I married Steve when I was 21. I'm the oldest of four children and I always wanted a big family. Also, I wanted a son for Steve, he's very sporty, loves his football, so he's delighted to have four sons. The boys love kicking balls and racing around on their bikes. They don't see danger. Steve says I mustn't worry. He says boys will be boys. Sometimes I feel left out of all their sport, but I'm pleased that I don't have to watch football in the pouring rain. The boys see everything in black and white. I should learn not to ask them about their lives and feelings. 'Dunno' is their usual answer. I have often wondered what a family of girls would be like.

The four girls are as passionate about dancing and horse-riding as my boys are about football and rugby, but I was shocked by the mess. I have strict rules for my boys. They can't wear their shoes upstairs and they have to tidy their rooms. The girls were so excited to see us, they wanted to chat and ask us questions. It was fantastic, but exhausting. They came to help me cook in the kitchen, they didn't want to play in the garden. I think girls need more attention than boys. Another shock for me was how nice the girls were to each other. The boys love each other but they fight and fall out endlessly.

The thing I loved most was shopping with the girls. We had great fun. I miss that with boys. Poor Steve had to carry the bags. I saw a big change in him. With girls he was so sensitive and gentle.

I loved the chats with the girls, but I also like my own space. I think girls are harder work."

Jon and I met and married within sixteen months. He was 29. People often ask us if we have so many children because we were trying for a boy. But this isn't true. I'm an only child and it was my dream to have a big family. We were delighted when Annabelle arrived and equally delighted when Francesca arrived three years later, followed by Genevieve and Catherine. Jon loves having four girls, he is their superhero dad! Our daughters are fabulous. Most of the time they get on really well together. They're a chatty group! But we were fascinated to try living with boys.

They even took their shoes off before going upstairs. However, I soon realised why Karen and Steve had to have such strict house rules. The boys were constantly on the go and wildly competitive. They raced around the garden and dived into the pool. There was a fight between one of the little boys and his big brother. I tried to make them apologize, which is what I do with my girls, but it just made them more angry. The little one went away by himself, cried, then forgot all about it.

But the biggest shock for me was the change in my gentle husband. He became more and more competitive. We all went go-karting. We've never done this with our family. Jon joined in with the boys and it was clear he wanted to win as much as they did. He had great fun and I loved seeing him so happy. I know he would love to have had a son to continue the business. But now we've seen the reality of having boys! They're exhausting. I honestly think they are much harder work than girls.