I have committed such a huge act of stupidity that I can’t quite believe it. I gave my kids a tin whistle.

It started because I was explaining the importance of the instrument to my husband, and how in Ireland it was one of the things you learnt to play at primary school. I wanted to prove to him I could still do an excellent performance of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Little Star” so ordered one online.

As soon as it arrived I quickly realised I was hopeless, so without thinking handed it over to the kids. Was the sound of the tin whistle always this deafening? My poor dog Winston is traumatised by the noise – along with the entire household – so I’ve had to hide it.

But it’s not the first time I’ve regretted giving my kids the toys of my childhood – and the ones I always wanted.

I always wanted a Barbie Dreamhouse as a child but we didn’t have the money for such an extravagant toy. I used to call in to my next door neighbour because his sister had one and I got to........

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