Helen Skelton on importance of ‘me-time’ as a mum and lowering your own parenting standards: ‘Be selfish, you’re allowed’-Emily Bashforth-Entertainment – Metro

Helen Skelton has spoken candidly about mum guilt and how she makes time for herself while parenting young kids.

The Strictly Come Dancing star has had quite the time of things recently, after splitting with husband Richie Myler following eight years of marriage and three children together.

Helen announced in April that her ex had ‘left the family home,’ four months after she gave birth.

The Countryfile presenter’s home life has been making headlines again as of late, with it being reported that ex Richie is expecting a baby with his new girlfriend.

But despite all the noise, Helen is trying to look after herself and switch off – something she says being part of the glitzy BBC dance show helps with.

Speaking on Lorraine with host Ranvir Singh and doctor Amir Khan as part of a self-care campaign, the former Blue Peter presenter dished out advice to a fellow busy mum.

Helen is urging other mums to be ‘selfish’ and have some time to themselves (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)

The former Blue Peter presenter’s advice is to ‘lower the standards’ (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)

‘When you’ve got plate-spinning, you feel guilty for taking time out for yourself. I’m always in the privileged position that my work is my me-time, Strictly is the ultimate me-time, but I go, “Oh it’s work, so it’s fine,” but it does mean you come back to the kids totally recharged so I hope we can encourage you to not feel guilty,’ she told her.

‘You’re allowed… grab those moments for yourself, five, 10 minutes here and there. Be selfish, you’re allowed.’

Offering more words of wisdom and being relatable as ever, the TV star added: ‘Lower the standards. My kids do not always go to school in fully-ironed school uniforms but do you know what, they’re gonna be alright!’

Helen and husband Richie Myler split in April this year (Picture: Dave M. Benett/Getty Images)

Helen then stressed the importance of ‘setting boundaries’ and saying no: ‘No is a complete sentence.’

Her appearance on the daytime show follows a successful weekend on Strictly with partner Gorka Marquez.

Despite not topping the leaderboard with their Spanish-themed paso doble, the couple sailed through to week five on the public vote.

The couple parent three young children, with Helen giving birth four months before Richie ‘left the family home’ (Picture: Instagram)

Following their dance and mixed feedback from the judges, pro Gorka had his own words of advice for an emotional Helen, urging her to have some more self-belief.

Being the ultimate cheerleader in what many viewers reckon was a ‘dig’ at Helen’s ex-husband, Gorka began: ‘Can I just say something? I know you [Helen] have been having a difficult time and I know you’ve been made to feel like you’re not beautiful or good enough or anything, but if you don’t believe in yourself, I believe in you.’

She’s currently living her best life on the Strictly dancefloor alongside pro partner Gorka Marquez (Picture: PA)

‘Everybody here believes in you, your family believes in you,’ he added sweetly, with the audience bursting into applause and cheers.

He continued: ‘It doesn’t matter how many times I say it or the judges say it, you are the one who needs to make the change and believe in you, because you are a very inspirational woman and amazing mum and a brilliant dancer.’

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Helen clearly wasn’t expecting the praise from her partner, but fans at home couldn’t help but melt over his kind comments.

The duo will be hoping for a triumph once again next week when they dance the Charleston to Helen’s beloved Blue Peter theme tune in the BBC centenary special.

Lorraine airs weekdays at 9am on ITV.

Strictly Come Dancing airs Saturday and Sunday on BBC.

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