relax properly. 'I love being a mum more than anything, but I just need some time to myself,' she told me yesterday.

I can understand how she feels, because when No 1 Son was little he went through a phase of not even letting me go to the loo without creating a massive tantrum. Major Separation Anxiety, in fact. What cured it for us was nursery - he soon realised there were far more interesting people in the world than Mummy (and they were all his height, too!) but I realise that's not an option for everyone.

If you have willing relatives then they can usually be persuaded to give you a few hours away from your offspring a week so you can go to the gym/go for a swim/meet up with your friends. But if you don't have anyone close by then even that can be difficult.

How much time do you get for yourself - and what are your tips for mums who feel that they never get any 'Me Time'?

Now obviously this is REALLY aimed at children under six and not their mummies. But Disney has created the Disney Princess Dance, supported by the British Dance Council, to encourage youngsters across the UK to get active.

The campaign, launched by the lovely Sinitta (seen above with her daughter Magdalena), involves over 1500 dance schools around the UK.

You can find a participating school and try the online tutorial here. I mean with the kids, naturally, not by yourself when everyone’s out *cough*.

OK, so obviously today is all about pancakes and lots of them, actually. But tomorrow is supposed to be about giving something up. Now as you know, I'm not really into deprivation. But I always try to give something up on Ash Wednesday so I can really enjoy my Easter Eggs and Hot Cross Buns in 40 days time.

This year I've decided to give up the following: wine and chocolate. I *may* try to stop shouting as well.

What will you be giving up?

Last night we watched The Curious Case of Benjamin Button on Sky. I wasn't expecting it to be such a romantic movie - but essentially, that's what it is, a film about the enduring love affair between the characters played by Brad Pitt (swoon) and Cate Blanchett.

It got me thinking about my own favourite romantic movie moment. Of course I love An Officer and a Gentleman, but my absolute favourite has to be this.

What's your favourite romantic movie moment? And Happy Valentine's!

Yesterday I was in a hair salon when I found myself sitting next to a Footballer's Wife. (I happened to glance over at the exact moment I spotted her picture in a glossy magazine - embarrassing). Anyway, what struck me instantly was her face. She had the beginnings of a trout pout, and it was clear something had also been done to her cheeks. The effect was not so plastic fantastic, more fish out of water.

Over the years I've joked with my mum friends about having a mummy tummy tuck but the reality is I think I'd be too scared to go under the knife and I don't really like the idea of having anything injected into my face - especially if it leaves me looking like that. Would you ever have anything done?

With Valentine's Day less than a week away, the National Trust have put together a list of some of the most romantic places in Britain. They include the beautiful Giant's Causeway and Lyme Park, famous as the setting for that lake scene from Pride and Prejudice.

It's got me thinking about my own favourite romantic places. In Britain I'd probably say St Ives. Further afield - well the beaches of the Caribbean are of course incredibly romantic, ditto California, but Kualoa Ranch in Hawaii, the backdrop for Lost, is one of the most breathtaking places I've been to, and it's no surprise that so many couples choose to get married there. It's simply stunning, particularly at sunset.

My ultimate romantic place though has to be Villa del Balbianello on Lake Como. It was used to great effect in Casino Royale and um.. Star Wars Episode II and it's almost laughably romantic, with idyllic terraces everywhere offering incredible vistas of the Lake.

Where are your favourite romantic places? I'd love to know.