It's funny how seemingly throwaway comments sometimes stick in your mind. This week on my Face to Face training course, one of the Mums commented that "Every single woman sitting in this room is a strong woman". Being strong is definitely not an adjective which would readily come to mind if I were describing myself. When I thought about it, though, I began to agree, for even though everyone’s experiences are so different having to fight for our children’s wellbeing is universal and the whole experience does make you stronger.

When I think back and evaluate all that we have had to go through, it is frightening and I sometimes wonder how we managed. The big thing is that you do and each little battle moulds and shapes you into the person that you are today. Sometimes I dislike myself as I know that I have had to toughen up and my cynicism of the world - health visitors in particular! - has increased ten fold. However, I am also very proud of what I have achieved and I think that it is time for us all to give ourselves a collective pat on the back. It is so easy to get subsumed into the daily grind and devalue what we do, after all, when was the last time any of us turned around and congratulated ourselves for anything we have accomplished, however small?

In the run up to Christmas, I am determined that I am not going to get stressed. Yes, Christmas dinner will be nice and I do have quite a few bits to sort out still. On the day however, I will be with my brilliant and fantastic husband and children who all drive me mad but have helped to make me the person I am today. Strong, but knackered!