Frankie Bridge, well-known as a panellist on ITV’s Loose Women and a former member of The Saturdays,
has candidly discussed her struggles with “mum guilt” after taking time away from her children.
Married to former England footballer Wayne Bridge since 2014, Frankie and her husband share two sons, Parker and Carter.
Over the years, she has been open about her personal battles, particularly regarding her experiences with depression.
In a past interview, she praised Wayne for his unwavering support, revealing that he made the effort to understand her condition and stayed in touch with her doctors.
Recently, Frankie appeared on Hits Radio with Fleur East, where she delved into the pressures mothers face when they take time for themselves.
The singer and television personality reflected on how mothers often experience guilt regardless of their choices.
“Every mum feels it, no matter what they do,” she explained. “I just went on holiday with a friend for four days, and my husband, Wayne, encouraged me to go. He told me, ‘You need to do this—just go away, relax, read a book, get early nights, and take time for yourself.’”
Despite his encouragement, Frankie admitted she struggled to embrace the idea of taking time for herself. “It was really difficult for me to accept and actually do it,” she said, acknowledging that she still battled with feelings of guilt.
However, the criticism she faced online made the experience even more challenging. When she shared moments from her trip, some people questioned her choices as a mother.
“Women were asking, ‘How does your husband feel about you not being home?’ or ‘How do your kids feel?’ That’s what gets me—it’s women saying this to other women. Why are we still bringing each other down instead of lifting each other up?” Frankie expressed with frustration.
Although she has learned to ignore criticism about her appearance or fashion choices, she admitted that remarks about her parenting struck a nerve. “The minute people bring up my kids, I find it really hard because the guilt is already there. I felt bad about being away, but I was also getting to the point where I could finally relax.”
Frankie believes that societal expectations play a significant role in these feelings, suggesting that women are conditioned to believe they should always be at home with their families. “It’s a long-learned belief that we should only want one thing in life—to be at home. But that’s just not true.”
Her comments sparked a strong reaction online, with many fans rallying behind her. The Instagram post featuring her interview was captioned, “A reminder to all mums that you NEED that break.”
Supportive messages flooded the comment section. Fellow radio host Fleur East chimed in, “Such a shame we don’t lift each other up more and encourage other mothers. We need to share the love more.”
Another user, @stephhill2020, wrote, “Guilt-free breaks… imagine!!!” while @haveyouseenwhatsheeats added, “You do you, my love. The people tearing you down are jealous, and that’s on them, not you.”
Frankie’s words have resonated with many parents who face the same challenges. Her honesty about navigating motherhood while maintaining a career and personal life sheds light on an issue many mothers experience but rarely discuss openly.
Her discussion also highlights the importance of allowing parents, especially mothers, to take time for themselves without feeling guilty. The conversation continues to spark debate, but one thing is clear—Frankie Bridge’s message is one that many women needed to hear.
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