DID you know that the latest trend for young women is to take their Mum clubbing and to include them on their hen nights?

Now, this obviously doesn’t apply to all females but it’s a very interesting trend that tells you much – both about the girls and about their mums.

Perhaps it’s because we’re on the verge of the wedding season but the subject seems to be coming up more these days. I’m not totally sure what the attraction is for the girls to have Mum on a night out, other than that she’s probably got more money than most “mates” and pays more towards the fun.

The fact that many women aged over 40 don’t look their age any more is probably another factor. “And why shouldn’t they have a good night out?” I hear you ask.

No reason, really, other than that it just doesn’t FEEL right. From the daughter’s point of view, she’s far more likely to be protective of her Mum – stop her from getting hit on by unsavoury types, ensure she’s safe etc.

From Mum’s point of view – well, I suppose it’s like re-visiting her youth, proving there’s still plenty of life in there and generally throwing herself into having a good time.

The same seems to apply to all-inclusive hen nights – although when I went on one with my two daughters (the elder was the bride) with the bridegroom’s mum, we ended up taking home one of the girls who was the worse for wear before, I’m told, things really started to hot up.

No, what I really don’t like about this idea is that it blurs the roles. We’ve just had Mother’s Day and it’s a brilliant time to show your Mum just what you think of her, give her a treat and make her realise just how much she’s loved.

This seems to draw the lines nicely around what mums do and what daughters do. I don’t really want to hear about my daughters’ sex life or who they fancy.

The relationship of mother and daughter can be a special friendship, but it’s distinct from the relationship either would have with a best friend or other friends. We can’t turn back the clock. Nature created the roles for us and, slap on as much mascara as we like or have the latest haircut or outfit, that can’t really change.