Please can you tell the Court I want to live with you, mummy – my 6 year old.

My little 7 year old son hugs and hugs and hugs me, clinging on whenever he sees me. I call him “my little shadow”. Wherever I go, even if it’s just to the loo, or to make a cup of tea, or to empty the washing machine, he’s there by my side. Sometime’s he’s there silently and neither of us speak – we just want to be in each other’s company. Other times, he’s there because he wants to share his thoughts, his questions, his jokes, his fears, his problems at school, his observations or just simply to tell me how much he loves me.

Last weekend, he was hugging me so much, just constantly. Whenever I sat down, even when I was sopping wet from the sea and cold, he jumped onto my lap and snuggled in for all he was worth. Thumb goes in his mouth and he’s comforted and warm; if he was a cat, he’d have been purring.

During one of these cuddles, I asked him who he gets cuddles from when he’s not with me. He said “nobody”. I prompted him gently to try and remind him of all the possibilities when I’m not there.

“What about if you feel sad at school or you just feel like a big warm hug; can you ask your teacher? Or the other teacher who’s known you since Reception.? You really like her and she’s a mummy too so she’s good at hugging and she knows that boys still like a big hug…….She’s given you lots of hugs when you were in the junior school.”

“No, I don’t like “teacher hugs”.

“Well, how about from your nanny. She’s soft and warm and cuddly. I know she likes to cuddle you if you want one coz she’s told me so.”

“No, I don’t want her cuddles – they’re not the same as yours”

“Well, I’m sure Daddy will give you hugs if you ask him. He’s big and strong like a bear and “man cuddles” are often the best cuddles – they make you feel really safe..”

“No, mummy. I just want a “mummy hug” – nobody else’s hugs are like mummy hugs.”

“But then who hugs you when you need one?”

“My rabbit [his cuddly toy]. Rabbit hugs me. Those are the best hugs when you’re not here, mummy. Why can’t I live with you mummy? Nobody else hugs like you do. They don’t feel the same.”