Jo's Q&A

What did you think about spending time away from your family?
It was quite hard as it was the first time I’d been away from them, but it was harder on me because I was wondering what was going on in my house while I was away.

How did you find doing the swap?
I couldn’t believe anyone could enforce so many rules on their kids. I felt sorry for them because they weren’t allowed to be kids. You shouldn’t speak to people how you wouldn’t expect to be spoken to yourself. The kids were bogged down by an awful lot of chores: they had more chores than the adults did. The four-year-old had to tie her own shoelaces and make the bed.

What bits of the swap did you enjoy?
I enjoyed rule change because I allowed the kids to be kids with no rules. They had a great time - they ended up singing in the bath.

What bits of the swap did you find the hardest?
As a parent I think you have to be fair as well as firm. Mark was strict, almost military, and I couldn’t get my head round that. I thought he bullied the kids sometimes and I wonder whether they won’t be entirely honest with their parents as they grow up. I also think he should give up smoking as the family housekeeping money goes on that,

How did your family cope with the swap?
My husband and the kids didn’t like Suzanne at all. She was shouting at my husband and I don’t think there should be shouting in front of kids. She was too in-your-face and there was no leeway. She says she has values but I think she is a bully. But someone like me will give it back.

Do you relate to your family differently now?
Me and Dave work as a team more than before. Before the swap, the kids used to play one of us off against the other; now if I say no, Dave backs me up. Of course we had rules before but Dave was definitely the weaker one; now we stand together which means I shout at my kids less. Now if the kids want something I don’t always give it to them but I do a points system with incentives. It’s made me realize I haven’t done a bad job with my kids.

Has it changed you?
It made me realise that even though I am the bread-winner I do need to spend more time at home. So I’m trying to finish work a bit earlier now.

Would you do it all again?
[Laughs] Dave says I would! It has improved our relationship - we were best friends before but now we’re closer.

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