Reality star Ferne McCann opens up on the challenges of being a working mum-of-two and why life in the spotlight is a constant “juggle”
WORDS: JEN PHARO PHOTOS: ANNA FOWLER
FAMILY MATTERS
She’s got a beautiful family, a TV career and runs her own business – but Ferne McCann still says women “can’t have it all”.
Ferne, who is mum to Sunday, six, and Finty, eight months, is sharing her opinion after performer Lily Allen unleashed a tidal wave of debate by saying, “My children ruined my career. I love them and they complete me, but in terms of pop stardom, they totally ruined it.”
Lily went on to add, “I get really annoyed when people say you can have it all because, quite frankly, you can’t.”
Like Lily, Ferne, 33, is juggling her family and her livelihood and keeping as many plates spinning as she can. However, Ferne agrees it’s not possible to have a happy family and to do everything she wants to do in her showbiz career.
“Here’s where I sit, we can’t have it all,” says Ferne, her face turning serious. “Something has to give. Every single day I drop one of those spinning plates. Whether it’s not being able to shower, forgetting Sunday’s tennis racquet, or being late for one of Finty’s naps… We would be superwomen if we could have hot careers and raise children. I get Lily Allen, I’m no pop star but I feel very fortunate that, for a part of my career, I’ve been able to include my children.”
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.
“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 Lily, 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
