KELLY BROWN: That not-so-little box in our living rooms has a real power over us all

Instead of passing their time playing with their toys and making up their own little world of make-believe, they are instead stood or sat too close to the television.

I often find myself saying to my little ones they will get square eyes if they watch too much television, but like devotees to a bizarre cult, they continue to worship that television.

And that comes despite the fact I limit their TV time and instead steer them towards the Playdoh, toy cars and sheets which make up our den.

But it is so easy to forget – for better or worse – how much that not-so-little ‘box’ in our living rooms actually unites us.

Having that next-day conversation about what we all saw on the small screen the previous night is like a work morning ritual for many.

Whether it is reliving the delights of Bake Off, predicting what is going to happen next in the latest big budget drama or realising we have no idea who is in this year’s I’m a Celebrity, the television is like a little thread that binds us all together,

After all, how many times have we all had that conversation where you discuss the TV programmes we all used to watch as a child?

But one magical power the television still has over me is the power to make me feel like an over-excited school girl.

And that is definitely the way I am feeling at the moment as I count down the days until Doctor Who returns to our screens for a 50th-birthday adventure.

Yes, I know it makes me a bit of a geek, but I don’t care. It is going to be epic!

At least I know I am not alone and am joined in my ridiculous excitement – many others have been sharing their eagerness to see it.

And on Saturday it will feel as though the television is giving us all a big hug as we join together and unite for the sake of pure escapism and entertainment.

So yes, television can be bad for you if you watch it too much. But I would not give up mine voluntarily.

What a night owl

IT SEEMS against the odds, and my expectations, I am still capable of a late night out.

Now I’m used to surviving on just a few hours of sleep each night thanks to my little monkeys.

But on Saturday it was a girls’ night out with my friend which saw us enjoy some food, cocktails and dancing.

I deliberately avoided looking at the time and stunned myself by my 3.30am finish! I know – who knew?