It is that time of year again when a lot of DIY programmes are beginning to give the children ideas above their station. What I mean is that by taping and watching House Invaders, DIY SOS, Our House, Better Homes and Changing Rooms, all of a sudden my eldest son thinks I am a Millionaire, have miracle designer ideas and capabilities and only a day to do it in.

Every August for his birthday he begs me to redecorate his shared bedroom. he writes all his ideas on paper, designs it on the computer and fights his younger brother for his rights, being older, to having his way.

Each time he has seen this programme where a top designer, usually Anna Ryder Richardson or Lynda Barker, joins forces with 2 beefy blokes to redecorate a willing volunteers home in just 24 hours he gets funny ideas.

They use all manners of materials that the householder already has from timber, MDF, paints and fabrics to revamp 2 or 3 small rooms in their house. Although what you don't see are their back up crews doing all the work that we poor unfortunates have to do ourselves. The results can be either fantastic or so hideous even a spider packs its bags and leaves.

I know we all have odds and ends of these things left around the house but not all of us can find the ideas, time or even energy to complete the revamps in a week never mind a day. Usually I decorate when they are out or at school as they tend to wear more paint than the wall does and their idea of being helpful is different to mine.

Oh, well my son has just been out and come back with the paint, I am going out to buy remnants of fabric tomorrow and my spray cans are at the ready. It looks like the space theme is being replaced with blue, red, silver and industrial splendour. Yes, he saw the idea on House Invaders.

Thanks a lot BBC1 at 11 am on weekdays you have a lot to answer for!!!

But we love you just the same!