TV personality Scarlett Moffatt says she is no longer “overly self-critical” of herself or her body as motherhood has changed her perspective on her “whole life”.
In fact, the 35-year-old, who lives with her fiance Scott Dobinson and three-year-old son Jude in County Durham, now views her body as “amazing”.
Moffatt, who is currently expecting another baby boy, tells the Press Association: “I’m so much more chilled, I’m so much more mellow.
“I just think, as long as Jude is happy and healthy, then we can get through anything together.
“Even the way that I look at my own body. I think I used to be overly self-critical, especially in my 20s, which I think is a time when, as women, we’re comparing ourselves to other people.
“Whereas now, I just find it amazing that my body housed and fed a child. I look at him now and he’s thriving, and then I’m making a new one.
“I think you just have to give yourself a bit of grace.”
Moffatt’s ideal self-care day would start with a lie-in, especially as she is currently struggling to sleep in her third trimester of pregnancy.
She says her house is her “happy place” but, outside of this, she loves doing activities with Jude, such as swimming or dancing.
She also enjoys doing what she calls “maintenance”.
“It brings me joy, doing things like getting my nails done and getting my eyebrows done,” she explains.
“That monthly maintenance day, where I’m like, ‘Oh, I’m not tired, I just needed my eyebrows plucking’.”
In the evenings, Moffatt enjoys having a hot bath when she can and she likes “watching comfort things” – even if she has seen the show or film “a million times” already.
“Doesn’t matter what time of year it is, I will watch The Holiday,” says the former I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! winner.
Moffatt says she is “always running around” in her day-to-day life and she struggles with her work-life balance.
She enjoys cooking in the evenings to wind down – with her signature dish being spaghetti bolognese – and says the family “always sit down and and eat together”.
However, striking the right balance between work and her personal life comes with its challenges.
“If someone ever finds the combination of having a work-life balance, I think they’d make a fortune because I just honestly don’t think it exists,” she says.
“For me, personally, I just take each day as a separate day… I have to take each day as a different entity because otherwise you can get wrapped up in guilt. You can think, ‘Oh no, am I away too much?’
“So, I think, for me, as long as we’re all happy that day, it’s fine.”
Moffatt tries to say “kind words” to herself and Jude as much as possible.
She even listens to Snoop Dogg’s “affirmations for kids” and would advise others to “join in and sing along”.
Moffatt, who has featured in Gogglebox, CelebAbility and Scarlett’s Driving School, hopes this sets a good example for her son – and she says it helps with her own body confidence and positivity.
“If I’m looking in the mirror or if I’m getting ready – this sounds big-headed, but it is for a reason – I’ll say, ‘Oh, mam looks really pretty today. Oh, Jude looks really lovely today, he looks strong’,” she says.
“I think, even that, is a good thing for your wellbeing. If Jude always hears that we’re talking about each other and ourselves in a nice way, hopefully he copies that and always does that.”
Outside of work and family, Moffatt says spending time with friends at least once a week and having “adult chat” helps her reset.
“I honestly think, for me, if I’m talking about my own wellbeing, it’s making sure that I see my friends,” she explains.
“I think, sometimes, especially as parents, we get into this trap of thinking that basic hygiene is self-care. Actually, no, having a shower or having a long bath on a night, we are entitled to that.
“For me, it’s definitely seeing my friends… And having a natter for an hour.
“That adult chat then replenishes me for the week and I’m like, ‘Right, I can be Mr Tumble again now and be the kids’ entertainer’, because I’ve had a top-up of adult chat.”
In the summer, Moffatt finds looking after her wellbeing easier, as she can “go for walks” and “move more”. Near home, she says she is “inundated with lovely forests” and she loves “going on adventures” with Jude.
For Moffatt, she says it is often the simple things that bring children joy.
“Some of my core memories with Jude are us literally sitting in the garden and dancing away,” she says.
“Or, when I was a kid, me and my cousins used to put on talent shows.
“I think we don’t have to be doing so much to still enjoy life.
“We just have to, again, take each day as it comes and just don’t compare yourself, because kids just want to be seen and loved.”
This summer, Google Gemini has teamed up with Moffatt to launch Gemidorm, showing how Gemini can help parents recreate the best bits of a holiday at home without breaking the bank.
According to new research, 82% of parents feel pressure to entertain their children during the summer holidays, while 78% struggle to find activities that work for different ages, interests or energy levels.
For Moffatt, she says parents do not have to spend a fortune to create lovely memories with their children – and she has found joy just being outside with Jude.
“I actually used Google Gemini to help, but we went in the garden and we were hunting for hedgehogs,” she says.
“Then, we were just getting stuff to make hedgehog houses and, it sounds silly, but you can have so much fun just with a twig or a stick. It’s amazing how much fun you can have with a stick, especially boys.
“Jude just loves it. I think that’s his favourite thing ever. Or, a cardboard box, and then you can make it into different things.
“The price doesn’t equate to the amount of happiness that will be gained.”
Google has partnered with Scarlett Moffatt to launch its new Gemidorm campaign, showing parents how Gemini can take the pressure out of the summer holidays. To find out more, download the Gemini app on Android or iOS, or visit gemini.google.com.
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