Helen Flanagan has offered a candid glimpse into the realities of motherhood, opening up about feeling exhausted, overwhelmed and affected by “mum guilt” while raising her three children.
The former Coronation Street star, 36, shares Matilda, 11, Delilah, eight, and five-year-old Charlie with her former fiancé Scott Sinclair, 37. The couple ended their relationship in 2022 after being together for 13 years.
In a recent Instagram post, Flanagan spoke openly about the pressures she has been experiencing while managing family life and her other responsibilities.
Helen Flanagan admits feeling overwhelmed
Sharing a video in which she kissed her son Charlie, Flanagan described herself as a tired and overstimulated mother.
She wrote that she was “sick of the arguing” between her children while also emphasising how deeply she loves them.
Flanagan also joked that she felt like the “Wicked Witch of the West”, reflecting the emotional strain she was experiencing at the time.
Her post read: “Tired Mum. Overstimulated. Sick of the arguing. No words for how much I love them.”
She also mentioned that she was due to have her period, suggesting that hormonal changes were contributing to how she was feeling.
The actress and television personality went on to highlight another familiar challenge for working parents — the feeling that they are falling behind in other areas of life while focusing on their children.
‘Mum guilt’ affects her work and friendships
Flanagan admitted that she had been unable to respond to work emails, WhatsApp messages and friends, adding to her feelings of guilt.
“Mum guilt,” she wrote, followed by an admission that she had not been able to get back to her work emails, WhatsApp messages or friends.
Her comments offered an unusually unfiltered look at the demands of balancing parenting with a professional and social life.
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Although she described the difficult emotions she was experiencing, Flanagan also made it clear that her frustration does not diminish her love for her children.
The post resonated with the wider pressures often associated with parenting, where exhaustion, household responsibilities and work commitments can overlap.
Flanagan celebrates life as a single mother
Flanagan’s comments come shortly after she celebrated her 36th birthday in Lake Como, where she emphasised that she does not need a man to enjoy her life.
The actress has previously spoken about her personal life and her journey following her separation from Sinclair.
The couple were together for more than a decade before ending their relationship in 2022. Since then, Flanagan has continued to focus on raising their three children while pursuing her career in television and entertainment.
Her latest post appears to show a more personal side of that experience, acknowledging that even while she is grateful for her children, motherhood can sometimes leave her feeling completely drained.
Rather than presenting a perfect picture of family life, Flanagan chose to acknowledge the difficult moments as well — a reminder that loving your children and feeling overwhelmed by parenting can exist at the same time.
