Helen Flanagan has shared an honest post about being mum after being asked about how she 'keeps it together'. The former Coronation Street actress decided to host a Q&A via her Instagram Story on Sunday (June 19).
She implored her one million followers to 'ask her a question' with many relating to her being a mum of three young children. Helen, who is best known for playing Rosie Webster in the ITV soap, is mum to Matilda, six, Delilah, three, and Charlie who she welcomed into the world last March with footballer fiance Scott Sinclair.
The soap star, from Bury, was asked about recently stopping breastfeeding her one-year-old son. Helen, who regularly shares about her journey as a parent on her social media, last month told how she had been weaning Charlie off breastfeeding gradually. "Totally off my milk all through out the day and just having a feed before bed and when he wakes up a milky feed," she said. "Had to do it gradual for Charlie and also for me that I don’t get mastitis."
READ MORE: Gemma Atkinson responds with empowering message after she's told Gorka Marquez will 'leave her'
In her latest update alongside a phot of her young son, Helen said: "This picture was taken before Charlie went to his nannas house who is lovely and was so looking forward to finally having Charlie to stay when I went to Sicily.
"When I came back Charlie was a lot more settled. I found it really tricky with Charlie to stop feeding. Really tricky. I had to get help with a childminder who was lovely because I needed to be away from him during the day for a few hours etc. As he just wanted my milk."
She was also asked 'why she doesn't have stretch marks' to which she shared a zoomed in bikini shot of her stomach and legs in a stunning orange-themed bikini. "I don’t have stretch marks – I don’t know why," the 31-year-old replied. "But I do have cellulite and I’m not fussed; I think it’s quite natural."
But Helen also showed the reality of life as a busy mum and says she has been reduced to tears recently after feeling overwhelmed. After being asked how she 'keeps it together' because she 'seems so calm', Helen shared a picture of her looking upset. "I am not," she wrote alongside the image.
"We just share a lot of highlights on social media. I try and be as real as I can on here. Yesterday I shouted at the kids and hated myself for that." She continued: "I was just trying to get them a nice day.... and today I cried because I felt overwhelmed." She then added: "But you just get on and all you can do is try your best."
Helen also opened up about the inspiration behind her children's names and revealed the alternative name she had for her two daughters. Alongside a sweet photo of the siblings in their PJs, the mum-of-three said: "I did think about Tiger Lilly with Matilda and Delilah each time as I do love that name so much but in the end, I went with more traditional names."
READ NEXT: