UKTV Style: Does it feel strange now you’re famous?
Tanya: Sometimes, it does feel strange but people are always really nice and the programmes are very popular. Funnily enough, my father was a TV director and I’m married to an actor. My husband is probably much more recognisable than I am because he’s in The Bill twice a week. I only really worry about any impact it might have on my children.

UKTV Style: Are you different as a mother being a psychologist who works with children so much?
Tanya: I’m not a better mother because of the work I do but I’m definitely a better practitioner because I’m a mother. Being a mum has really given me a non-judgmental empathy with the parents because parenting is very difficult. It’s not like you have a baby and out pops a rule book. I think society can make it very difficult for parents. People are increasingly isolated and it’s not like 50 years ago when your family lived in the streets around you. Life is much busier and I think parents really struggle with those issues. I can really empathise with that as a parent myself.

UKTV Style: Have you had any major problems with your own kids?
Tanya: Not really. As a baby, my daughter wasn’t the best sleeper and I do sometimes remember leaning over her cot at 4 in the morning, sobbing! But I was lucky – I could always phone my mate Wendy who was my mentor when I was training and she’d say “Come on, you know what to do” - and then I’d be fine!

I also feel very strongly that the most important part of being a parent is not getting it right, but doing it instinctively. I think children also need to see that parents sometimes make mistakes and are not perfect because children need to recognise that the world is what it is. There is no such thing as a Von Trapp family.

UKTV Style: When you are with your mates and their kids, do you sometimes feel you want to step in?
Tanya: No way! I’ve got 3 very close girl mates and when I’m with them, or family, I’m off duty. The last thing I want to do is analyse their children. And I think if I did that, I wouldn’t have any friends any more!

UKTV Style: If there was one tip you could give parents, what is it?
Tanya: If you want your children to respect you, show them respect. Give them lots of your time and attention. Praise them a lot for what you want and ignore what you don’t want. I think we leave our children when they play beautifully and let them get on with it. As soon as they misbehave, we’re in there with all guns blazing. Of course, from a behavioural point of view, you’re reinforcing what you don’t want by giving it a load of attention and completely ignoring what you do want by giving it none.

Kids also do need a bit of time on their own. But I think children should also be allowed to be bored sometimes – too much telly and too many games means they never get to use their imagination and create their own little words.