If you follow me on social media thingys you’ll have seen that we’ve a new addition to our family in the form of a Weimaraner pup. (Because trying to pull together a second book, look after two boys and oversee a house renovation is not enough -I only have myself to blame!) But hopefully it will explain why I’m taking the approach of motherofalllists this week and complied bullet points on the similarities I’ve noted between pups and young boys:

• They love food.
• They pee everywhere.
• They love to play.
• They’re really sleepy when you wake them up.
• They give the best cuddles.
• They’re incredibly cute.
• They love Mummy (see point 1 as it’s usually Mummy i.e. me who supplies the food – I’m not stupid, I know there’s a connection – I think it even extends to my husband!)
• They know their name, but choose to ignore it at will.
• They’re noisy.
• They’re irritable.
• They grow very fast.
• Sometimes they don’t understand ‘No’ as an answer.
• When they choose not to understand ‘No’ as an answer they whine – a lot!
• They need praise for going to the toilet.
• They’re exhausting.
• They enjoy the simple things (see point 1 and point 3 ).
• They’re fun.
• Sometimes they need a short lead, sometimes they need to run free.
• They both have keys to my heart.