Next week my son is marrying a lovely girl. She’s like the daughter we never had and makes him so happy - I couldn’t be more delighted. Problem is, every time I see anything to do with the wedding I burst into tears. Even reading the order of service set me off! I’m so scared that I’m going to make a fool of myself on the day, which is the last thing I want. To make matters worse, I seem to be getting irritable with my husband too. Why are my emotions all over the place like this?

Susan advises
Hold on. What’s wrong with having emotions ‘all over the place’? Your tears and irritation are a sign that your son’s wedding is important. It’s partly important because it’s such a wonderful event - your beloved son is marking his love, his commitment and his intention to create a family unit.

Partly, however, it’s important because it’s a sad event. From now on, your son’s loyalty will be first to his “lovely” wife, and you will - must - come second to that wife. That doesn’t mean to say you aren’t delighted for him and for her or that his marriage isn’t absolutely the best thing. But his life is changing and so is yours - there’s every reason to be on an emotional roller coaster.

The best way to cope with this roller coaster? Let it roll. The more you try to hold back, the worse it will be. And frankly, no one will mind - and everyone will expect - tears at the wedding; they may even be disappointed if you don’t oblige!

My advice to you? Stock up with paper hankies. Use loads of truly waterproof mascara. And enjoy every moment of this once-in-a-lifetime emotional day!