Katie Piper has revealed her daughters were “very happy” to head back at school following months in lockdown.
Katie is mum to Belle, six, and Penelope, three, with husband Richard Sutton.
Speaking exclusively to Entertainment Daily, Katie has opened up about how the girls have adjusted as they’ve headed back to school.
And, Katie said, a little anxiety as things change as a result of COVID-19 is “normal”.
Katie Piper on back-to-school anxiety
She revealed: “Naturally it was always going to be an adjustment, but they’re very happy to be back.
“It’s nice to know we can all get back to a routine again and the girls can see their friends, teachers and start learning about their favourite subjects.”
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Katie also hinted that it’s been a bit of an anxious time for the family.
“It’s normal for parents to feel anxious about sending their children back to school, but it’s reassuring to know schools are doing everything they can to ensure our children are safe,” she said.
Katie also opened up about life in lockdown with Richard and the girls.
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Asked if she’d noticed a change in her daughters’ mental health during the pandemic, Katie said it had impacted “everyone”.
She said: “My children are small and have taken to home-schooling quite well.
“But regardless of mood, the change has had an impact on everyone so I’ve made sure I’ve been checking in on them and really listening to their thoughts and questions.
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“And making sure they have a solid routine while they’re returning to school so they have some structure to their days.”
Maintaining a work/life balance
But how does Katie – a writer, activist and TV presenter – manage that much-talked-about work/life balance, especially during a pandemic.
“I make sure that I’ve got a good balance of everything,” she told ED!.
My daughters will always come first and I’ve been lucky during lockdown to spend even more time with them.
“My daughters will always come first and I’ve been lucky during lockdown to spend even more time with them.”
Katie did admit the past six months have been a “whirlwind” for both parents and children, however.
As such, she’s supporting a new NHS mental health campaign.
She said: “There have been so many changes and I’ve just found it’s important, now more than ever, to make sure that I and other parents have some advice and support to check in with our kids and make sure we’re helping them as much as we possibly can.
“Being involved in the Every Mind Matters campaign means that I’ve learned a little something to support my children’s mental wellbeing, and it’s a really useful resource, which I highly recommend for other parents too.”
Katie is supporting Better Health – Every Mind Matters, which shows parents and carers the steps they can take to look after their children’s mental wellbeing. For more information, visit the website here.
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