Mel and her boys

TV presenter Mel Sykes talks about her sons and adjusting to life after her recent marriage split from actor Daniel Caltagirone

Reproduced from Your Family magazine

What's your best memory as a mum?

Mel Sykes: Breastfeeding. I felt so close to the boys (Roman, now aged six, and Valentino Luca, four). It's the romantic part of those early days. It may not feel like it at the time, but when you look down and see their beautiful faces, there's nothing like it.

What was the worst?

Mel Sykes: Roman became a faddy eater at two years old. It was scary and frustrating. If you cook lovely things and they refuse them, it feels like rejection. You can make children worse by being anxious, but it's hard when you're worried.

Do the boys get on well?

Mel Sykes Roman was not happy when Valentino arrived at home. He didn't do anything horrible, but he just didn't respond to him. Now they encourage each other to get into mischief and I'm glad it's so different.

Did you try to avoid sibling rivalry?

Mel Sykes: I read books about babies to Roman, let him help decorate the nursery and gave him a present from Valentino, but it didn't make a difference. That's the thing with parenting, you can prepare all you like but it might not go down well!