First day back at school is a nerve-racking time for parents and Christine McGuinness was applauded as she shared her feelings. The doting mum-of-three posted a snap of her nine-year-old twins Leo and Penelope and daughter Felicity, five, looking smart in their uniforms as they stood in the playground.
The former The Real Housewives of Cheshire star, who announced in July that she had separated from her Top Gear and Question of Sport star husband Paddy, admitted to her Instagram followers that her stomach was 'in knots.'
She typed in a heartfelt message to her children: "I hope you genuinely smile and laugh, with or without a reason. I hope you keep learning and keep growing as the wonderful children you are.
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"I hope you have the confidence to be you and ask for quiet time or support if you need it. I hope you love yourself for all that you are and all that you are becoming #BackToSchool."
She added to her followers: "My stomach is in knots today, I’ll be distracting myself as much as possible! A new school year always brings new routine with new challenges but also new possibilities and new opportunities. Big cheers with a cuppa from one mummy to another!"
Loose Women star Nadia Sawalha praised: "Top mama x" wendy_turvill commented: "You’re an amazing mummy to the most precious children." And stringo67 commented: "You should feel like a very proud mummy today, they are all a credit to you. Keep smiling beautiful, it will soon be 3.00 o clock."
Christine has previously opened up about her journey as a mum of children who all have autism, a neurodevelopmental condition that can cause repetitive and restrictive behaviour. In December she and Paddy left viewers in tears with their emotional documentary Our Family and Autism which aired on BBC One. Christine revealed last year that she had also been diagnosed with autism at the age of 33.
Last month she told how she helped her eldest daughter after she struggled to leave her bedroom. She came up with the idea of hosting a Pokemon Picnic with their collection of Pokemon toys in the garden.
"So precious," wrote model Christine. "I’ve struggled to get Penelope out of her bedroom recently, she is the sweetest girl who really enjoys her own space and company.
"Allowing her that quiet time alone and making sure she doesn’t isolate herself is a fine line. With the summer holidays almost over, I’m worried she might need time to settle back into school routine."
She explained: "Using her love for @pokemon and with support from Leo and Felicity, Penelope joined us outside for a ‘Pokemon picnic’ and she loved it. I’m so grateful they have each other. And I get to love them."
Ot.by.the.sea applauded: "What a great idea." eve_happy1 said: "Family time is the best. Happy times." gemkerrison wrote: "Thats so lovely." mrsmoppup praised: Bless you and the children xx You are an amazing mom xx" And capt_alex_horoble said: "Brilliant."
Christine and Paddy their split in a joint statement following 11 years of marriage. They said: "We hadn't planned on sharing this publicly until we were ready but after the lack of privacy surrounding our life personal life, we feel left with no other option but to clarify.
"A while ago we took the difficult decision to separate but our main focus as always is to continue loving and supporting our children. This was not an easy decision to make but we are moving forward as the best parents we can be for our three beautiful children. We'll always be a loving family, we still have a great relationship and still live happily in our family home together."
They continued: "We hope this now draws a line under anymore unwanted intrusion into our our private life. Although we work in the public eye we ask kindly if you could respect our wishes for privacy on this matter." They then concluded: "We'll be making no further comments."
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