Zoe Ball talks baby brain, age-gaps and how to embarrass your children

There’s a big age gap between your children what are the advantages?

We all waited a long time for another child and a brother or sister for Woody, who is 9 – and I wished it could have been quicker, but it wasn’t to be. Then, we both gave up alcohol, and lo and behold, I was pregnant a month later! I wouldn’t have chosen to wait, but seeing Woody with her now, is an absolute joy. He’ll do anything for her, and she already adores him – they’re friends for life.

This time around you’re an ‘older’ mum – how does that feel?

I’m a lot more relaxed – and much more together. Most of all though is that I know to treasure every single moment, because they grow up so fast.

How do you juggle work and childcare?

We have an amazing ‘Mary Poppins’ who helps take care of us - things can be a bit haphazard when Norman is touring, and I tend to get work in blocks, then none at all. And we have a lovely maternity nurse who is helping us get Nelly into a routine, so I’m lucky to have a lot of support – although I’m only working 2 days a week at the moment, so tend to do most of it myself.

What makes you a good mum?

I’m creative –always playing silly games. And I’m terrible at singing, but I’ve got a big repertoire (laughs). Only yesterday, I was doing my rendition of the ‘Lambeth Walk’ – and I do a great ‘On Mother Kelly’s doorstep’ because my little girl is called Nelly. And, I’m very good at Lego.

And what could you do better?

I do tend to get a bit fraught sometimes, but that’s where Norman’s great - he can tell when I’m on edge and just steps in and takes Nelly off my hands. And he does all the cooking.

How do you keep in shape?

It’s so important for mums to take care of themselves –with a young baby it’s easy to focus so much on feeding them that you forget about yourself. If I don’t eat properly I get headaches and feel exhausted, so breakfast is important – I make sure I at least have a bowl of Shreddies with yoghurt and fruit in the morning.

Weight is an issue for new mums. It’s not important to me to have a six pack – I put on 4 ½ stone when I was pregnant and I’d like to lose it, but I’m not going to starve myself.

What’s your proudest parenting moment?

I’ve got a photo on my phone, of Woody cuddling Nelly – Norman and I just stood over them and it was amazing, I’m welling up even talking about it. Just to be able to say ‘my children’ is wonderful – it’s the best feeling in the world. They’re what my life is about now. Of course, I still want to work and I still have a life, but they are what brings joy to my life.

Most embarrassing moment?

Hmm. I can be useless sometimes, like when I forget Woody’s guitar – but I have embarrassed him quite a lot. On sports day Norman ran in the dads race, and didn’t perform well, and I was told in no uncertain terms not to attempt the mums race - and he was absolutely mortified when I did ‘Strictly!’

Does ‘baby brain’ really exist?

Yes! The other day I was changing Nelly’s nappy and had completely forgotten I was on the phone – I suddenly heard this voice reminding me that I’d been in the middle of booking a holiday!

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Finally, what would be your top tip to other mums?

I think ‘take the time.’ All those times you say ‘in a minute’ – just do it! We’re so busy, but you never get that time again. And learn to ‘count’ – when you find yourself getting cross try to laugh a little bit, because they’re not deliberately naughty, you’re just tired. When you laugh, they respond so much better.