Let's face it, lockdown has been tough for parents. We're juggling jobs with homeschooling, and Lmany would love a bit of help. So, I looked to the best in childcare for inspiration. Norland nannies are carers to the rich and famous - including, of course, the Cambridges. Armed with a brown uniform and a set of rules, Maria Borrallo began working for the royals in 2014, and she's been indispensable. So what tricks does she have? And would they keep my children - Lily, 10; twins Joe and Tim, eight; Evie, six, and Robbie, five - entertained?
DAY ONE
Bedtime
Norland nannies insist on an early bedtime of 7 pm. I love being a mum, but can't help but also crave that window of time we have when the kids are in bed and I can watch TV. Bedtime is usually 8 or 9 pm for my lot, but they didn't complain as much as I thought they would when I asked them to change into their pyjamas a whole hour earlier. We read stories, tucked them in, switched off lights and wished them goodnight - all by 7.30 pm! Of course, none of them managed to drop off and our evening was peppered with tousle-haired visitors, requests for glasses of milk, and suspicious pattering footsteps. Not the best start.
DAY TWO
Going bilingual
Denne historien er fra June 22, 2020-utgaven av WOMAN - UK.
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Denne historien er fra June 22, 2020-utgaven av WOMAN - UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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EAT WELL (even on a budget) - Easy meals that make the most of your store cupboard, and won't break the bank
Courgette and pesto pasta
The CATCH
The house was perfect - so why was it so cheap?
Elizabeth and THE RAIN
She had made Lisa's life a misery- and now she was back
I won't stop taking my daughter out of school... - TO GO TO THE BEACH!
One mum tells us why fun, spontaneous days are sometimes more important than being in the classroom
Where's the JUSTICE?
Catherine Wardle's son died over a senseless Snapchat spat
Fat-shamed BY MY MUM
Gemma Hall, 28, showed off her snaps and got a dose of tough love
Fighting for SURVIVAL
When Danielle Camilleri collapsed at 40, the diagnosis was devastating
Finding love AFTER LOSS
As Kelsey Parker moves on after losing her husband Tom, we investigate how difficult it is to find love again in widowhood
Phil's revenge
Phillip Schofield is back on our screens after a 16-month hiatus and it seems it's all-out war between the former presenter and ITV.
'I'm too scared TO HAVE SURGERY'
Christine Lampard on gratitude, staying in shape and date nights with husband Frank.