Sharon’s Q&A

What did you think about spending time away from your family?
I thought it would be good for me to spend time away from my family to give me a chance to reflect and think about my life. I’m normally with my kids all the time so I thought it would be nice to get away. I wasn’t at all worried about leaving them on their own though as they certainly aren’t babies any more. I knew I would miss them, of course, but my kids are independent. I told my eldest, James, that he was in charge of everyone; I trusted James to be in charge.

How did you find doing the swap?
I really enjoyed the whole swap it was a brilliant experience. I didn’t find keeping to the rules in the first week that hard. Fluffing the rug was extreme and did frustrate me. I had to keep the house tidy all the time but I didn’t mind that too much - I tidy my own house all the time anyway. It was interesting seeing how different families live and how different people are.

What bits of the swap did you enjoy?
The best bit about the swap was getting to know those kids - I loved that. I had a brilliant relationship with those kids - I really loved them. They are nice and polite and they called me Miss Sharon. It was good being able to give the kids a bit more freedom in the second week.

I liked putting my rule changes in and I’m really happy that some of those rule changes are still happening in their house. They still don’t smoke inside the house and I think that’s much better and healthier for the kids.

I am so pleased that Karen has really found herself from doing the swap. She’s got so much more self-esteem now. Before, she wasn’t really a mum and now she’s got the confidence to be a real parent to those kids.

What bits of the swap did you find the hardest?
To be honest I didn’t find it that hard. I am a very strong woman and I’m used to standing up for myself. My dad was a very strong-willed man, a bit like Brian, so I found it easy to deal with him.

How did your family cope with the swap?
I am very proud of my kids and how they handled it all. I knew they would be OK and they were. They did miss me though - they always know where they stand with me.

I told my kids to be good for Karen and they were. I also told them to be themselves and that’s what they did. Leon was just being Leon and he normally goes out after school, so that’s why he went out during the swap.

Do you relate to your family differently now?
I’ve always been so close to my kids and I still am now. I am my kids’ friend as well as being their mum. After the swap finished, my kids treated me exactly the same - as soon as I walked through my front door our lives went back to being the same. Apart from the fact that I felt the need to move on from Paul, nothing has really changed.

Has it changed you?
I think I’m still the same me. I always knew that I was a good mum so that’s not changed. My priorities always were and always will be my kids. I want my kids to be happy. If I have £5 in my pocket they can have it.

Would you do it all again?
Of course I would. I think doing Wife Swap is brilliant - I would recommend it to anyone. I am trying to recruit one of my workmates to do it at the moment.

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