Interview: Nell McAndrew
 She started out as the body behind Lara Croft, then made her name as a glamour model, before surviving I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!. Now Nell McAndrew is ten months into what she describes as her hardest job ever - motherhood. Raisingkids Editor Catherine Hanly talked to her about sleepless nights and losing the baby weight.
RK: You're talking to us today in your role as spokesperson for the Rupert Bear Woodland Trust Tree Initiative. Are you the outdoors type?
NM: When I was young we were always outside, I suppose nowadays kids are more into their computers. But now that I'm a mum I'm much more aware of family activities. I'm always taking my baby out to the park. He just loves being out and I want to make sure he's used to being outdoors. As he grows older I want to teach him about conservation so this initiative lets kids be part of the future by logging trees on the Trust's website and protecting them for years to come.
RK: So where's your favourite place to go when you need some fresh air?
NM: I'm really lucky because I've got the best of both worlds. I'm based back up North now, I lived in London for years, but now I'm in Yorkshire. I'm surrounded by greenery and I can always go up to the Lake District or the Yorkshire Dales if I want to get away from it completely. But I spend most of the week down in London. But even though I'm in the city I'm always in Hyde Park. As soon as you get there you just feel yourself unwind.
RK: You're now a mum to Devon (10 months) - how are you finding parenthood?
NM: It's really hard but amazing. The best thing I've ever done. I'm just going to be tired for the rest of my life.
RK: Is he a good sleeper?
NM:
He doesn't sleep very well at all, so I've not had a full night's sleep since he was born. But I've just got used to it.
RK: It looks as though you're pretty busy at the moment. What do you do about childcare?
NM: I'm lucky that he comes everywhere with me – that's the only way I've been able to deal with it. I've also got my mum helping me – so this morning while I'm working she took him to the park for me. The other mornings I take him to soccertots and Sing and Sign. I'm lucky I've got the choice – other people have got fixed hours and maybe can't take the baby with them.
| 'I was supposed to go to a body pump class the day I gave birth! But yes, exercise made a huge difference.' |
RK: You got back into shape remarkably quickly after the birth - do you have any cunning tips?
NM: Well, I exercised right up until the baby. I was even supposed to go to a body pump class the day I gave birth! I was busy texting everyone to say 'I gave birth' and they were saying – we'll see you next week. It was all out front – from the back you couldn't tell I was pregnant. But yes, exercise made a huge difference. Even now I think that all the training I did over the years – the fitness level I was at before I had the baby – has all helped me to cope.
RK: This campaign is all about tree-hugging. How are you going to try and get that message across to Devon when he's older?
NM: Paul and I keep saying we're going to try and set aside a day every week where we go for a long walk into the country and take in the scenery. You take for granted what's on your doorstep – you end up being so busy rushing around you don't get a chance to enjoy it. Having a little boy as he gets older that's going to make me want to do it more. He loves watching trees. I play Baby Mozart as he gazes out at the leaves blowing in the wind. He's already got the message!
Nell McAndrew was speaking to Raisingkids in her role as spokesperson for the Rupert Bear Woodland Trust's Ancient Tree Hunt. To find out how to get you and your family involved, click here.
|
