And when it comes to the way we think about our mothers, the stages of life can generally be summarised as follows:

4 years of age: ''My mummy can do anything.''

8 years of age: ''My mum knows everything. She´s better than your mum.''

12 years of age: ''My mum knows a fair bit but she doesn´t know everything.''

14 years of age: ''Mum thinks she knows everything but she knows nothing.''

16 years of age: ''Mum´s such a dag. She´s got no idea about anything.''

18 years of age: ''Mum´s so far out of date and out of touch, She´s got a lot to learn.''

25 years of age: ''Mum´s got a few good ideas, she seems to have picked up a few over the years.''

35 years of age: ''Before we decide, let´s get Mum´s opinion.''

45 years of age: ''Wonder what Mum would have thought about it.''

65 years of age: ''Wish I could talk it over with Mum.''