19 March 2024 , 10:17
380
0
Ferne McCann was left stunned when her six-year-old daughter Sunday recently asked her: "Am I famous?"
Sunday has featured in Ferne's ITV reality shows ever since her mum fell pregnant and started filming Ferne McCann: First Time Mum. "When she asked me, I felt really uncomfortable," admitted Ferne.
"Even though Sunday has been in the public eye ever since I was pregnant, we have arrived at this chapter now and this one really stopped me in my tracks. I didn't know how to answer it because it's just been part of our lives."
The question emerged after Sunday's friends started to realise their classmate was on TV. Now Sunday is beginning to have her own ideas and opinions, Ferne is careful to listen to what her daughter wants. "She's got her own views, her own opinions and her own feelings," says Ferne. "She's vocal if she doesn't want to film, she won't. We respect that."
Ferne is grateful she can take her daughters to work with her when she's on photoshoots or doing TV appearances and her reality show, Ferne McCann: My Family And Me, is returning for its 12th series on 28 March. However, she has made countless sacrifices to be around for her children and said "no" to both social and work events.
Pregnant Stacey Solomon brands herself an 'old fogy' over NYE plans with Joe
Ferne is mum to Finty and Sunday (Mike Marsland/Getty Images for L)
Ferne revealed she feels lucky both she and Lorri can work from home"I've been really fortunate, but lots of opportunities have come by that I've had to decline because I have children. In this chapter in my life right now, I have made the decision to exclusively breastfeed Finty and I want to do that until she's one. But I've had to miss out on loads of things that I've wanted to do. So no, we can't have it all and things do have to go on hold."
Ferne's girls are her world and she doesn't resent spending time with Sunday and Finty over advancing her career. Like with Sunday, she wants to be as present as she can. "This is the chapter of 'motherhood', and it's also OK to pick motherhood," says Ferne. "I love my kids, but I don't want to lose my identity. I want to be present with my children, but I don't want to give up my career."
Ferne's work affords her children a comfortable lifestyle, but money isn't the only reason she maintains her career. "I'm working for their future, but I think it's OK to say I'm also doing it for myself," says Ferne. "Maybe an event that I have to go to for work is that time a mother needs to find herself again. We know that mothers can feel like they lose their identity after having children."
Series 11 of Ferne's ITVBe show saw the birth of baby Finty, and now series 12 follows her adjusting to life as an exhausted mother-of-two. "It is a juggle," said Ferne. "Finty and Sunday both have different needs, Sunday is learning to read and has spellings and homework, and I have a lot of sleepless nights with Finty. She'd be perfect in every way if she slept, but yeah, it's fun!"
This second turn at motherhood is also different for Ferne as she's no longer a single mum. Her fiancé Lorri Haines is very much involved with raising both children, as well as his son from a previous relationship who visits every other weekend. "I wanted to share that experience with someone," says Ferne. "Lorri's so hands-on. It's great that we both work from home, too, because we have so many moments with her and we're not missing out."
Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on , , , , , and .