Learner Dad: Quality Street are absolutely incredible when your kids are in another room

"Parenting is all about phases, as your kids grow up. Each phase has its own trials and rewards but, in general, things start to improve as they get older."

Just look at that. And imagine the scene: complete access - and not a marauding, sweet-toothed child to be seen, muscling in on the green ones.

The weirdest thing happened last weekend.

Our two played with each other in another room for almost two hours. They didn’t come in to us looking for treats, didn’t ask for TV, there was no whining about someone breaking the rules of the game that they just made up. There was just silence, with the odd laugh. We drank tea and ate Quality Street as the rain poured down outside.