Michele's household philosophy

I don’t take anything too seriously because life is too short. My attitude is that you only live once so you might as well make the most of it. Cleaning is not a priority in this house - if the pots need washing then I say wash them yourself. There is more to life than cleaning and so long as the house is tidy, then what’s the point in spending hours polishing and hoovering? It’s a waste of time, if you ask me, because the kids only come home and wreck it anyway.

When I was brought up, my parents were really strict. There were rules for everything, there were rigid meal times, I couldn’t wear make-up or go out with my mates. So at the age of 14, I rebelled. I promised myself that I would live my life in my own way. No one tells me what to do, I don’t have to ask anyone’s permission anymore. And I bring up my kids very differently.

I have never stopped my kids doing what they want to do. I don’t have rules or routine, because I hated them. The kids are normal kids and are doing fine.

I’m 36 with three kids but I still feel like I am 24 so why act my age? I have always loved going out and having a laugh and I’m not going to stop now. Having kids hasn’t stopped me being the person that I am or from being as independent as I have always been.

I never really wanted to be a mother anyway. I had Mel when I was 19 but it was fine because my mum and nan lived just up the road so I only had to have her two nights of the week. When I knew I was pregnant with the twins. I was devastated. Mel was 13 and old enough to look after herself, but the twins put me back to square one.

Ian would like to marry me, but I don’t want to be under someone’s thumb, and marriage is for life. I think he wants more structure and routine, and I’ve had a bellyful of those. I want to be able to go out and do what I like. I don’t want a man telling me what to do. I don’t want to be trapped in a marriage as well as being trapped on this godforsaken island.

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More from Yvonne and Michele

Yvonne's household philosophy
Michele’s household philosophy
Yvonne's rules
Michele’s rules
Michele’s Q&A