Being a TV mother is remarkably similar to being a regular mother, Billie Shepherd soon becomes clear to her.
Whether it’s trying to get her three kids to eat more vegetables, or stay off their screens and sleep through the night, while grabbing time for herself to work and exercise, Billie’s experience of motherhood to Nelly, 10, Arthur, seven, and Margot, two, will sound familiar to other women in the parenting trenches. “We’re up early – we’re awake at 6am as soon as the baby’s up. Then we’re downstairs. Gregg only tells us, “I get the uniforms ready and Greg does breakfast.”
What’s her Instagram handle on the mix of chic and glamour? “When I want to look nice I’ll make the time, but day to day, I’m very casual and just want to be comfortable. I’m just literally in leggings, a sweatshirt, minimal make-up and hair in a bun. I occasionally think, “I should have done my hair! I should have looked at myself while filming Family Diaries!”
The Shepherds’ family life was documented in Billie andamp; Greg’s documentary Family Diaries, which was broadcast on ITV from their terrifying first encounter with baby Margot who had febrile seizures and was taken to the hospital. After six seasons, the couple called it quits at the end of last year.
“We’ve had the best 10 years of filming”, Billie, 35, says. We’ve always said it’s time to call it a day when Nelly enters secondary school, but we just wanted to make sure we had a good time and were on a high. I want the kids to do whatever they want them to do without being concerned about the pressure of filming. Secondary school is a significant increase due to a number of factors, so we made the right choice.
The Mummy Diaries, Billie’s reality show with her sister Sam Faiers, which Billie appeared in before joining the regular cast of series two, was a spin-off of The Only Way Is Essex. Nelly, Billy’s oldest daughter, made her television debut on TOWIE in 2014 just a few weeks old.
Billie recalls the break that brought a young woman from Brentwood to our screens as TOWIE prepares for its 15th anniversary. “I’m always so grateful for the TOWIE days”, she says. “It was so much fun. I was pregnant with Nelly toward the end of the show, and she was still with me despite being a newborn.
” My part in it was very low key – I never had a relationship on there, I didn’t have all the drama and it’s been amazing. The opportunities on the back of that show will forever be grateful to me.
Many of TOWIE’s stars have become household names, from Mark Wright, who’s expecting his first child with actress wife Michelle Keegan, to Pete Wicks, who became the nation’s crush with his turn on Strictly, or Gemma Collins who has been accorded national treasure status for her larger than life” GC “persona.
“I’m not surprised because many of us were looking for ways to make money, be successful, and provide for our platforms, so why not pursue it and create careers out of it?” “Billie says”. And a lot of us have, which is fantastic. “
It’s Billie’s down-to-earth personality allied with her Essex glamour that makes her so enjoyable to watch, as well as her all-too-normal wrestles with the usual battles of a busy home life.
She says she is concerned about the nutrition of children because she is currently working with GoGo squeeZ to promote healthier eating habits, outdoor play, and quality family time.
” I’m really lucky I don’t have fussy eaters, “she says”. We have a few classics in our house, including chicken casserole and chicken vegetable noodle soup, which they both adore.
Nelly has grown fussier as she ages, but as kids get older, their preferences change and they become more picky about what they want and don’t want. Every day for school, I give them a fruit snack or fruit pouch; however, they are forbidden from doing anything else. Like all kids, they want their treats, and they do have them after school as well.
” I never, ever buy sweets. I’ll let them have sweets at parties when there are them, but I’m not one of those parents who won’t let them have anything.
However, she is affected by the current debate about ultra-processed food. I’m trying to be a bit organised with food, but I’m so much more aware of it now, more than four, five, six years ago.
“I think I’ve definitely become much more aware of my children’s health and what they’re eating, especially since Margot was born. I’ve been consistent about giving them their vitamins – vitamin D, iron, all that sort of stuff. When Nelly and Arthur were younger, I believe I wasn’t as regimented with it.
You need to spend a little more time on the world we live in right now. You want your children to be as healthy as possible and at their best. I’m finding myself going down a rabbit hole with Instagram to read and study how food affects our daily lives and health, so I’m more informed now.
Billie will never take sleep for granted. Nelly didn’t sleep until she was four and that’s no joke. It was really tough. I think now because I’m 10 years older, I don’t think I could cope. I’d be in bits because everyone needs some rest. My kids are doing really well now, and Margot has been sleeping until 6am since she was 2 years old.
Where does she stand on screens”? After school and clubs, children are permitted to use their screens after 6pm, according to a rule we have in place. Otherwise, it can go on and on because we created that rule. It’s so hard at this time of year – in summer, they barely go on screens as we are out in the garden. “
Like most children, YouTube is their viewing platform of choice, with Arthur watching” football stuff “and Nelly engrossed in horseriding accounts”. It’s not bad, in the grand scheme of things, “Billie admits”. It’s crucial for us parents to spend quality time with them. With work it sometimes doesn’t switch off until eight or nine o’clock, with messages back and forth. However, I told Greg that we should put our phones down so that we can practice what we preach. Let’s have that quality time with them. “
Social media is the next area to navigate, complicated by the children’s own presence on our TV screens since they were babies”. Nelly is 10 years old and has social media accounts with friends. She knows it’s a ‘ no ‘ from me, but because she knows it’s my industry, I’m open and honest about it. I tell her that while some people may be cruel, they can be amazing places to find inspiration and information.
The couple are currently allowing themselves some breathing room while figuring out their next move. Greg started a new property development company after acquiring their family home while Greg got the property bug. However, Billie wants to make another appearance on television. I’ve got a busy work year, “she says”. I’m putting in some time into myself while some new projects are in progress. I’d love to do more TV, so watch this space. “
GoGo squeeZ, the kids ‘ fruit smoothie snack, has teamed up with Billie and experts to support better nutrition for children. Download the squeeZ The Day Report on gogosqueez for tips. co. uk
Source: Mirror
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