Following on from Kirstie Allsopp’s assertion recently that women should have children by the time they’re 27 I stumbled upon a debate between a man who became a father aged 20 and another who fathered a child aged 58. They were arguing the pros and cons of becoming fathers at such different ages. It was heart-warming and fascinating stuff.

Of course, as is the case for every woman, it turns out there is no right or wrong age, objectively. When to become a parent is – funnily enough – a very personal decision for each individual. And sometimes, let’s face it, not even much of a decision at all.

Incidentally, it was Father’s Day last Sunday: the awkward day that forces you to buy yet more socks for the Dad in your life. I make a terrible daughter – socks were my solid, fall-back option in any present-giving situation involving Papa Moore.

If it wasn’t socks, it was invariably a mug with World’s Best Dad blazoned across it, or some Liquorice Allsorts. Actually, it was always the Allsorts, with or without the socks.

Mum’s present was always a bit more thoughtful, by comparison. Perfume is a safe bet – but then which kind? Flowers are always welcome but they’re never quite enough on their own, so then you get chocolate and spend the rest of the weekend worrying that you’re slowly killing your mum with confectionery kindness.

A gift for Mum should invariably display an intimate knowledge of her likes and dislikes, and of her favourite skincare range.

Dads are easier to buy for. A book about a military leader. Some cosy – yet manly – footwear. Dads are usually happy with the latest tacky gadget. The card doesn’t even have to be that special – throw in some quick quip about an insider joke you share, a couple of kisses and it doesn’t really matter at all that the front mistakenly says A NEW JOB! because you bought it while wildly hung-over and running late to a family get-together.

I miss the frantic run to the shops for Allsorts. I miss the roll of my dad’s eyes as he tore into yet another pair of socks. I miss giving him another cheesy Christmas gadget.

My dad died seven years ago and these are the things I miss – his knowing smile and inevitable jibe about my present-buying originality.

Dads are precious commodities yet a study recently showed that people generally find it more difficult to tell their fathers that they love him than they do their mothers. Please, tell him. I hope you were able to tell him last Sunday. I used to tell my dad often that I loved him and am now so thankful that I did.

For most people, there’s no right or wrong age to have children. There’s no right or wrong present to give your parents. You won’t regret telling them that you love them and how very important they are in your lives. You will regret not doing so – and you certainly don’t need to wait for a special day to declare it.