Helen Flanagan opens up on mum guilt as she admits to 'not being a team' with Scott Sinclair
Helen Flanagan has opened up about her tough 'mum guilt' as she candidly discussed 'not being a team' with her ex Scott Sinclair, who she co-parents her three kids with. The former Corrie star shares children Matilda, nine, Delilah, six and Charlie, four, with the former Celtic star, who she was previously engaged to but split from in July 2022.
Helen has always been very open and honest about the struggles she has faced with being a single parent. In an emotional new Instagram post, the 34-year-old reflected on some of her favourite memories with her kids from this year so far as she posted a series of sweet videos and snaps with her little ones.
She captioned the heartfelt post: "Looked back at some of my favourite times with the kids this year. Found motherhood hard recently, I've felt overwhelmed and stressed the majority of the time and I want to get back to when I'm present and I'm really in it and I'm really enjoying it.
"I always wanted to be a mum. I get mum guilt with Matilda as I feel like I'm always preoccupied with her brother, I can't give her the energy that I want to give her and I feel like she always sees me at my worst.
"I also feel like she needs calm which I can never be. Delilah, I feel like I'm getting it right with her and I feel like our bond is tight, so that's something not to beat myself up about. Charlie, I could pull my hair out sometimes, I feel like I've got the male version of me.
"Co parenting is hard and not being a team together and not being able to talk about your anxieties and worries for the kids. I suppose you can only do your best and be kind to yourself but I wanted these on my grid for me as they make my soul happy."
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After candidly opening up about how she has individual mothering struggles with each child, fans rushed to the comments to offer their support and reassurance.
One wrote: "You've got three gorgeous, happy kids there so you're definitely doing something right! Don't be so hard on yourself, being a parent is tough but you've got this. One step at a time."
A second commented: "Juggling three kids is a super power I'm sure. U got this strong momma."
A third replied, referring to Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, which Helen suffers from. PMDD is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome characterised by intense emotional and physical symptoms that significantly disrupt daily life. The fan said: "You're a fab mummy to your little beauties and your kids always look so happy. I have PMDD too and it's awful. Can really make you feel so anxious but honestly, you're doing great."
Another mother, who found Helen's post relatable, wrote: "So relatable to read this has made me feel so much better as it's exactly how I feel on my own with my babies , like my eldest doesn't always get the best of me , constantly trying to spilt yourself, your time , your energy, leaving nothing for yourself and still feeling guilty."
Helen and Scott were together for 13 years before they split in the summer of 2022.
The actress, who has been very open about her mental health in the past, was diagnosed with psychosis last year.
Helen suffered an episode on New Year's 2024 during a trip to Bali with the kids after she took a bad reaction to her ADHD medication.
Reflecting on that time in her life earlier this year, Helen devastatingly shared how she thought her kids would have been better off without her.
Helen has had another rough couple of months after splitting with her ex-boyfriend Robbie Talbot in May. The pair dated for around a year before they called it quits.
Meanwhile, Scott has since moved on with his new partner Lauren Davies, who he has been dating since 2024.
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