"Mum, mum!" your eldest teenage daughter called after you, as Simon and yourself pulled into the driveway.

"James' crying now because he's mad at me!" she complained.

"It's Susie's fault, she went to Jared's birthday party without taking me along!" your youngest son protested. God, kids are a headache.

"Yeah, well, James should learn to stick at home by himself for once, and not cling to me like a leech!" Susie snapped back.

"Not now, kids, yer motha' 'n I 're bloody tired." Simon hushed them, ushering them back into the house.

"Mum, please, you have to understand, I never get to have any fun!" Susie begged you petulantly.