Who has been a major influence in your life?

[Pruni]

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er, can't think right now. Lots of influential people over a period of time but no single one stands out.

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Miss Maycock at Junior school. Very strict head, but a wonderful music teacher. I loved singing because of her. I cried so much when I learned she had died recently

Margaret Thatcher has probably done more to shape my existence than any other maniac living or dead.

It is fascinating, isn't it, the way we feel such intense kinship with our midwives when we're just part of their working day.

My dad was a major influence, as were his various lovely girlfriends and other of his friends when I was growing up - a lot of them were funny, wise and wonderful. My sisters have also influenced me a lot, as have both my husbands (ex and present )

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Guinness

Embarassingly, Madonna. As an impressionable teenager, I saw her as an inspiring example of a girl from the wrong side of the tracks who had managed to rise to career success through her own efforts/will power.

mumsnet

otherwise my mum

Yes, FG, me too, I'll admit to being influenced by mumsnet posters whose views I respect too.

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god yes, me too. mumsnet has made me think differently about lots of things...

my psychiatrist. finally found a good one 9 years ago & he's the most sensible person I've ever met. helped me enormously.

my parents - who lived in real poverty and dragged themselves up to a reasonably comfortable life by sheer hard work. My mother (now 81) was way ahead of her time - believed in equality of the sexes and in real partnership in marriage. Never tell my mothers she 'can't' do anything - she'd have your head off . She always told me I could do anything - sadly, try as she might, I wasted my chances but still believe I have benefited from her strength of character.

i had a friend with 5 kids who taught me not to be so overly arsey with my kids - and also taught me about real life on a council estate. how to deal with mums calling at your door and threatening you cos your ds threw a ball at another kid. and not to be so damn trusting of someone elses word - god i was so trusting and naive.

i have a friend who has always been there and who has shown me what true friendship and loyalty is all about and who balances the learned cynic ( above) and reminds me there are good people.

A friend and her mother when I was a wayward teenager. They were always there for me even letting me stay for a week or two when things were really bad at home. Whenever I remember that time in my life I'm always amazed at how they were with me, taking me in no questions asked, acceptng me not resenting me (I never once felt in the way.....I always felt part of the family) something I try to do for others

Ah so many people.
My grandmother& my auntie taught me that i am important, wanted and loved.
My friends of 15/20 years who have shown me that angels do exsist in real life.
My husband has taught me that i am worthwhile, nice and needed.
My son has taught me the most special love that i never knew i had in me.
Every single moment of every day i am grateful and imeasurably gratified to be surrounded by all of these people who i love more than life itself.

I have to say that in the last 10 yrs it has been my H (soon to be X)

however Im certainly not sad for his influence even though this year it has all been negative

he has certainly taught me patience, calmness and to be positive....which is all helping me now

so thanks ex-H