Challenge yourself, experience something new! It sounds like a sales pitch for an exotic holiday or a sure way to end up with a limb in plaster. But when was the last time you did something out of the ordinary?

When I was younger – pre-parenthood – it was easy to act on impulse and be adventurous. Since becoming a parent the prospect of living fast and furious leaves me less than delighted. And nowadays there aren’t very many opportunities to even if I wanted to. Somewhere along the road to parenthood I grew up and became a sensible and responsible adult (yes really I have!). My 20-year-old self would think me old and boring. Perhaps there is some truth in that – one of my favourite places after 8pm is the sofa with a nice cup of tea and the TV guide. But there is life in the old girl yet!

I’m lucky in that work, due to its forever-changing nature, keeps me regularly challenged. But on comparison, I found that I had become set in my ways in my home life. Somewhere along the way routine had taken hold – and home life had become predictable. I suppose life had got in the way of excitement. My most daring decision in recent months had been whether to have a Chinese or Indian takeaway. This all changed on a recent family holiday to Egypt.

My daughter chose to learn to swim using the sink-or-swim method. She had attended swimming lessons but, upon catching sight of the huge hotel swimming pool, off came the armbands and in she went, promptly sinking to the bottom, only to surface exultant and giggling. Now I don’t condone reckless behaviour and children should always be supervised around water, but she accomplished more in that day than in a month of lessons.

By the end of the holiday she had gone down 100ft aqua-zooms; snorkelled in the Red Sea; watched exotic fish and ridden a camel, solo. I was alongside her all the way, having fantastic experiences that I had written off as history a long time ago.

I was prepared for ice-creams, sandcastles and swimming – but my daughter taught me how to enjoy new experiences and to challenge myself again. I can’t wait to see what my little thrill seeker will have planned for the next holiday.

Good job she’s too young for skydiving.