Now I don’t need to read a Gina Ford book to know that routine is the key to happiness for a content child.

Michael and I have always known what’s best for our little man and tried to understand his needs as he’s developed from a baby to toddler and it’s worked for us.

So when we had to have a weekend away we did wonder how it was all going to work. We had an early start on Friday as we had a day of meetings planned in Salford.

We had to work round naps, feeding and playtime. It was stressful, especially after a long drive trying to keep him entertained.

It was hard to juggle, but he did enjoy being part of the meetings especially when we popped into the CBeebies office. But the life-size Teletubbies did freak him out a little bit.

The real issue we had was in the sleeping department.

I think babies are cleverer than we think and, just like adults, they get used to their own beds.

Elijah was having none of his travel cot. So for two nights the three of us snuggled up and slept together – me perched right on the end of the bed as father and son took up all of the space.

Needless to say we were more tired coming home than when we first set out. Michael and I were worried about how we’d get back into our honed, tried and tested routine once we got back to home sweet home.

Like I said, babies are smart cookies. It was like the routine switch kicked in as soon as we walked through the door. Phew.

Needless to say it’s taken Michael and I a few nights to get back to normal and we won’t be going away again in a hurry, I can tell you.

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