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Bonny
Bonny is a housewife and part-time voluntary worker who lives with husband Pete and their son Zach.
Q: What parts of the swap did you enjoy?
A: I enjoyed the whole experience. The family were lovely – Alani and the kids were very kind. Alani was thoughtful and made everything fun – he also always checked I was OK.
Q: What parts of the swap did you find difficult?
A: The only thing I found difficult was leaving the family. I had to remind myself not to become too emotionally attached as I had to leave them at the end of the swap. It was difficult because they were so kind and thoughtful.
Q: How did your family cope with the swap?
A: Zach found it unsettling – it's a difficult experience for a nine-year-old to understand. But he liked Darenda and found her fun. Pete found the process more difficult and somewhat draining.
Q: Do you relate to your family differently?
A: No, not at all – everything is back to normal. We took a holiday recently and carried on the way we were before the swap.
Q: Has it changed you at all?
A: Alani suggested that I get a part-time job, which is something I've done now. I'm working for a charity and it does feel good to be giving something back.
Q: Would you do it again?
A: Yes I would … but I don't think Pete would want me to!
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Darenda
Darenda lives with Alani and children Lindsie, Bryanne, Courtenay and baby Alani.
Q: Why did you want to be on Wife Swap?
A: I saw an advert in a stage magazine asking for people to apply. It asked for loud, crazy families and I thought that sounded like us so we applied!
Q: What parts of the swap did you enjoy?
A: I really enjoyed the time I had with Zach – it was great to have fun with him and bring him out of his shell. Karaoke with Pete on the last night of the swap was also a lot of fun.
Q: What parts of the swap did you find hardest?
A: Having to clean every day to a strict timetable was just boring – I really didn't like it. The 'mindful wife' stuff was weird too – more like 'mindless wife'! It was all 'do this, do that' – and all for Pete; there was no time for myself.
Q: How did your family cope with the swap?
A: I think they thought it was weird. They liked Bonny – and what I heard of her I liked – but they thought it was all very strange. She came to a house where the work and everything is shared equally and did all her 'mindful wife' stuff.
Q: Do you relate to your family differently?
A: We've always been a close family, but I respect Alani more now. As I see it, if you've got something good then hang onto it. If it's no good for you, then get rid. The kids help out more now too – if they make a mess they help tidy it up.
Q: Has it changed you at all?
A: Alani still does most of the cooking because he enjoys it, but I help out in the kitchen now – I'll wash-up and lay the table. Overall I feel a lot calmer too – I don't lose my temper as much as I used to. When I spent time away from my family – as Darenda, not as a mum – it gave me time to think about what I have and helped me appreciate it more.
Q: Would you do it again?
A: Yeah – but it would have to be with a different family … perhaps Lizzy Bardsley!
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