Jamie Oliver wants his children to “struggle as much as possible”.

Jamie Oliver wants his kids to 'struggle as much as possible'

Jamie Oliver wants his kids to 'struggle as much as possible'

The 49-year-old chef – who has Poppy, 22, Daisy, 21, Petal, 15, Buddy, 13, and seven-year-old River with wife Jools – has spoken about his difficulties with ADHD and dyslexia but he believes it is important to face challenges throughout life.

He told Psychologies magazine: “Confidence, worry and anxiety are all part of a cauldron of emotions that challenge us.

“When you’re young, they can present themselves as things that hold you back.

“But, as you get older, [they provide] a tension that makes you do your best work.

“Life’s not supposed to be linear or easy. I want my kids to struggle as much as possible, in a safe and controlled way. If it’s too easy, it’s really vanilla.”

Jamie has raised his kids to look at life with a positive attitude.

He explained: “Even today, I say to my girls, you have to brush your teeth, look in the mirror, and decide it’s going to be a positive day – decide to be glass half-full.

“And I know it’s easier said than done. But if you try, it’s about being glass half-full most of the time and hopefully having friends around you that will catch you on the not-so-good days.”

The ‘Billy and the Epic Escape’ writer grew up in a pub and he dreams of opening a boozer of his own one day.

He said: “When I left for London at 16, my dream was to come back.

“I love my life. And I love my team. And I love the work that I have the opportunity to do.

“But I still haven’t fulfilled my career goal, which was to open a beautiful pub and do my version of what I grew up in.”


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