Ashley James admits motherhood is a “journey” and says she understands how parents struggle.
The This Morning star has never shied away from campaigning for equal rights and has even been invited to the Houses of Parliament as part of her quest. Ashley, 37, is known for holding her own and being vocal about her beliefs and even more so since becoming a parent.
Now, she has opened up about her own experiences and explained she knows how parents struggle to balance motherhood with work due to the system. Ashley is mum to daughter Ada, One, and son Alfie, three, with her husband Tommy Andrews. “Motherhood is definitely a journey”, she exclusively told the Mirror. Ashley went on to add: “I think the reason that so many of us struggle is not because of our babies and the bond we have with our babies but because we’re almost trying to do the impossible, in a system that doesn’t necessarily support us, or in a system that hasn’t really evolved since the days that the majority of us were housewives.
” Even if you look at the school hours versus working hours and the cost of childcare, there are so many barriers. I think it’s really hard, even working all day, you just have to keep going. I feel in a really good place with motherhood and I feel like they’ve become part of my drive to fight for equality and to fight for positive change. “
The TV star went on to add:” Not just for my daughter but also for my son, if you look at toxic masculinity and sexist attitudes, I don’t want him to ever feel he can’t be himself. I want him to grow up respecting women and bringing it back to football, if he ever decides that he is into football, getting to see women represented, not just as players and the Lionesses but as commentators and sport, all of this is helping men see women in their spaces. “
Ashley has joined forces with The FA and Barclays for their Biggest Ever Football Session to promote The FA’s equal access in school goal. Speaking about the partnership, Ashley commented:” I am very vocal in my desire for equality, for women and girls to have the same opportunities.
“When I learnt about The FA’s campaign, I found it really interesting, now that I have a son and a daughter, I started about the Biggest Ever Football Session happening and wanted to get on board and help and fight the amazing work that they’re doing”. Growing up in a football mad family, attending Newcastle games, Ashley admits that she never saw any female faces in the sport and it had never crossed her mind that one day, we would be celebrating women’s football.
“You see the Lionesses getting their credit, you see football stadiums around the country with women’s games being supported”, she stated. This is a role close to Ashley’s heart as she’s also an ambassador for Girlguiding, with statistics showing that 28% of girls between seven and 10 say doing well in sports boosts their confidence.
“I was with a few four to eight-year-old-girls on a shoot and they were saying it in their innocent ways that football for them is the most exciting thing about being a girl and they’re most proud that they get to do that in schools is amazing”, she commented. Nowadays, TV viewers see more women fronting major TV shows, with the likes of Cat Deeley hosting This Morning and more women in careers that had been predominantly male spaces, including astronauts.
But what women inspire Ashley on International Women’s Day? While she says there’s not one women in particular, she praises Michelle Obama for being “uplifting”. She added: “Cat Deeley, who I’m lucky enough to do This Morning with, I was such a fan of hers from a young age, I find her really inspirational, watching how competent and incredible she is as a presenter, whilst also being incredibly down to earth and chatting to every single person, from whether they work on This Morning or if they’re a guest.
” I think there’s so many amazing women. Even my daughter, she’s a huge inspiration, she sees the joy in everything – I always say she was born happy. “
Girlguiding is the UK’s largest youth organisation dedicated completely to girls, where they can be themselves, get creative, explore, and have fun. Visit girlguiding. org. uk for information on how to sign your child up or become a volunteer. The FA, in collaboration with Barclays, held the Biggest Ever Football Session (BEFS), across schools up and down the country yesterday. The day in the calendar is central to The FA’s equal access in school ambition. You can find out more information here.
Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs onTikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTubeandThreads.
Source: Mirror
Leave a Reply