The Netmums Podcast - 6: Motherhood and mayhem: Charlotte Dawson on life with three under five

Episode Date: December 8, 2025

*Sensitive content warning - a conversation around baby loss features in this episode In this final episode of Cloud 9, the Netmums podcast miniseries brought to you by Aldi Mamia, we are thrilled to welcome Charlotte Dawson, a familiar face from your social media feed and TV screen. Charlotte, mum to three little ones, Noah, Jude, and baby Gigi, shares with us her journey through the whirlwind of motherhood and how she juggles a toddler, a preschooler, and a newborn! In this episode: - Charlotte's experience with pregnancy and childbirth, including her unfortunate miscarriage after her first Noah.  - The importance of community support and the emotional load of motherhood - Navigating the pressures of social media while being a mum - Tips for finding moments of self-care amidst the chaos Enjoyed this one? There are six episodes in the series, featuring honest conversations with mums you know and love – Olivia Bowen, Lacey Turner and Katie Thistleton included. Happy binge-listening! This episode is sponsored by Aldi Mamia, the award-winning baby range loved by parents. Netmums – where real parents share the chaos and the comfort, so you know you’re not in it alone. Follow us on socials @Netmums and website:netmums.com  Proudly produced by Decibelle Creative / @decibelle_creative

Welcome to Cloud 9, the Netmoms podcast mini-series brought to you by Aldi Mamma, created especially for those quiet early hours of parenthood. If you're listening right now with a baby in your arms, maybe in the middle of the night, maybe running on very little sleep, this one's for you. Cloud 9 is here to remind you that you're not alone. I'm Louise Burke, the editor-director of Netmums, and during this special series, I'll be chatting to some of our favourite well-neutral. know mums about the highs and the lows of those early days because we know parenting can be

messy and magical all at once and as always as we say at netmums we're all in this together that's what netmoms is here for we're here to help i mean we even give away free aldi mammy and newborn nappies to new moms go to netmoms.com now to claim yours today i'm joined by someone who brings joy energy by the bucket load and honesty to everything she's She does, the brilliant Charlotte Dawson. You'll know Charlotte from TV, from X on the Beach, and of course from a huge online community where she shares the chaos, comedy and the realities of mum life with that trademark Dawson humour. Charlotte is mummed to three gorgeous little ones, Noah who's four, Jude who's two and Baby Gigi, who arrived just eight months ago.

She's here today to talk about life as a mum of three, how she's juggling, a toddler, a preschooler, and a baby and what those first weeks with Gigi were really like. We'll also chat about the emotional load, the hormonal rollercoaster and how she feels being family CEO of five. So welcome Charlotte and special guest Gigi. She's so excited. Oh, Gigi's eight months. Is that right? Look at those smiles. She is honestly the most happiest little contentious. cherub ever. I saw on your Insta Charlotte that you said the moment Gigi was born was the moment that you've been dreaming of for a long time. Oh gosh yeah. I mean I've always like obviously my boys are my everything but I think every woman would like just loves a little girl because I'm so

close to my mum so I think having that like hello. She's got stuff to say clearly. Look, it's like she can hear me saying, but yeah. But yeah, no, it's, I'm so close to mine and I think my mum always said to me, I just love you to have a little girl because I'd love you, I'd love you to have that relationship, what we have. So that's kind of what I've always wanted. And, like, honestly, I'm so glad I have, sorry, my washing's going, when it sings to you. Honest to God. I hear that sound in my sleep. Yeah, I do. My washing machine is on an, on, on. So much in my house that that's going off the whole time.

It's constant, isn't it? As soon as you wake me, it's like a programme done we to put it on. Yes, we are. I have lots of washing because of you, cheeky monkey. So you've got your baby girl, which is what you always wanted. Obviously, you've done this twice before. Has this third time been any different? Yes. I mean, every pregnancy and every birth is different, isn't it? like the first one you know

I mean I've always wanted to be a mum but I didn't expect it to happen like in lockdown and stuff I mean I think I think people either either got divorced had a baby or lost the plot in lockdown to be quite honest or all three

yeah all three I definitely lost the plot at first and I mean I think everybody was just going to the shop and getting wine it was like it was on a big holiday wasn't it and then me and it was a very parallel universe experience, wasn't it? Yeah, it was like something out of a film, wasn't it?

Like a weird horror film. But, yeah, it wasn't right. It was weird. And then, but I'm actually quite glad because obviously then we had Noah. And it was an amazing experience because I just enjoyed my pregnancy because I was just chilled at home. But the only thing what really upset me, obviously, I didn't get to see my friends and family, which was not nice.

But it was just having that time to kind of, have a minute, wasn't it? Like, enjoy the pregnancy, and I really enjoyed my pregnancy, and then I got gestational diabetes. So that kind of threw me a little bit, because you know me, I love a good old chalky and a chips and graver.

Why not? Yeah, I love all things like that. I love all things that make you feel sexy and satisfied in your belly. So that kind of upset me. Obviously, it was around Christmas time, so I couldn't have chocolate and stuff like that, So that was awful. So I went through all that.

And then my birth with Noah was, I had like, you know, you always have like a bit of a birthing plan, don't you? I mean, I just wanted to go in. I was, I was just obviously went for the natural birth. I was like, I did want the section because obviously you just don't know what to expect, do you? And it's a scary, scary experience. So I went for hitting a birthday and that kind of like, calm me down and just realize that this is what, this is what we're designed to do as women.

You know, we can give birth. from our fanjitans. So I was like, right, I've just got to get my head around it. I can do this. I can climb Kilimanjaro. I can do anything. I can't believe I've actually climbed Kilimanjaro,

can you. Amazing. I mean, I copied Cheryl Cole because I was Cheryl Cole's biggest fan. And I was like, yeah, is inspired by Shez O'Cole. And my dad did a lot of work with the Red Cross. So I really wanted to do it for the Red Cross.

And then so I thought, right, if I can climb Kilamandjaro, I can give birth. So I went into the labour thinking, you know, everything's going to be fine. And then I had an epidural and it kind of threw me like I couldn't feel the push. And it just slowed everything down. And then I had to have a four-set delivery with Noah. So it kind of went out the window.

I had this like chilled birth of birth plan. I had like, I had that lovely light that you get, you know, that with all the stars on and you have your music on. It just went well out the window. So I had the four sets. So my legs were in stirrups and I didn't even know they were up there because I couldn't feel anything. So I looked up and went,

oh, can I have that again? I mean, you can't ask for a four-scent, darling. So that birth was obviously quite traumatic in a way. So I was a bit nervous about having another baby, if I'm completely honest. And then I got pregnant again with my second one. but then I lost it, unfortunately. Yeah, I'm sorry about it.

Yeah, I mean, it's, you know, it happens, doesn't it? And it was really sad because we obviously told Noah and it was only early because I always find out me at one to two weeks every time. Right. And so it's always very early that I find out. And we told Noah and he was like, he was Jude's age now. So he was like two and a bit. And it was kind of at that age where they don't know, but they know, don't they?

So he was getting excited. And he was going, I'm going to have a brother or sister. And so it was really, really sad. And we were, like, in the process of moving back to Lithern, near my friends and family from Manchester. And then that stopped everything then. We just kind of, obviously, when I lost the baby, it was kind of like, well, we're just going to go back to the Manchester and then we'll just figure out, we'll try again and

see what happens. How many weeks were you when you lost your baby? I was 10 weeks. Yeah. And I mean, I know it's not, it's not like, it's not like, it would, it would, it would, have been a lot worse if it was a bit longer than that. Any loss. Any loss. Any loss is so sad and horrible on your body and heartbreaking. It really is. It really did break us. It really did. And then obviously it's just kind of scared you from trying again as well, doesn't it?

Because you don't want to go through all that again. So then we found a lovely house, which we're in now, back in liver. And so we obviously found it. We were like, this is for us. weren't to view it. We got the house and then I fell pregnant again. Amazing. So it all fell into place. It all fell into place.

And he was our beautiful rainbow baby and he really is like our rainbow baby. He is the cutest, cute as cheekiest little cherub he is. You say that while you've got another very cute cherub right sitting in my next year. I've got three cute cherubs.

You're just the mother of cute cherries, Charlotte. Oh, no. They're just the beautiful. Beautiful, aren't they? I mean, all children are just such a blessing, aren't they? So Jude, his birth was, so I was obviously got, I obviously got scared again because I was like, I can't, I don't know if I can go through with an natural birth. So I'm going to, I think I'm going to book the section just because of the traumaticness that I went through and this, and obviously, Noah was quite distressed as well.

I always say the root canal, it's the birth canal. I always say the root canal. The birth canal. Get the right end. Not the roofing out. Not your teeth. Wrong end. Yeah, wrong end, wrong end.

So I was really scared, booked him for the section, and then he came naturally. Yeah. And quickly. Yeah. Really quick. My waters went. And then I got into hospital and they were like, right, you start, you five cents to me. As I said, I'm having a section.

There's no way I'm having this baby natural. I was like, I can't do it. And they were like, Charlotte, you can do this, honestly. You five cent to me. is there's not a long way to go. And then Matthew went to go and get all the stuff out of the car and get his scrubs on and everything. So she was like, right, if you really want to go for the section,

we're going to have to get you down to theatre and everything. So obviously I'd never pushed a baby out because I hadn't, you know, because I didn't do it the first time. So it felt like I was having a poo. So I was like, oh, just weird feelings. And so I was like, right, what is going on here? All this water was gushing out of me. and I got to the theatre, theatre table,

and they're about to put the epidural in and I could feel his head. The baby's coming. Yeah. The baby was coming. I literally got me down on the theatre, theatre table. Very classy, not trashy. Wacked my legs open.

That was it. He was out in six minutes. When the body wants to do something, you can't stop the body. I know. Reacting. You nearly missed the birth as well. So that was a bit chaotic.

And then Gigi's birth was, oh my God, she was literally my, I felt I really could feel it. I booked a section again because I went over and they were going to induce me. And I was like, I don't want to be induced. I really want to like just have this baby naturally. But actually, there's a lot of people that have great induction stories. And you kind of always hear the negative with them, don't you?

Yeah. I think this is why we're talking today sort of having an open honest conversation because you sometimes can end up down. negative bonnie hole, whether it be like in conversations with others or looking on social media. Yeah. And so it's sometimes just really what's good to have these open conversations to keep it all in balance and all in check. Because yeah, I think like you said, nothing ever goes to plan, right? No. Nothing ever goes to plan. Since you start having children, you can't have plans. It's just no. No. No. It's not possible. No, definitely not. And you know, in even like the negative

side of like things because I was like I've heard that much negativity about being induced I just really didn't want to go with it and then hearing some lovely positive stories like on my Instagram because obviously I shared a lot of my um like obviously leading up to Gigi's birth and everything and everybody was saying I had such an amazing experience so I just you just hear so much don't you and you kind of just got to go with your gut so I book the section like I always do And so my best friend's mom actually books all the sections. So I just spoke to her into Fed's Brack. Let's just book it because she said,

I know you're going to go natural over the weekend. So I was four days late with Gigi. And the rest, I was on the day of nowhere, the day after. And then I was actually early with Jude. So I was actually expecting to go early, if I'm completely honest. So, but I was absolutely buzzing. So the day that she came was actually International Woman's Day. Oh, look at that. What a celebration.

I know. So she would actually be born on International Women's Day, which is amazing. So like my contraction started in the morning, and the midwife, obviously, they kept giving me sweet. I had about three sweeps that week. Wow. And I know. And he said, just keep moving, keep moving. You've got to, you've got to squat when you're doing the washing.

So I was squating because I was like, I thought this time I'm meant to relax. You were like, no, get up. Get moving. on your feet yeah on your feet so i went to a kids party that day we were absolutely busy was so busy all day and i had one of my friends who's a midwife actually she was feeling my tummy's from you can have this baby tonight wow so we invited everyone back here all it's all my no one's friends moms and everyone and i was like let's get a big dominoes and then we just i had to go to hospitals so everyone still in the house and my sister arrived and i was really happy

because my mum was able to come and be in this birth for Gigi. So that was lovely because no way she couldn't come because it was COVID. And Jude, it came too quick. Yeah. So I got into the actual birthing sweep. And thank God I got there when I did because my waters went at quarter past nine. I had her by half nine. Brilliant.

I love it. Look at her. Two pushes she was out. Amazing. That sounds like the most perfect birth. It was actually. It was really funny because I said to the, obviously I really wanted to like film the whole birth.

But I filmed that all lovely bits. Like my mum, my mum fanning me fangit and feeding me Percy pigs. It was great. And, you know, we were having a right laugh. Yeah, brilliant to have your mum. Yeah. And my mum and dad's like song came on on the radio.

So that was like, it was all like, we had all the feels in there and it was really relaxing. saying it was great and then obviously she came and it was just the best thing ever having but I had to give birth to my placenta I've never done that so this is we were talking about this in the office the other day I said if there was one thing that I was not prepared for with my and when my first birth was the fact that I had to give birth to a presenter I did not know that until I was doing it and I felt so stupid but so many people have said the same thing. Oh my God.

Why aren't we taught that? Why aren't we? Because obviously with my other two I never had that. So my placenta with Jew must have just come out. You know, with him or something. Unless I was that shocked. But I actually remember, they never

said like, right, we're going to give birth to your placenta now. They never said that. They said it with Gigi. And I was like, what? And oh my God, I've got a picture of it and everything. It was the weirdest thing. But I actually got my placenta made into pills and cream. I was just about to say you didn't cook with it or bury it in the ground or do something. You're actually going to make it into the pills. Yeah, I got some magic pills. Wow. And I got some cream, didn't it? And some like little

nappy cream and baby cream. It's amazing because it's so... Made from the placenta? Made, yeah, made from the placenta because it's good stuff, isn't it? Yeah, it's all highly nutritious. Yeah. And those first first few weeks home are quite an emotional roller coaster, aren't they? Like, straight after birth, you're on this crazy high with all the endorphins going wild through your body and the adrenaline. But then you've also got another, in your case, a third little human to bring home.

Yeah, and yeah. But you've been through it a couple of times before, but this time, was there anything that surprised you in those early weeks? About how quick it goes. Like I think the third one It's like wow Like I'm literally I can't believe she's eight months old

Like she's still Like really tiny Because she's still like a little baby Like she's still my little baby I'm holding on to her Because I think this is going to be my last I mean I say this I don't like on numbers

That's the problem But I don't I think like you know We've got a lovely little mix That the boys are so good with her And I think it's nice for her to be like the only girl in a way because she'll just get absolutely spoilt rotten, won't she? But it would be nice for her to have his sister, wouldn't it?

Well, watch this space. But the first few weeks, I think if I could tell myself now, would just be to just sit down and enjoy it and just relax because you're just non-stop with the other two. Yeah. Because with your first one, like I remember just like sitting and staring, at her for ages, like watching her sleep, watching, you know, watching a look at a window or watching her sat in her buggy. But when you've got other kids in the mix, yeah, you don't

have that luxury. I think it was because Jude was still so young. Like Matthew's amazing with the boys. Like he was really hands on with it. He's still, he's amazing with all of them, but really hands on with the boys, obviously. Well, I was busy with Gigi. But Noah, Noah's like, Noah's like a little old soul like you know he's a bit older and he's like he's so good with like helping me with like nappies and like that's to help but Jude was still

Jude has massively grown up since Gigi's arrived though and he you know he's so good with her he's so soft with her but you know when when I feel like when Gigi first came it was it was quite it was a bit of a nightmare

he kind of went through a bit of a sleeping regression it was quite hard work and I don't know whether he felt a little But he felt it a little bit, dude. So it was a bit of a struggle at the start. But we've really found our feet now, like Gigi sleeps through. She's amazing at sleeping. She sleeps like 13, 14 hours.

Wow. I was going to say how is sleep doing or lack of it. But actually, you say it's absolutely great. Sounds like you're doing brilliantly. And I hate them to have people and them type of moms. I really do. You're one of those now. Yeah.

You're one of them. sleeping, my baby's sleeping through all night, but I've actually turned into one of them now. But it is a lovely feeling, but, you know, don't get me wrong, I'm the problem, not the kids. I don't like, I don't like going to bed. I like, I could clean the whole house at midnight, but I can't do it in the day, do you know what I mean?

Right, right. I come alive at night, and it's really frustrating because I wish I didn't. I wish that I was a morning person, but, you know, because obviously I go to bed quite late and then I'm up in the morning I'm absolutely... Yeah, with the kids. I'm like I'm being over every day.

Yeah. Yeah, that lasts for quite a while, I'd say. I don't it does, doesn't it? You are, the way you play out life and family life on socials is brilliant. It's funny. It's entertaining. You keep it all really, life, really real

for your community online. But behind the scenes, was there, was any sort of difficult moments in those early weeks? in those first couple of months with Gigi at home. And how did you get through those times? Chips and gravy. That's my girl.

Yeah, honestly, when I'm feeling down, the only thing that can cure me is chips and gravy. Honestly, it really is. It makes me so happy. I just wish it was glittery gravy, then it'd be a bit more sparkly than you'd like. A bit more glamorous. Yeah, a bit more glamour.

If I ever got a chippy, I'd add one glittery gravy. I'm definitely. I'll definitely. I tell you what I really struggled with. We're with Jude. I struggled that first week because I was very, very overwhelmed with everybody coming around. And, you know, when people left, it was like, oh, you know, you just, it was just a lot. And I think I had a massive mum built with Noah because Noah's never been in a routine. So that's just a problem that we have now. I mean, he's in a great routine now with school and everything. because he's had to be. So he goes to bed with Matthew,

but that's also, you know, a bit of a strain on me and Matthew because we don't sleep in the same bed. I actually sleep in Noah's room. Right. And Matthew and Noah are in our room. And because I'm near the littlest one, so I'm right near them.

So if I can hear anything, I'm right near them. But it's just, yeah, so I felt really being down when I had Jude because I was so close to Noah. You don't want that, do you anymore. She's moved on now. She's moved on. I need to get you something.

Second course, please, Mom. I'm the crisps now. I'm the best. So I felt really mum guilty. I thought, I'm not as close with Noah. Is that, am I going to lose that relationship with Noah? And I think when you have a second one, you have that awful feeling of like,

how am I ever going to love another child? You know, when you're pregnant with your second one. And even with the third one, with Gigi, I was like, how am I going to love another human as much as I love the other two? And it really is true what people say, like, don't worry, when that baby is born, your heart just gets bigger and fuller, and it really is true. But I tell you, when I really struggled was five months with Gigi, the five month mark. Because I don't know what it was.

I just had this weird, like, depression just come over me. And I think because my periods had come back, I was a bit, all over the place, you know, I just felt, you know, you don't feel yourself, do you? You know, I can't get in any clothes. I was struggling. And, you know, if you see my wardrobe, it's full of fabulous outfits. And I can't ask you buy more clothes. And, you know, just little things really and just feeling a bit down. It was never Gigi, it was just myself. I thank God, I've never had, like, postnatal depression where I've really struggled with, like, a bonding, you know, bonding with the baby because I have had friends that have struggled with that and it's really

really sad. But like one of my friends had a really bad experience when she just had her baby and she couldn't bond with the baby at all. And then like six, six, seven months down the line, it was like amazing. They had an amazing experience then. It just happens in different ways. But I honestly just wanted to lock myself in the house when she was, when she was five months and just not see anyone and knock them out and not speak to anybody. But the thing is with my job, you can't do that. No, no. So how did you get through it?

And don't say chips and gravy to this one. No, I don't know. I really can't. I mean, I think I just got through it by just remembering, you know, that this is going to pass and I'm going to be able to get through this. And just, but some days I really didn't feel like that. I'm not going to lie. Like, you know, I just felt like there was no way, no way out.

And it is such an awful place to be in. I didn't want to speak to like friends and family I just couldn't be bothered at all and even like I had to just put in a brave face on for the other oh oh no I had to put like a brave face on for the other two it's okay it's okay

but my other friend actually said to me I know why I'm feeling like this I had the exact same thing at five months when her little girl was five months old So maybe there's that an actual thing like that. Does it coincide with any feeding, how you were feeding the baby? Yeah, exactly. I think there was definitely things because I'm obviously breastfeeding it.

And now I'm doing combing feeding, which is working really well. And because I'm so busy, I actually don't like pumping. I mean, I loved pumping at first. And, you know, obviously when you first time your baby, you have to pump because, oh, my God, they, you know, they bulge, don't they hurt so much. but I just it just took a toll it's really tiring pumping and it's draining isn't it breastfeeding is the most

magical experience I've ever had like I absolutely love it and one thing about me I'm so scatty I would literally forget bottles if I was on the motorway or driving somewhere so you can't forget your rudders

that's the best thing yeah that's what I used to go I used to peck the car for a week and away and just go napies wipes food yeah and grab my boobs nap is whites food boobs. I'm sorted, yeah. Exactly. You sorted on you because I would honestly be, I'd forget everything to do with milk. I really would. So you can't forget your udders,

which is great. And then, yeah, I think around that five months time, I think everything starts to change. It's getting ready for the actual solids, isn't it? Like, yeah, we need. It's so weird that our boobs, like they just go to whatever, they just go to whatever Gigi needs, don't they literally like so say if Gigi's like gone down a bit on a feed it will just do it automatically I used to worry about that because I used to have breastfed twins at one point so the the production of milk was obviously like fierce shall we say and then you do worry about that when you start adapting when they're weaning but yeah the body is our bodies are amazing we should give ourselves more credit us women and us moms look at

because we do every, like, the things that we're capable of doing is just incredible. And I think we're fantastic. And I remember going to see a pediatrician after one of, like, I don't know, a few months after I'd given birth. And she said, you know, you deserve a medal. And as she said that, I just burst into tears. Because it's like, you keep strong, don't you? And you keep going.

Of course. And that's the other thing about us, I think. I know, well, we're just a thing. is we've got to keep going, haven't we? There's no days off. Like, it's, it's mental because I love being a mum. Being a mum is the best job, and it's the most hardest job, the best job and the most rewarding job ever. But like, I'd actually prefer to go to work sometimes because you actually escape, you know, escape the chaos. It's a different type of work that. It's a different type of work. It's 24-7, isn't it? Yeah. 24-7. So,

I was going to ask you about recovery after birth, after three children. And I think a lot of people focus on recovery in those early weeks when you come back from hospital. But actually, you're only eight months on after like creating a human and giving birth to it. You know, you still need time to recover. Have you found the whole recovery process? Oh, it's so hard this time round. Third time round is so hard. I mean like your first child

I mean I don't like the phrase bounce back because I don't think anybody bounce back if they do then wow and that's a miracle but obviously with Noah I didn't bounce back I just I did really well because I didn't want to get because I was prone to getting diabetes after gestational diabetes and my mum and my dad had it

so I was like you know I want to try and get healthy and fit so I did obviously my belly blasting plan and I lost an amazing amount of weight in 12 months but obviously I've not put pressure on myself after having Jude and then Gigi now as well I'm just trying to get just get back to feeling nice in my clothes at least get into a couple of dresses do you know what I mean yeah but I think the recovery side I mean I'm grateful that I've had three natural births yeah so thank God the recovery side with having

two two other little ones yeah wasn't it didn't take a massive toll on my body I was able to recover and be able to pick the kids up and stuff like that and be able to be very, very... I'm sorry, are you doing you, monkey? You made a right mess. She's having a great time. She's having a great time. But yeah, the recovery side, like I said, is mental now because people see me.

Even like when I was out with Gigi, like even when she was a couple of weeks old and I was like, yeah, I'm going on and on everyone was like, Charlotte. you've literally given birth like a couple of weeks ago and then people still say to me now you're still in that phase of postpartum like stop putting so much pressure on yourself and I feel like I just want to make everything so magical for the boys like around Christmas and doing things

and I'm trying to be at every little thing so they can you know and you don't realise that you've got this little one here that is you know she's still a little baby like you said it all goes too quickly And so I can see you've got your tree up in the background there. That's pretty impressive. Oh, God, my tree was up three weeks ago. And you got your, you did your kiddie photo shoot, which I saw on Instagram, which I all looked absolutely easy.

And we did that every single year. And obviously I had to do it this year with Gigi's first Christmas. And seeing the boys with her was just so beautiful. I'm imagining some amazing outfits for Gigi. And yourself, obviously. I would not expect anything less from you. No, we love that matching. We love twinning.

We love twinning. We've got lots of festive outfits. We've got a bit of tartan going on. We've got some nice red outfits, some nice pink outfits. But I think what I would want to say to, you know, another postpartum mama going through all of the recovery side, like just don't put pressure on yourself.

No. And just, you know, we heal when we're ready. and our bodies are so magical and it doesn't matter what shape, size, whatever you are. All our bodies have gone through the same thing and I just feel like there's just so many mums that want to tear all the bumps down as well and I just don't get that.

We're meant to stick together and be a little team. I don't get that either. Why would anybody want to tear anyone down? I'm sure you get huge cheerleaders in your community, right? Yeah, massive cheerleaders. and I get loads of love, but I also get a lot, a lot of hate, like a lot of hate. And, you know, it's not nice at all. It really isn't nice.

Does that get you down? It really gets me down, especially when I was in the postpart and state. Is that a jumperoo you've got going on there, Charlotte? Yes. That saved my life, the jumparoo. Oh, they're amazing, aren't they? They're amazing. Help me go to the loo and get in the shower.

Oh, it would be brilliant. Hell, Daisy. Yeah, you said about the hate getting you down from the trolls on social media. In particular, what, during that five-month stage that you talked about when you were a few years ago. I mean, I have this one troll that's horrific with me. She rings social services on me all the time. She rings the school, the nursery and just saying awful things that aren't true. So that's been going on for four years since Noah was born.

And so I've had all that going on. It's just crazy that people would want to do that to you and would want to hurt you and want to make you, like, why would the hell would you want to try and get my kids taken off me? Yeah. It doesn't make any sense. When you're experiencing, like, negativity online, do you come off social or do you go on?

Well, I can't because my job is on social media. And sometimes I just want to run away and I just don't want to be posting. I don't want to work. But it's really difficult because I, I've got my own businesses, so if I come off, then they failed, do you know what I mean? And if I, obviously, I've got work booked in, you know, I can't just turn my head away. I mean, sometimes, obviously, if it's, if I'm really feeling very, very down, which I have done, I do kind of say I'm having a bit of a breather and I come off for a few days or whatever.

And then people really want me to come back and then miss seeing the kids and seeing, you know, everything about what I share. So, which is lovely. but you've got to understand that social media is such an amazing tool you know for businesses and connecting people but such an awful place as well because there's so much nastiness, jealousy and it really, really does hurt like even though I've got these millions of followers

like I still see them negative comments and all this love that you get you kind of always are drawn to the negative ones which is awful. Yeah well quite often there can be 10 brilliant colours but you'll focus on the one horrible one, right, sometimes. Has that just quickly, just out of interest, obviously your kids show up on your social media as well.

Have you thought about as they grow up how you might navigate social media with your kids? I haven't actually thought about that. And I do see a lot of things that, you know, people don't share them and stuff like that. And I think I get it, I do get it. But the thing is with me, because I've shared them for so long, it would be a bit odd, do you know what I mean?

Just to cut them out. Yeah, yeah. And I have thought about it, but it would just be a bit weird. I think it, and then people would be like, well, why now? Do you know what I mean? Yeah, yeah. But I think it's something to think about when they're older, especially. Yeah, for sure. For sure.

Then then they can make them mind up if they want, you know, want to be on it or something like that. Yeah. Because obviously, there's still so little, aren't they? And just at the end, I mean, no one, they all love having a bit of a TikTok and a dance around. I love the video of your boys as your backing dances. I know. I mean, I can't wait to see Gigi in that lineup as well next time. I can't wait to see Gigi, shaky, shaking it.

She's already shaking, shaking it in a high chair and a donkey and stuff. If you could bottle up one of those moments from the newborn phase, let's focus on Gigi because she's your most recent little better. If you could bottle up a moment from that newborn early days phase, what would it be? It would literally be the newborn scrunches, the newborn faces, the newborn noises, just having that moment with her, like, just when she's not moving on the couch and just watching a film. And she's still curled up in that little, like, really, really scrunched up. Yeah, really, really scrunched up and just really cuddly and snugly.

And this smell, oh, the newborn smell. Yeah, their hair. you could bottle up that smell if it'd be worth so much money wouldn't it yeah i know it's just absolutely oh i know it makes you want another one because of that feeling doesn't it it gets you and then if you were to say something to yourself pre gg if you were to go back and whisper something in your ear what would you say to yourself just to just chill out and and have a minute have a minute have a minute and just sit down relax watch films with her and just because

I think you just think that you've got to get the washing done and you've got to sort everything else out and you just you're just non-stop aren't you like especially when you've got the other two as well you know you're wanting to just do everything and be everything and I think then first couple of weeks a month so important to just enjoy it

because it got, like we said, we go and sparty. She's like, she, obviously, when you're cuddling her, she doesn't really quuddle anymore because she's moving all the time. She's too busy, yeah. Yeah, she's too busy. She wants to be off. She's crawling now, so she's everywhere. So you've got to be so careful now.

You can't, you've got eyes in the back of your head, your orders everywhere, your back. It's all go, go, go. So if you say Charlotte, take a minute, when you take a minute, how do you, well, A, how do you find a minute for yourself? And when you do, what do you do in that minute? And I don't mean a minute, but like in that time to have a bit of meat.

I mean, you're looking beautiful today. Your hair's super glossy and waving your hair and your makeup's immaculate. But where do you, how do you find that time? 10 minutes before. The 10 minute face. 10 minute, 10 minute makeover. But my hair, thank God, I get my blow dry every single week. That's very vital.

That is very vital to me, getting a blowout. Come to your house and do that. Yeah, because obviously my situation with childcare and getting out. I mean, sometimes I can go to the salon. I take Gigi everywhere with me. And I think that's really good because she just loves people. She loves being around people. I think with Noah, our first one, obviously the lockdown,

so he kind of didn't come anywhere with us. And I think he's quite attached to me and Matthew because, you know, he's kind of always, he loves being around people and being with people. But he always wants to be with mummy and daddy as well. I think that Jew doesn't care He does But he's like He'll go with anyone and like

You know He'll have a laugh With your mom as well Yeah And I think Gigi will be the same Because you know She just comes everywhere with me And I think it's important

And but it's funny Because with Noah I would never have took him anywhere Like I would have always got child care If I was going for an appointment Or anything I never ever wanted to take him with me Because I was nervous

I was scared I think it's with your first one I think You just wing it don't you Yeah. But God, Gigi, literally, she's just with me all the time. They're dragged everywhere. Yeah, she's just put to me with me and she's like, she's just my little partner in crying, aren't you?

She's going to be getting her own blow dry not before long. I can't wait to go to the salon, get my nails done with it, go for a curly blur. Oh, I can't wait. Sounds dreamy. Yeah, but that's one thing about me is that that's one thing. I do love a blow dry, so, yeah. Yeah, so that's your one sort of me time luxury.

But you're not going to give up, yeah. No, God, no. And nails as well. Do you get your, yeah, get my nails done every three weeks. Yeah, every three weeks. And you fake tan. Oh, my tan. Yeah, do my tan every tan on Thursdays.

See, you're like, all I do is my blow dry. All I do is my blow dry. But Gigi sat with me when I'm doing my sad. Yeah. Always. All the boys. Because they love getting involved for tan on Thursdays. In it together.

Amazing. And do you find time as a couple as well? Do you have your date nights? Now you've got three kids. Because you're outnumbered right now. Yeah. This is it now. You're completely outnumbered. I mean, not really. I mean, it's really hard with three. And there's so little as well. They've got three under four, all under five. And it's really tough on a relationship. But I think we do try and get, we've got a couple of things. We've got a couple of. thing he's planned over Christmas together, which is going to be nice. But obviously we've got that mum and dad, like that mum and dad gill, haven't we? So we're taking them to London just before Christmas and wrapping a full, like, week with them in London, which is going to be so magical. And doing all that. Because I've never been able to do that because I always do pantomime every Christmas. So this year, I'm not, I'm just enjoying every, like, every moment. I mean, Matthew's fuming with me because I've booked to see Santa every single weekend. I'm all or nothing to be honest.

Is that a perfect way to spend every weekend in December, surely? Exactly. Well, and November as well. So, yeah. It's like Charlotte, we saw Sander like last week. I'm like, I know, we're going to see him again. We're going to see him again. Tomorrow loves him.

Following him up and down the country. Brilliant. Thank you so much for your time today. And I wish you a very merry Christmas with your little lot as well. I wish you a very Merry Christmas as well my darling. Thank you so much. And I can't wait to see the pictures of Gigi dressed up as a Christmas pudding on Instagram very soon. So I know I've got a little Grinch outfit that's coming like a little girly Grinch one. I've got a little Mrs. Claus one. I've got so I've got a little elf one. I've got loads of different one. Yeah. Look, you're not going

to let us down. I know it. It's going to be amazing. Never. Thank you so much. Thank you so much. And I love to the, Gigi and her lovely dog, shabby cheek. She's so good. Oh, my. Say bye-bye, Gigi. Oh, thank you so much. Charlotte, thank you so much for joining us.

Your honesty, your joy and your humour are exactly what Cloud 9 is all about. And if you're listening right now in the small hours, whether you're feeding, rocking or pacing the hallway, trying to get a little one back to sleep, we're right here with you. Don't forget, you can. get your free pack of Aldi Mammaia, newborn nappies at netmums.com. And you can catch the rest of this Cloud 9 mini-series wherever you get your podcast. Charlotte, thank you again, and good luck with your gorgeous little crew. Cloud 9 is brought to you by Aldi Mammaia, the award-winning baby range,

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