An enchanting portrait of the trials and triumphs of family life, which any parent of any age will recognise with a wry smile.

Sally Magnusson lives with her husband and five children in Scotland. This book begins soon after the birth of the fifth child, with a scene to which we can all relate with feeling: that night when you slept through for the first time and without any small body in your bed either. Life continues through holidays (and the baggage required for the family and British weather conditions), school Christmas plays (and the parental competition for best parts for their offpsring), pets (and how they multiply), children and cars (and how long it takes for a quarrel to start), going out (and the organization required to arrange children, animals and house), and all the many facets of family life. Family Life is written with verve and humour, as well as pithy accuracy.