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Balance – and a large glass of wine! – helps me cope, says Kirsty Gallacher
The dark-haired TV presenter was more than candid about coping with life as a working mum when I bumped into her at make-up brand Benefit’s pop-up pub launch of Gabbi’s Head recently.
When querying exactly how she copes juggling a successful career in the media with the pressures of motherhood (while looking so glam!) she joked ‘A large glass of wine!’
Joking aside, the 38 year old mother of two confided ‘It’s definitely about having some sort of balance – and making sure you take time out for yourself.
‘Recently I’ve been working six day weeks – the phone’s ringing, I’m dealing with a four and a seven year old, a bunch of pets and animals – and people will then comment that they think I’ve lost weight! But once I know everything has been done and is in its place – I’m a bit OCD! – it’s important to make that time for yourself, whether it’s a massage, a glass – or bottle! – of wine.’
Speaking for lots of other working parents out there, Gallacher added ‘It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when it’s coming at you from all angles, but having a balance and taking some time out occasionally – that’s what works for me.’
Aveeno Baby Launches Dermexa Moisturising Wash
DID you know that more than half of parents would stop their child from playing with another child displaying an obvious skin condition because they fear it’s contagious?
Sounds shocking, but as parents we do our best to protect our children from harm, not always thinking things through before we act.
The research by Aveeno Baby came as the skincare brand launched their latest product, Dermexa Moisturing Wash.
A self-confessed fan of Aveeno Baby I was delighted to be invited to join celebrity mum Izzy Judd and dermatologist Dr Stefanie Williams to learn more over breakfast.
Not only was it a refreshing change from the school run, it was a chance to quiz the pair on how mums like me and my children could benefit from using the new product.
The launch coincided with National Eczema Week and Izzy – former member of Escala, married to McFly drummer Harry and mum to Kit and Lola – explained how her daughter Lola suffered an outbreak of eczema last year.
An Aveeno Baby ambassador she has now been using the products for three years – and hasn’t looked back.
She acknowledged the pressure felt by parents when it came to taking care of their kids’ skin – over a third surveyed admitted they would be embarrassed about their little one’s appearance during any flare up.
I’ve been using the new Moisturising Wash for a couple of weeks now and have no complaints.
Dr Stefanie also gave a few tips on the day which included applying moisturising cream to damp skin to help lock the moisture in.
Also a warning not to use skin-friendly products like Aveeno, only to go and give your child a bubble bath, which will undo all your hard work!
Myleene Klass: I’m still learning the ropes…
One look at Myleene Klass and you’re not faced with someone who appears to be struggling with parenthood. But welcoming guests to the Mothercare VIP Christmas party on Oxford Street the recently divorced mother-of-two admitted it wasn’t so easy being a working mum in the media…
‘My tip to working mums out there? Oh I don't know, sometimes I feel like I'm still learning the ropes!
'You just try to organise, make plans and then one thing like a child being sick can throw all of that out of the window.
'I guess my advice would be not to be too hard on yourself as a working mum - there's loads of other people out there doing that for you!
'I always say to anyone who looks down on me for being a working mum, 'Are you going to do this for me? Are you going to pay my mortgage?
'I may be out tonight, but I'll be up for the school run in the morning'.
And 35 year old Klass is as hardworking as they come – this year marks her eighth year designing her Baby K range for the high street retailer among other projects.
Hats off to her I say.
Baking Made Easy with Carr’s Flour for Kids Mixes
CAN I claim to be a seasoned baker now?
Because thanks to Carr’s Flour and their new kids range, I am feeling like a pro in the kitchen!
With the kids getting stuck in we made some delicious rolls with their Really Easy Bread Mix – and it was exactly that.
We literally just added water and some butter – although my boy did do a runner as soon as his hands got a little sticky, before my tweenager also disappeared when it came to using some muscle to knead the dough…
They did return however to split the mixture into smaller balls and demolished them once they came out of the oven – they were perfect for afternoon bacon butties.
And it was the same when it came to the Really Easy Biscuit Mix – everything is ready to pour into a bowl and then you add water and butter – job done.
We opted for some chocolate chips as a little extra and you could even get your little ones to decorate with icing – whatever takes your fancy.
Boring parent bonus points for the flour in both the bread and biscuits being a mix of white and wholemeal flour.
We were also gifted the handy baking set which is the perfect size for mini bakers and we used the heat-shaped cookie cutters for the biscuits.
I would definitely recommend the mixes if you’re like me and not that keen on baking (lockdown made me do it!)
It was a lifesaver having these to make during the half term and as lockdown life is set to continue for a while yet, they’re a great addition to the list of indoor activities to help keep both adults and children sane.