I couldn't wait to leave home, although I loved my mum, my dad was a cold fish and very victorian in his ways. I got a flat with two other girls at sixteen and joined the WRAF at eighteen. Went home briefly at 22 but got married within six months to OH so left again.

My mum has gone now and my dad is 93 and he comes to tea once a week and, for me, it is a chore and obligation.

My daughter left home, following uni which I don't count, to live with her now-husband when she was 27 and my son left home to get a flat on his own when he was the same age. He is now married too. Neither of them were pushed out and are welcome back any time.

Nina x