This summer, it’s time to do your part and join the dreaded school WhatsApp group

Tit for tat childminding is one way of parents helping each other out. Mums especially understand the need for this communal attitude

London is often accused of having no community spirit. I must beg to differ when it comes to my own manor (PA)

London is often accused of having no community spirit. I must beg to differ when it comes to my own manor. Just this morning I took my children to one of my neighbour’s houses so I could write this column without anyone needing me to glue something to anything, or wipe anything gruesome off something, or make them something to eat.

She also, by the by, took in a pile of my ironing as one look around my house told her that I really am not on top of the housework. I was mortified but grateful. I couldn’t even make her a cup of tea to say thank you. I couldn’t find the kettle. It turned up when she left. God knows what it was doing in the garden but then I did find a tin with one of my son’s milk teeth in among some bank statements the other day. Organisation has never been my thing. Nor the tooth fairy, as it turns out.

I live in an area where we are all bound by the primary school we send our children to. Catchment areas are so tight that it means all the parents of the school live very close by and we are good at throwing our children to one another when we need to rush off to work. The mums especially understand the need for this communal attitude. Most of us work and the ones who don’t have income jobs are rushed off their feet with babies and toddlers – and looking after my children when I have a deadline.

Because I don’t work 9 to 5, I’m a good one to bring kids to early in the morning if you need to get to work before the school run (I’m not putting that out to the nation, just if you live in my postcode). It’s a rush and a scramble and sometimes your heart is in your mouth making all the timings work. Also, on occasion, the worst happens and someone slips up. I would like to take this opportunity to apologise to the family at number 51 for boarding a plane to Sweden at the exact time I was meant to be picking up their son. Never has anyone hissed quite so emphatically at an air steward, “I CAN’T get off my phone! I’ve left Jack at the school gates!”

We need more time than the school day allows to make getting to and from work possible. This week, parents at a school in Cardiff queued up from 3am to secure a place for their children at breakfast club. The idea behind the club is primarily to make sure each child eats a proper breakfast before they start school – but for many parents, it’s the only way they can get to work on time, in fact relying on the club to keep themselves in employment.

The only time I have ever queued up for anything at that hour is to secure Prince tickets. It’s grim to see people have to do this and not even have a fun night out at the end of it.

So what can we do? Campaign for more funding? Get the same people who berate parents for getting benefits to care about helping them get the childcare they need to stay employed? Yes, all of that. But more immediately, what can we do? Practically? Now? “Lend A Hand” (Once a Brownie, always a Brownie), tit for tat childminding is one way of parents helping each other out. And don’t just do it for your close friends. Embrace the parent WhatsApp groups. Yes, they can be twee and banal… you will get the inevitable “Does anyone know what time the Co-op shuts?” (GOOGLE IT WOMAN!)

I’m on loads of them – my street’s, my son’s class, my daughter’s class, the year group class, football clubs and splinter groups from each of these. I am on them all and unafraid to ask for help. We have to, otherwise how would anything ever be done? It only works if you too are willing to put yourself out and do favours back – don’t be the one who dumps your children on others and never enthusiastically offers to take theirs.

When I’m on tour, my guilt of leaving my children is only allayed when I know they are having fun with their friends. So even if my parents are there looking after them, I put out a “Guilt Playdate SOS” and pretty much always get a response.

A neighbour of mine bashfully asked me to look after her child tomorrow morning. “I feel awful asking.”

‘Why?” I said.

“Because it’s not for work, I just really want to go for a run.”

For me, something that settles your head and makes you feel good so that you tackle the rest of your day with gusto is just as important as work. Besides, I’m just delighted she trusts me again with Jack after the whole airport debacle.