Whatever their situation, any parent that can responsibly care for their children solo deserves free coffee, foot rubs and a standing ovation wherever they go.

I came to appreciate this a while back, when I got the smallest taste of being sole caregiver to our three children. While struggling to do what other legendary mums do as a matter of course, I learnt some valuable lessons:

* Taking a baby, a toddler and a primary-schooler grocery shopping requires the type of logistical forethought usually reserved for the military. It must be planned and packed for with proper regard to supply lines, meal times, weather conditions, troop morale and mobility issues.

Completing the task with less than two toilet stops and without opening more than one packet of biscuits deserves a Parental Shopper of the Year award.

* Suggesting a two-year-old wipe their own bottom is rarely a time saver.

* Even a very young baby can be momentarily diverted by the Wiggles.

* A keen telemarketer will not accept that a) your toddler is about to press his face against the hot oven door, or b) your nine-year-old is about to ride off on his scooter into a hailstorm, as valid reasons for ending a phone call. Instead, express interest in their fabulous offer and ask them to hold while you grab a pen. Don't return until they've hung up.

* You can trick children into eating zucchini and carrot by grating it into bolognaise sauce.

* Children will eat spaghetti bolognaise up to three times a week before staging a protest. Most things are considered edible if you melt cheese on them.