Christine McGuinness has opened up about co-parenting with her ex-husband Paddy, as she describes how they both navigate dating while still living together.
The model, 36, separated from the television presenter, 50, in 2022, but they have maintained a strong relationship and still live together with their children, twins Leo and Penelope, 11, and Felicity, eight. .
Describing how their unusual setup works, Christine revealed that Paddy is rarely there, and only spent an average of five days a month at home last summer.
She explained that she takes the opportunity to leave when he’s home to prepare for when they eventually live apart and “soften the blow,” admitting that it’s “the only way I can be mentally okay with co-parenting.”
Speaking to the new magazine, she said: “I only go on holiday when (Paddy) is home and as he’s not home much I take the opportunity to go away.” During the summer, I was home an average of five days a month, so those couple of days made sense.
Christine McGuinness has opened up about co-parenting with her ex-husband Paddy, as she describes how they both navigate dating while still living together (pictured together in 2021).
The model, 36, split from the TV presenter, 50, in 2022, but they have maintained a strong relationship and still live together with their children, twins Leo and Penelope, 11, and Felicity, eight. (pictured in 2019).
Describing how their unusual setup works, Christine revealed that Paddy is rarely there, having only spent five days a month at home on average last summer (pictured in August).
‘It was her time to have children and it is not easy because when you have children, you think that you are going to have them every day forever until they grow up.
‘Shared parenting means that when you return you will be entitled to your time and it will be good for the children – they love spending time together. So it makes sense to me to disappear for a couple of days and enjoy it.”
Christine confessed that she thinks she will “really struggle” when the time comes for her and Paddy to share their children in separate homes and anticipates it will be a “big shock for all of us.”
Speaking about the pair potentially moving on with someone else, she insisted Paddy’s love life is “none of my business” but revealed the comedian tells her when he’s been on dates.
She said: ‘It’s none of my business what he does in his own time. He has told me when he has had dates. We’ve been separated for over two years, so it’s inevitably going to happen at some point. We are both very respectful of each other’s private lives and it is none of the other’s business. As long as it doesn’t affect the kids in any way, then I don’t need to know who he’s with or where he’s going. That’s his personal life.
The TV personality previously spoke about how Paddy was frequently away, and admitted that despite still living with her ex-husband, she was “calmer than ever.”
She explained: “He’s not home much because he’s so busy with work, but we get along really well and we know we need to be a team for the kids.”
“I’m calmer than ever. I didn’t realize before how unstable my nervous system was. I always had a kind of tremor, anxiety, inside me. A lot of that was due to fear of change.
She explained that she takes the opportunity to leave when he’s home to prepare for when they eventually live apart and “soften the blow,” admitting that it’s “the only way I can be mentally okay with co-parenting.”
Speaking about the possibility of the pair moving on with someone else, she insisted Paddy’s love life is “none of my business” but revealed that the comedian tells her when he’s been on dates (pictured together in 2019).
‘Just this year I have felt good about the changes after the divorce. Anyway, I feel like I live alone because Patrick works a lot and when that happens, I know I’ll be fine.
‘He is an incredible father, very practical at home and very good at what he does. It’s an amazing provider, but it takes a lot. I am the constant at home for the children.
“We have never had an argument. We will have difficult and challenging conversations, but we don’t argue, but that’s not on me. We have a pretty good balance and when he’s home I know I can go away for a couple of days and I don’t feel guilty because it’s dad’s time with the kids.’
She confirmed that the former couple had not yet told their children about the split, saying they “wouldn’t understand it yet.”
But in March, Christine – who, along with her children, has been diagnosed with autism – explained that she “doesn’t like change” and yet realized that after 15 years of “being a wife and mother” , I longed to discover it. who she was as a person.
She explained: ‘Actually, we’re not like any other family I know. I love how we are, I try not to compare myself to any other family because we’re really not like any other family I know.’
Meanwhile, Christine revealed she started dating someone new in June, gushing that it was the “early days” but it has been “amazing” so far.
She explained last month: ‘I met them on my birthday through mutual friends and we’ve been dating since June. It’s someone I know. I wasn’t thinking about anything at the time, but we kept in touch and it’s very nice and relaxed.’
Meanwhile, Christine revealed she started dating someone new in June, gushing that it was the “early days” but it has been “amazing” so far.
She recently returned home from a sun-soaked romantic getaway in Ibiza, and shared photos of herself lounging on a bed covered in rose petals, candles and balloons, while her date remained a mystery.
The trip came on the heels of Christine’s night out with Roxxxan in London, where she shared photos of the couple snuggling and the model, 33, lifting Christine’s leg in the air.
The TV personality added: “There are no labels and that’s what’s been amazing.” Paddy hasn’t met them. It is still new and in its infancy.
“Having been in a public relationship for so long, I’m not sure I want the relationship to be public. I’ve only known what it was like to be in a public relationship. This is nice.
‘I’ve been very open and honest from the beginning about where I am and they are okay with that. I feel like I’m in good company. I don’t have much time to myself, but when I do it’s lovely and we laugh a lot.’
Christine revealed she was dating again during an appearance on Loose Women in August, but insisted she is unlikely to remarry.
She admitted: “I really don’t think so.” For me I have done it. I’ve had a great wedding and I think anyone who gets married never imagines it will end, but if it happens you get over it, but marriage is the last thing you want to do when you get over it.
‘Although we have had an amicable divorce, there have been times when it has been really exhausting and challenging. It’s a lot to deal with when you have to get up every day and smile at your kids.’
She recently returned home from a sun-soaked romantic getaway in Ibiza, and shared photos of herself lounging on a bed covered in rose petals, candles and balloons, while her date remained a mystery.
The trip came on the heels of Christine’s night out with Roxxxan in London, where she shared photos of the pair snuggling and the model, 33, lifting Christine’s leg in the air.
