I CONFESS I never much liked Cherie Blair during her time as Britain’s ‘first lady’. It was an irrational dislike based not so much on her personality as on her image.

Whether she intended it or not, she came across as rather simpering, always appearing to be clinging desperately to her husband’s arm.

This was gratingly at odds with her impressive CV which suggested, in reality, she was highly intelligent and very capable.

Perhaps she was unfairly portrayed but her recent comments criticising so-called yummy mummies has not endeared her to me any further.

Apparently she has expressed displeasure that a growing band of women appear content to give up on their own careers to marry rich men and throw themselves into their role as mummies.

She claimed that instead women should strive to be self-sufficient for their own satisfaction and because mothers should teach their children how to live without them.

Sigh.

It would be wrong to say there was no truth in what she says.

Of course it would be nice if girls aspired to grow up into clever, successful women.

Obviously it is worrying that some women seem to prefer to be known for what their partners have achieved – rather than what they have achieved themselves.

And yes, the greatest gift you can give a child is independence.

But Cherie has still committed the cardinal sin of motherhood – that of assuming her way must be the best way.

We’ve all been there.

For me, most recently, it was in a supermarket as I trailed after a woman whose child was sat in the trolley screaming its head off.

After a few minutes I felt irritated.

Why was she letting her child scream like that? Why did she not just pick him up and comfort him?

I had to remind myself, as we all sometimes do, that I don’t always know best.

Experience has taught me that there may have been very good reasons for her leaving him in his seat at that particular point – even if it is irritating to outsiders.

In Cherie’s case, she has found satisfaction in combining her family with a full-on career.

But another woman may find equal satisfaction from being at home with her children full-time.

And who are any of us to say either choice is right or wrong?