Christine McGuinness has expressed her joy at finally being able to have a Christmas tree.
The proud mum of three, previously married to comedian Paddy McGuinness, shared on Instagram her past struggles with having the light-up tree due to her autistic children's sensory overload from the lights, textures and sparkles. In a video clip showing her decorating a beautiful tree in blue, white and silver, Christine wrote: "For 10 years alls I've ever wanted for Christmas was to have three happy, calm and content children."
She added that this year, her wish might come true as her children requested to put up the tree early. "For all the years we had no tree because the sensory overload and the changes were too much, for the times we've put it up and took it down 24hrs later, when we thought last year having it up for a week was a success but THIS."
Christine has put up a Christmas tree this week (Instagram)
It was something they've not been able to do (Instagram)She concluded: "A Christmas tree for the whole of December. WOW my babies you really are incredible with a little bit of time, patience and love, anything is possible." Christine, who also has autism, much like her kids, can often experience sensory overload, where their senses take in more information than their brains can handle. This can be triggered by intense lights or sounds.
In November 2021, Christine shared that she and her children, Penelope and Leo, nine, and Felicity, six, all live with autism. Later, she was diagnosed with ADHD, but she hasn't let either condition stop her or her kids from living their lives.
Paddy& Christine McGuinness reunite for New Year's Day family outing
Christine has always been honest about her experiences with both conditions and raising three neurodivergent children. She hopes to inspire others to do the same and break the stigma around these often misunderstood conditions. Earlier this year, she spoke exclusively to OK! about her life after her diagnosis. She said: "I understand myself a lot more and feel more comfortable. I'm not completely comfortable in my own skin yet, but I'm getting there."
She added: "If I go to a restaurant, I'm not afraid to ask for my food to be a little bit plainer, while before I used to feel awkward and difficult about it. Now I'll just say [what I want] because I want to be able to socialise and eat with everybody I don't want autism to hold me back."
Christine also shared that discussing her condition has become one of her most comfortable topics of conversation. She said: "When I'm talking about autism it's almost well-rehearsed now because I've done it so many times, and it's my most comfortable topic. I struggle more in a normal social setting where there is a group of girls just catching up about their day and work and life. That's where I'd be feeling uncomfortable and sit quiet, not sure what to say. I think what most people find OK is what I struggle with."
* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can report any errors to webhomepage@mirror.co.uk
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