Mandy looks calm on the outside, but inside she’s screaming. “I feel like I’m going mad” she says, “but all the other parents I see are coping just fine. When I go out I just hope no-one asks me how I am”.

Mandy’s son is going through that ‘difficult’ stage. He wakes several times each night and is a fussy eater but he races around all day - she doesn’t know where he gets the energy; he certainly has more than her. How can looking after one young child take over your life like this?

Mandy has tried going to the local Parent & Toddler Group but feels that she doesn’t fit in. Everyone else seems to cope. She puts on a brave face and hopes no-one will notice how she feels. It seems like she’s the parent of the naughtiest child there.

"I cannot express how grateful I have been to receive the support from Home-Start. Jane has kept me going over the last 14 months with all her caring and love she has shown us. Thank you."