Hilarie: Return of Big Brother for the summer

Jun 27 2009 by Hilarie Stelfox, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

IN HIS absence, we have turned Firstborn’s bedroom into a gym.

I use the term loosely as we have only two pieces of equipment and one of those is on loan and has to go back soon. But the room has a certain fitness ambience with its wall-to-ceiling mirrors and, more importantly, a small television in the corner to relieve the boredom of cross training.

I informed The Boy of the developments by text message as I thought he might throw a wobbler and I didn’t want to start a wrangle over the telephone. I explained that the cross trainer had been requested by his sister for her birthday.

“That’s cool,’’ came the unexpected reply.

Eight months of university life have clearly mellowed him.

“He’s a much nicer person, isn’t he,’’ said Secondborn the other day, as she eagerly awaited the return of the prodigal for her birthday at the weekend. “I’m looking forward to seeing him.’’

Now there may be some parents who will take such sentiments for granted but these are words I never thought I’d hear, on account of the Offspring being sworn enemies from a very early age.

I used to say that I should have the words “leave her alone’’ printed on my forehead to save me the trouble of repeating them throughout the day.

But absence definitely makes the heart grow fonder and I have noticed over the past few months that my offspring may be living miles apart but they are forming a closer bond as each matures into adulthood and the competition between them diminishes.

They communicate, as most of their generation do, by text messaging, MSN and Facebook - sometimes all three at the same time, which would make my head explode but seems to suit them just fine.