My eldest daughter would sit on my lap all day long and listen to stories if she had the chance. She is now a journalist and her love of books has stayed with her through the years.

By contrast, the second girl would wriggle from my lap after the shortest tale. She has a much more artistic side than the elder one.

Nooly, the third daughter, was different again. I have nine children and each of them attended dance classes for a while. It was only in one, however, that it was apparent that dancing was her gift. She went on to obtain a degree in dance and is now about to embark on dance teaching, at the same time hoping for some performance work. It was wonderful to see the transformation from scared little waif waiting in the wings to the tender, sensitive dancer that emerged on the stage.

Amy is more down to earth. She loved dolls. She used to linger at jumble sales and church fetes to collect all the poor old dolls that had not been sold. She has just started her first job working with young offenders.

Grace is the quiet nature lover. She did a degree in animal management and has just returned from six weeks turtle tagging in Greece.

Michelle is the happy little Mum. Even when she was very ill in hospital at the age of nine she was more concerned with the little ones around her than herself and only had to twinkle her eyes and the children came to her.

I have given mine as an example but each child is different as indeed is each adult. If we can see the talent in a child and gently encourage it we will most likely have a contented young person.

Some young adults find a job that encompasses their gifts, but many have to do mundane work while pursuing their talents in private. I know a postman who has had many poems published. My own brother, who worked for many years in a shop, has never stopped painting. Now retired and living on a barge, he paints beautiful scenes of the countryside and waterways and sells his work in a number of places.

We all need to have a sense of purpose, a feeling that we are doing what God wants us to do. Help and encourage your children. Look also to yourself! You might be surprised to find some forgotten dreams waiting to burst into life! .

Jenny Eleftheriades