Tom returned from yet another weekend away yesterday – his eighth in the past six months, on top of a seven-day skiing holiday, countless nights out, and his usual three evenings a week at the pub.

This weekend’s trip was to a family wedding. Annie and I were invited, but not my other children. When I asked if they could come too, he and his family said no – so I refused to go, out of principle.

When he came back, it was with the news that he wants Josh, who’s only sixteen, to move out. I told him that’s not an option, and his response was that he would leave instead.

I shouldn’t have to be forced into a choice like this.