Christine McGuinness has candidly spoke out about her personal parenting struggles during the Covid-19 lockdown.
The wife of comedian Paddy McGuinness has had it harder than most after all of her three children were diagnosed as autistic.
While the 33-year-old has adopted copying mechanisms to individually support each child, the family were plunged into the deep end and overwhelmed with anxiety as soon as the world as we know it changed.
The Real Housewives Of Cheshire star's offspring were used to routine, certain foods and the same circle of friends each day but the lockdown unsettled them like never before.
Christine explained that it is common for autistic children to opt for "dry" and "beige" foods which meant trips to their favourite eateries were put on the back burner.
Both Paddy and Christine had to find calming methods of introducing new foods groups but initially this was an uphill battle and she worried her children weren't eating at all.
In a candid interview with The Mirror, the starlet explained: "At the start of lockdown we felt we couldn't get any food in them at all.
"Gradually, we tried to introduce new food as much as we could."
Christine went on: "Trying new foods is always a big deal for the kids. So when they do, we sit back, say nothing and watch them, nudging each other and thinking, 'oh my god they've eaten!'"
The routines for Penelope, 5, Leo , 7, and Felicity, 7, were completely thrown off kilter when they were cut off from school – much like the rest of the nation.
However, for children who suffer from autism this would have proved to be even more unnerving, having relied and thrived on an everyday routine for so long.
Christine added: "Lockdown was really difficult at first. It's been an uphill struggle.
"The children were getting a lot of support at school but that all stopped. Suddenly we had to become therapists for them and it wasn't going too well."
They quickly realised that normality wasn't about to spring back into action any time soon and decided to face challenges as a family.
Paddy and Christine introduced meal times at the table where they engaged in open chats with their youngsters – who often find dialogue tough – while they sampled new yummy meals together.
Although there had been some massive obstacles to overcome, the reality star is now really grateful for the time she has had to nurture, love and watch her babies grow and blossom.
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