In her memoir, Anne Robinson recounts the wake-up call which motivated her to stop drinking. Leaving her eight-year-old daughter alone in their car while she went to buy liquor, she returned to find her daughter with tears running down her cheeks. The guilt and horror Ms. Robinson felt at this sight jolted her into sobriety.

We mothers of grown-up daughters tend to view them with a mixture of love, exasperation, irritation and awe.

My accountant regularly asks to take me to lunch. I always say I can't afford it.

I've had a lot of dates, but I don't think there's been anyone that special or important.

I adore clothes - they're my weakest link! My mother was the same, and she taught me always to look polished.

Teachers are the worst. Just shameless about kicking off their rivals.

I do have a rule that very few meetings are worth more than ten minutes.