Christine McGuinness' three autistic children have become "more physical" with her and each other amid the latest lockdown.
Christine McGuinness
The 32-year-old star - who has Felicity, five, and seven-year-old twins Leo and Penelope with husband Paddy McGuinness - revealed via a WhatsApp message shared to her Instagram account that she has to "paint a smile on like everything is fine" at times.
The message reads: "I totally understand, all three of mine have got more physical with me and each other recently, it's awful. [broken heart emoji]
"I barely recognise them sometimes and I just paint a smile on like everything is fine.
"Thinking of you lots, stay strong. This time will pass. [praying and heart emojis] (sic)"
In the caption, Christine said she hoped the post would help other families that have children with special education needs (SEN).
She added: "For me personally I feel good, I am very head strong and I love to stay positive but I can’t deny what these lockdowns are doing to my children [crying emoji] my children are not the same little people they were this time last year [broken heart emoji]
"The pandemic is affecting everyone differently, wether it’s your business, your mental health, a loss of life.. Covid is hitting everyone hard in different ways it’s heartbreaking. I pray every day [praying emoji] I hope it passes soon.
"Thinking of you all, sending love and light to each and every one of you [heart emoji] (sic)"
Christine also provided some context for the WhatsApp message, revealing it was from a conversation with one of her close friends.
The star - who has been married to Paddy since 2011 - wrote on Instagram: "(This image is a message I sent to one of my SEN mummy friends this morning)
"In it together (sic)"
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