My son Tom and his girlfriend Emma moved into their first rental apartment at the end of last week, drawing a line, I hope, under their former dependency on Mum and Dad. At 18 years of age, it is still quite young to be taking on the responsibility of paying rent, shopping, cooking, cleaning, washing - doing all the adult things that neither of them have done before.

We have tried to help as much as we can with donations of basic items, furniture and a refrigerator. I think that it is likely to be a challenge and hopefully, a moment to take stock and grow up. I feel a sadness too, a sense of loss, that is only too natural.

I wish them both the very best of luck. Of course, they are daily in my prayers too.