The mum-of-three separated from ex Paddy McGuinness last summer (Picture: BBC/Instagram/mrscmcguinness)
Christine McGuinness has opened up on her desire to take her three children abroad on holiday as she discussed trying to ‘push their boundaries a little bit more’.
The model, 35, shares nine-year-old twins Penelope and Leo and Felicity, seven, with her Top Gear TV star ex Paddy McGuinness, 49.
Like her, they have autism, which can mean they struggle with a change in routine and like to plan things carefully before doing them, according to the NHS.
Christine, who recently released an emotional and insightful feature-length documentary about her journey with the condition, called Christine McGuinness: Unmasking My Autism, was only diagnosed aged 33.
The mum-of-three has now revealed how she now wants to ‘focus on saying yes to more opportunities’ and spending extra time with her kids so they can explore doing different things together, including travelling abroad.
‘I want to make sure their needs are met. I say every year that I want to take them abroad but I am so determined this year to take them abroad,’ she said in a new interview.
Christine has autism like her two daughters and son, and is keen to ‘push their boundaries’ to help support them gaining independence (Picture: Instagram/mrscmcguinness)
‘We’ve done it once before, but it was a couple of years ago and then lockdown happened. We’ve got some lovely memories from a couple of days in Spain.’
Christine explained that she was looking at a European location again but admitted she doesn’t know ‘how they’ll cope on a flight for too long’ and was considering renting a villa.
‘If we go to a hotel we’ll get more of a holiday experience with some water slides. It’s just trying to figure out how much I can push their boundaries without doing too much,’ she told MailOnline.
‘I want to prepare them for getting older and just to support them in becoming as independent as possible.’
Paddy and Christine, who were together for 15 years, still live in their home with their kids, who they are shielding from the split (Picture: David Fisher/Shutterstock)
Twins Penelope and Leo, nine, and seven-year-old Felicity have previously been abroad once before (Picture: Instagram/mrscmcguinness)
She also revealed that being a good mum was ‘the one thing I’ve always been confident in’ as she discussed pushing her kids to do new things together and enjoy them.
‘I think I’m really lucky because of all the things I get to celebrate with them. Their achievements are smaller, but when they do something new I see it as something to really celebrate.’
Christine and Paddy separated last summer after 15 years together but co-parent amicably and still live together, with their son and daughters unaware of the split.
Paddy was also full of praise for his estranged wife and her new documentary, taking to Instagram to celebrate her achievement.
‘Very proud of Christine for making this new documentary highlighting Autism, particularly in women,’ he penned.
‘It’ll be a massive help to our daughters in years to come along with our little lad.’
Christine McGuinness: Unmasking My Autism is available to watch on BBCiPlayer.
‘It’s just trying to figure out how much I can push their boundaries without doing too much.’