THE summer has been busy so far - work hasn't stopped.

I still visit a range of NHS services and lead work to carry out our manifesto commitments. My constituency office is every bit as busy in helping and supporting constituents but I have enjoyed time with my family even more.

We were thinking back to the last Olympics when we weren't parents and how much has changed.

A two year old’s birthday is a new challenge as everyone is more mobile and harder to keep track of. It's also plain to me that my son has a much fuller and more enjoyable social life than I do.

Parenthood still has its downsides from time to time - most obviously occasional sleep deprivation - but it has been a fantastically enjoyable two years.

There is lots of evidence about reading to children at a young age being good for their language development and educational future.

However what I don't think we celebrate often enough is the joy that reading with children brings for parents as well as children. One of the great pleasures I get as a parent is reading with my son.

I appreciate that he can't read words yet but he remembers stories and completes sentences from his favourite books. (As an aside he also repeats words back which means a lot less cursing in the house too.)

It’s also why we are enjoying the Roald Dahl centenary events.

Being a good parent is much more fulfilling than my job - as much as I do enjoy my work.

It's such a responsibility but one of the things we collectively need to do - not just the Government - is to support and celebrate the difference that parents make.

I still find myself thinking that I'm acting just like my dad and it's mostly a good thing. One of my key challenges in the year ahead will be striking the balance between serving my constituents and making time to enjoy with my family.

In that sense I'm no different to working parents across the constituency.