When I was asked if I would look after a cyber baby for the weekend, I didn't really know what to expect. I had never heard of this cyber baby before so I was excited but nervous.

As what I was going to be doing was explained to me I then thought - well this should be easy, it cries and u insert a care key in its back to stop it crying.

I baby-sit kids all the time and love looking after them, I didn't realise how different it would be.

When the baby arrived, I was astonished with the amount of stuff it came with. A car seat, Moses basket, baby bouncer chair, pushchair and changing bag. Just a little insight to how much stuff a baby needs and you have to carry around with you the whole time.

I had the lecture of what to do and don't and how to look after the baby. As like all babies, the head is one of the most fragile parts. I was told that you had to make sure it was supported at all times and the baby was positioned in the right way or all hell would break loose (as I later found out). I was warned not to mistreat the baby or a neglect note would be made on the high-tech computer that programmes the baby.

It was explained to me that the baby would cry at irregular intervals and not to a schedule as this would defeat the object.

At first I was very self-conscious about carrying around a plastic baby but after a while I got used to it. As sad as it seems, everyone I knew asked what her name was so in the end I had to give her one.

I didn't really think about it at first but after taking the baby dancing with me on the first night, my teacher had persuaded me to call it after her - Emma.

I was astounded at how much attention I was getting from this little plastic baby but I enjoyed it!! Emma had stayed quiet for about three hours since I had had her, but I knew it wouldn't be long before it started.

Jamie with his virtual niece

I wasn't sure what to expect, how long she would cry for or how loud the crying would be. I kept thinking, would I hear her?

My mum and dad were out for the evening so it was just me, my younger brother and later on my friend.

Finally I had some sort of help, my friend had arrived and she was going to stay for the night. She loved the idea of looking after this baby and held it for ages, I didn't even get a look in.

The waiting was over, Emma started crying for the first time at about 9:45 and it lasted for around 15 minutes. Her cry was just right for me, not too loud, not too quiet, so I was able to hear her from another room. I found it difficult holding her in a comfortable position with the care key inserted in the back; it actually really hurt my hand at times.

I was glad when I heard the delightful sound of her gurgle, which meant that the session had ended. I was planning on getting a good night sleep as I would be rising early in the morning for a Christmas shopping trip in Milton Keynes.

My mum was also planning for a good night's sleep as she had work early in the morning but knowing my mum she would sleep right through the baby's cry.

My plans were crushed when my peaceful sleep was broken at about 1:30am with the screaming baby sound, it seemed much louder than before. I shouted at my friend to turn the light on because I couldn't find the hole for the care key in the baby's back.

I was hoping for a shorter spell this time but there was no such luck, the care session lasted about 30 minutes. It had only felt as though I had been asleep for 5 minutes when the screeching sound of the baby crying started up again.

Yet again I woke up to attend the screaming baby and the session this time lasted a little shorter than the last. I was so worried that I wasn't going to be able to wake up early in the morning, as I'm not very good at getting up if I haven't had my sleep.

Thinking about it then, I really wasn't bothered at her waking me up in the night. But I was OK, it took me a while to wake up but I got there in the end. We were on our way to Milton Keynes shopping centre and my other friends wondered why she hadn't cried yet, as if by magic she started up again.

As I was holding the baby I wondered how I would get all of my stuff and the pram out of the car so we could begin our shopping. I was lucky to have my friends there to help me.

Jessica's friend Faye with the baby

The pushchair was also great use for carrying our shopping bags too! The care session lasted for about half an hour and I was so embarrassed walking around with a plastic baby in my arms.

As we walked into the first shop I asked my friend to take the blanket out of my arms as it was dragging along the floor, I should never have asked, as she pulled the blanket away from me the baby's head fiercely jolted backwards.

This meant there was a neglect point added to the computer in the baby's back. This was my first one. I didn't know what to do, even with the care key in Emma's back she cried, I had some very strange looks. The crying stopped and shortly after the session was over.

As the day progressed I began to worry about Emma. She hadn't cried for about five hours and I was beginning to wonder if the batteries were running low. But no, I was wrong, and soon enough she was crying again.

I found it very difficult to shop for the things that I needed whilst holding the baby, everywhere I went - so did she. If the baby cries u have to attend its needs, whatever you are doing.

My friends thought it was brilliant pushing the pram around like a real baby but I thought it was totally embarrassing. If it were a real baby it would be completely different. Near the end of the day I got used to the stares and the "Oh look it's a dolly, don't you think she's a bit old for that kind of thing?" so I thought I would draw attention to myself. I was never going to see these people again so I thought I would just go for it.

Emma relaxes with Jessica's cat

Emma had started crying again so I took her out of the pram and sat down. We had the video camera with us too, so we could record me, my friends and Emma shopping. We got that out and started recording everyone's reactions to me as I began to talk to her "Don't cry Emma, it's OK. . . shhhhh."

It was hilarious watching everyone who went past stare at this plastic dolly. One woman did approach me and asked if it was a virtual baby as her daughter had done the same thing at school.

Jessica and Emma in the bathroom

I was glad to know of someone who thought I was at least a little sane. After a long day of shopping and baby I was finally glad to go home and rest.

Sunday and was the last full day of looking after Emma. It was a resting day for me as I had had a busy Saturday and I wasn't in the rush or the mood to do anything remotely strenuous.

She only woke me up once in on Saturday night so I was pleased that I got to catch up on some of that needed sleep. I did go food shopping with my parents and my younger brother though it wasn't for long and luckily she didn't cry in the middle of the shop.

During Sunday night when Emma woke up I recorded the session on the video recorder, I don't even remember doing it!

Monday, and it was hand-back time, I was tired, stressed and I had to go to school at lunchtime.

But I'm not complaining I thoroughly enjoyed the weekend and I'm glad that I did it, it was a great experience, (Picture of me with the baby).

My desire to have children has not been affected, but my previous thought about looking after a baby was totally changed with the experience.

It really showed me how much attention a baby really needs and how everything or anything that you are doing had to be dropped to attend the baby's needs right away.

I thought that it would cry more than it did and I was surprised at how long each care session was.

If it were possible to get these cyber babies to all schools around the country, teenagers would benefit greatly.

lauren, derby	Sunday, 13-Mar-2005 09:53:54 GMT
hiya jess, i think u did really well emma is a cute name ive just picked child development so ill av it some time this year it will b hard but i cant wait suportin the head is the bit that ill always 4get

leanne, derby	Thursday, 10-Feb-2005 14:16:50 GMT
hiya am due to have a cyber baby on feb 18th (mysisters b-day) i got 2 take it 2 a farm! the shame but u seem 2 av done well! well done! wish me luck and i will keep u posted on how mine went! xxx

Ali brown, hemel hempstead	Friday, 21-Jan-2005 17:15:32 GMT
Wooow i new that u did the cyber baby but i totaly forgot! nd i found this totaly by chance!! hehe im a bit slow!! but well dun! i no i woulda go anoyed!! hehe

nadine lee, manchester	Tuesday, 14-Sep-2004 14:06:11 BST
I thought it was great.It would be great to have a cyber baby

Emily,	Friday, 03-Sep-2004 17:03:37 BST
im rather impresses i had one in year 9 and twice in year 10 and i kept it the 3rd time for a week and a half. It wasnt do bad and i would have it again i think that many people should have it for longer as it iterupts ur social life. well done!

Melissa, yeovil	Wednesday, 30-Jun-2004 17:04:38 BST
hey i think it is brilliant that you looked after a baby without treating it badly if you no wat i mean i am nearly 14 and i would like to try it out as i think it would show me properly how looking after a baby is really important!!!! Well done huni!!!!!!!

Ronna, Texas, United States	Monday, 03-May-2004 18:31:29 BST
Well Jessica, it sounds like you had fun with your cyber baby. I'm your age (15) and I have a little girl who will be 2 months old on the 10th of May. It would be positively wonderful to be able to stick a key in her back to make her stop wailing! However, it sounds like an adventure for you... We didn't do the Cyber Babies at our school... And I wound up with a real one!

Sarah, Berkhamsted	Wednesday, 14-Apr-2004 23:29:59 BST
Hello i'm 16 and i actually do have a baby, reading ur story made me so jealous as i wish i could just stick a key in my sons back, but he's well worth it, he nearly a year now and so thankfully doesnt wake me up during the night anymore!!! Well done

Katy, Hertfordshire	Saturday, 21-Feb-2004 14:03:40 GMT
Sounds like you had fun! How did you find out about it? They should definatly get this in all the schools.

Nicole, Mentor,Ohio	Monday, 09-Feb-2004 01:37:17 GMT
Yeah,I had the baby for a child development class I had my lil girl over the weekend to I experienced nearly the same thing only i never let the head fall back its tuff though.Hope you had fun like I did.lol

~*Natti* ~, Leighton buzzard	Wednesday, 07-Jan-2004 16:13:26 GMT
hey huni ive read all ur story n i have to say its jus how i felt coz i had to do that for one of my child development classes at school but i had to have mine for a WEEK! but lol yea it is really fun n im glad u enjoyed it as much as i did. Av a gd one ~*Natti*~

Hayley, Hemel Hempstead	Thursday, 18-Dec-2003 19:55:12 GMT
hey, i am one of jess's friends and i went shopping with her in milton kenes. It was very funny shopping but i have to admit it was a lot of hassle. I think that schools should introduce this because it will make teenagers re-think about getting pregant and encourage them to use contraception!

ben luke and danny, hemel hempstead	Friday, 19-Dec-2003 17:35:16 GMT
do you know the time? did garfield try to eat the baby? ps, are you going to have toast for breakfast?

faye brannen, st albans	Friday, 19-Dec-2003 11:05:41 GMT
I CANT BELIEVE YOU PUT THAT PICTURE UP OF ME JESS!!!! I LOOK EVIL!!! he he he

Fay Lucas, hemel hempstead	Friday, 19-Dec-2003 17:41:31 GMT
Its FAY!! yay!! ur famous!! anyways well dun 4 doin it!! i no i culdnt cope need my beauty sleep init! lo love ya loads xxxxxxx

Rich, Hemel Hempstead	Thursday, 18-Dec-2003 16:43:22 GMT
Sounds like you had fun Jess! Heh i think it would be a good idea for more schools to have them, except that some people might mistreat them on purpose!

Tammy, London	Monday, 22-Dec-2003 21:20:13 GMT
wow i have read all ur story i wud like to do tht wots ur name agen? jess lol well dun i am proud!! even tho i dnt kno u?

Caz, St Albans	Monday, 22-Dec-2003 17:26:50 GMT
Heya Babe i fink da babie was well fun but then agen i didn't av 2 wake up in da middle of da nite lol we did get sum funni looks goin rd milton keynes but i just ignored them we didnt no ne1 lol it was nd iz a kl idea nd wud make ppl think a limore hehe newayz loadsa luv xxxxxxxxxx

charlie, wheathampstead	Monday, 05-Jan-2004 16:11:35 GMT
well jess, it really sounds like you had fun looking after the cyber baby. i would love to try something like that. the government should introduce it to more schools for kids or teenagers to get a taster of what its like.

The Gardener's Diary