My daughter Emma is 16 years old has been living with me in isolation for over five weeks and our days are definitely not what they used to be. I like to think that I have an amazing relationship with my teenager, but lockdown is bound to test any relationship.

Being a very independent girl and having her London daily life, Emma is suddenly stuck in an adult bubble with me. It has to be hard on the youngsters… how are you finding it? I must say that she has been a really good sport so far but frankly… aren’t we all secretly praying for the schools to reopen?

Every day I have been bugging her to clean up the dishes, make her bed, or bring the garbage down. I’m seriously wondering if I’m becoming one of those nagging moms I always promised myself I would never be. I used to be a really cool mom…

So the other night, we both sat down and we had a little chat. I decided to ask Emma some questions about me and I wanted real, unfiltered answers... risky business, I know.

*For the record, none of the answers were changed for this blog.*

God help me.

Describe me in three words

Emma: Patient - Accepting - Real

Sarah: Totally agree… but I’m not very accepting of bullshit!

Describe me in lockdown vs. real life

E: Well you clean a lot. A LOT ! You are more calm as well and not running around all the time like you usually do. Your cooking is becoming better.

S: It’s not that I love the cleaning, it just gives me a sense of control. I always do this. I’m so done with the cleaning you have no idea...

“but frankly… aren’t we all secretly praying for the schools to reopen?”

— Sarah Nicollier

Favourite childhood memory

E: It may sound weird but it’s the best, but also the worst. In terms of what came out of it, it’s definitely the best as horrible it can sound: my grandmother and grandfather’s deaths. It’s certainly the worse thing that ever happened to us but the best growing process to go through grief together with you.

S: I know what you mean, sometimes the worst pain can bring out so much good.

If you could change something about me what would it be ?

E: There are certain things you don’t let me do that I don’t understand why you don’t let me.

S: Like when you asked me if you could shave your head or do this cutting thing with your eyebrow?? The answer is still no, but nice try.

Top desert island needs

E: A really big big book - A mirror to see myself and not go crazy - Perfume

S: I’d definitely take SPF50 - A notebook - You

If you could choose a song that describes me, what would it be?

E: The song by Isaac Dunbaar called “ Woman on the Hills”. It talks about life advice and women’s successes.

What's the biggest no-no with Mom?

E: Disrespect, towards anybody !

S: And a big no is lying, which you actually never do. Thanks for that.

Super F*ing Strict or super chill?

E: A little bit of both.

S: Agreed, I’d say I have the right dosage of both. I think it’s very important to be strict, but also have fun with your kids.

Draw me in 15 mins.

What have I taught you most ?

E: To be careful to choose my friends wisely in life and to be independent.

S: And kindness...somewhere I must have taught you kindness or you wouldn’t be who you are.

Describe my lockdown style in three words

E: Put together… relaxed but also confused. Not like usual... Confused... I can’t describe it haha!

S: I call it put together with a little “not giving a f***”

Your most hilarious moment with me.

E: When we got locked out of our house at midnight after dinner. To be honest, it was not fun but it was totally hilarious. The laughs we had finding a hotel room during Fashion Week, running out of battery, ending up in the shittiest hotel in Kensington...

S: It’s those kind of moments you can’t even describe.

How many more days can you stand being in lockdown with me before losing it ?

E: I’d say three weeks...

S: As long as it takes to stay safe!

If I were a scent, what would I be?

E: I think like a musky smell. Something very very modern classy but grandmother style.

S: Easy with the grandmother reference!

How do you think lockdown influences your relationship with me?

E: I think it brings the relationship closer but it also might make us be more impatient towards each other.

S: Impatient? I don’t think so, I think we are learning a lot about patience at the moment, and it might be a beneficial thing when all of this is all over.

Your favourite photo of me AS A KID.

my life motto

E: “Do whatever makes you happy and don’t care about what other people think”

Name three things that you do that annoy me.

E: Not cutting my toe and finger nails - frankly I don’t know because you don’t tell me what annoys you. Is there anything that annoys you really about me ?

S: I don’t understand why you throw your stuff on the floor. Have you ever seen my clothes on the floor ?

What’s the first thing you wanna do with me after lockdown?

E: Going on a trip together... and yes it will hopefully be South Korea.... again...

S: Done deal !!!

This was really fun. Something I recommend doing with your kids and record it, a good thing for them to dig out in 20 years and look back on it.

Stay safe guys !

Mother-Daughter in an Unfiltered Lockdown