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Jacqui
Jacqui and husband, Desmond, live in with their children Cleo (18), Anthony (16), and Charayne (14). Jacqui and Desmond both work in a factory for a major electrical company.
Q: Why did you want to be on Wife Swap?
A: I didn't feel appreciated around my home. I work hard to maintain a clean, presentable house and thought that, if my family had someone else for a while, they would appreciate me more.
Q: What parts of the swap did you enjoy?
A: I had a great time when we went to the theme park – I really enjoyed that. I also enjoyed the picnic that we all went on.
I was really touched by Ziegan – on the first day, she asked me, "Are you my new mummy?". I told her no, and explained it was temporary, but she kept calling me mum for the next couple of days.
Q: What parts of the swap did you find hardest?
A: Making food for the youngest kids was a real shock to the system. They said that they have 'a jar' – I didn't know what that was. When I found out that they had a jar of baby food each I couldn't believe it.
Q: How did your family cope with the swap?
A: They were really looking forward to it, and when they met Becky they thought it was going to be alright; quite a laugh. But, once the rules were changed and the house wasn't being cleaned any more, they were worried about how I would react when I came home to the house in that state.
Q: Do you relate to your family differently?
A: Not really, although I do think that I've changed. Before Wife Swap I never used to compromise – never backed down. I try to be more understanding now and find a compromise with people.
I also try to think first before I speak. I've always been someone who is blunt and speaks their mind and I now realise that this can sometimes hurt a person's feelings.
I also listen to my kids a lot more now. Before the swap, I would always be too busy doing something else. I put things to one side now and really listen to them. That came from Tyler in Becky's house – she was always wanting to talk to Jason about things and most of the time he would brush her off. I watched this and realised that it was what I had been doing with my own kids.
Q: Would you do it again?
A: Yes, if I could have an idea of who the family would be! I'd like someone who does very different things to me in their life. Becky's life was similar to mine but just the complete opposite – most things I did were the complete opposite of her way, and vice versa.
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Becky
Becky and Jason live with their children, Tyler (11), Ziegan (4) and Kiowa (3).
Q: Why did you want to be on Wife Swap?
A: I thought it would be great to walk in someone else's shoes for a while. I thought that it might help me see that my life wasn't as dull as I had thought.
Q: What parts of the swap did you enjoy?
A: I really enjoyed being with the kids. I enjoyed that I had the chance to show them that there are other ways to live your life.
Q: What parts of the swap did you find hardest?
A: Breathing! The family did so much cleaning with bleach that I couldn't get away from the smell! I also found it hard that I didn't learn much about their culture or way of life. I wanted to learn something about people and cultures different from my own, but seemed to be cleaning most of the time!
Q: How did your family cope with the swap?
A: Tyler thought that it would be great to have a different mum and was looking forward to Jacqui arriving. But, when she did, she regretted it and hated the rules put in place! My two youngest didn't spend a lot of time with Jacqui so didn't have a lot to say.
Q: Has it changed you at all?
A: Yeah – in some ways. I spend more time with Tyler now, which is a good thing. Overall, I'm much more confident having done it. Wife Swap made me realise what I want out of life and I'd say that it's help make me a better person. I'm certainly happier with myself.
Q: Would you do it again?
A: I'd do it if I could swap with a family that's like me – fun-loving, who don't take life too seriously, are optimistic and like a laugh.
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