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Radio presenter and author Gemma Atkinson and professional dancer Gorka Marquez juggle their high-profile careers with being parents to three-year-old Mia – and have recently announced they’re expecting their second child later this year.

The couple jumped at the chance to take some time out from their busy schedules to try some Family Moodboosters activities, from the �鶹Լ��’s new wellbeing initiative to get primary school children moving for mental health and wellbeing.

We took the opportunity to ask them about overcoming the challenges they face as working parents, what they like to do to unwind and what advice they have for other families with young children.

'We’re juggling constantly as every family is'

Since meeting on the 2017 series of Strictly Come Dancing, Gemma and Gorka have seen their careers go from strength-to-strength with Gemma presenting a nationwide drive-time radio show and Gorka reaching the final on the most recent series of the �鶹Լ�� One show.

However, their work commitments mean that it can sometimes be a challenge to be in the same place at the same time, as Gemma explains: “I think what we struggle with the most is finding the time to all be together. Gorka’s work takes him on the road a lot and, while as a family we’re really proud to see him perform on Strictly or on stage and we see the glitz and glamour of it all, for Gorka travelling means long hours, rehearsals, really early starts and different hotels each week.”

She adds: “When I’m at home with Mia on my own I get a bit tired because I’m working, doing the nursery run and sorting the dogs out so we’re juggling constantly as every family is. I think it’s just life. People work and kids go to nursery and school and you all just have to adapt and try to mould yourself into the madness.”

'It doesn’t feel like a task when the whole family is involved'

The couple’s busy schedules mean they always make the most of the time when they’re all together, as Gemma continues: “I think it’s so important to make memories for Mia so we love having family walks or activities like sitting together and doing a jigsaw. When Gorka is cooking, Mia sits on the island with me and helps to pass ingredients so it takes a lot longer to do the actual task but it doesn’t feel like it’s a task when the whole family is involved.”

Gorka adds that Mia’s enthusiasm can be a great boost for the whole family, “Sometimes your energy is low but then you come down and you see Mia running around and she’s smiling and just being surrounded by that makes you happy.”

The family also revealed they like nothing more than kicking back the rug for a living room disco, somewhere they feel they could slot in three-minute Moodboosters activities like Dance Party Mega Mix or Let's Rock.

Gemma tells us: “I think [Moodboosters] are very accessible to everyone so maybe we could swap the disco evenings we currently have for a Moodboosters evening. On the days when Mia is not at pre-school, we could also make that a Moodboosters morning and slot it into her routine and at the weekends as well they could be really beneficial.”

Gorka adds: “[Moodboosters] provide a great opportunity to help parents and families understand how a kid can be motivated and understand emotions… to create a better environment for the kids and families.”

'Every child is different and every family is different'

As well as finding the time for doing family activities together, the couple admitted that one of the other pressures facing parents today is that people constantly compare their experience of parenthood with others, whether that’s with family and friends or on social media.

Gorka tells us: “I remember when we [were expecting] Mia and people were saying this and that, but there are a lot of things that you don’t know until you experience it yourself and it comes down to the fact that every child is different and every family is different so you are going to have your own experience.”

For Gemma it’s also important that people remember not to put too much pressure on themselves, she says: “My only advice to any parent is what I give myself every day, to just lower [your] expectations of everything being perfect. We’ve got dogs, we’ve got a child, we’ve got each other. It’s manic but I don’t want the expectation of having to run a perfect house with everything in its place.”

Gorka adds: “We’re lucky to be in a position where we have our jobs and our lives but we are still a normal family. We do the same things everybody does and nothing is perfect. Yesterday we spent four hours cleaning the house and within 10 minutes it was like we hadn’t done it but that’s fine. I wouldn’t change anything.”

'As a person and as a parent your alone time is crucial'

While slowing things down to film the Meditation Station Family Moodbooster, the couple also acknowledged that it’s important for families with young children to ensure that they take time out to look after themselves.

For Gemma that can be listening to relaxing music on her half-hour commute to work or going for a walk with the dog. She says: “I love being in nature, just the dogs and me. No offence to Gorka or Mia but I think sometimes as a person and as a parent your alone time is crucial.”

Meanwhile, for Gorka downtime means a weight-training session or the ‘big shop’. He tells us: “Even if it’s just for 20 minutes, it’s my own time where I clear my head. I love to go to the shops. I used to do the shop with my parents and I have memories of being in the trolley in the supermarket every week. I find it relaxing – I have my notepad with my list. I love it. I find it relaxing.”

Visit the Family Moodboosters site for free three-minute videos featuring the likes of Oti Mabuse and Dr Ranj Singh leading activities to inspire everyone at home to feel good and use movement to help them manage their feelings as a family.

For more information about mental health and wellbeing, check out the dedicated area on the .

�鶹Լ�� Action Line has details of organisations that can offer support.

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This article was written in January 2023.

Try out some Family Moodboosters activities