It’s not selfish to look after yourself...
DJ Edith Bowman’s a favourite face on the music scene and well-known for presenting on radio, TV and at music festivals. She tells GABRIELLE FAGAN the six life lessons she’s learnt as well as the songs to her personal soundtrack...
SCOTTISH DJ, Edith Bowman, 43, who first found fame in 2001 on MTV alongside Cat Deeley, and for 10 years hosted shows on BBC Radio One, currently presents a breakfast show on Virgin Radio.
She’s married to Tom Smith, lead singer of indie rock band, Editors and the couple have two sons, Rudi, eight and Spike, four.
1KEEP YOUR MIND AS FIT AS YOUR BODY
“IN 2004, doctors discovered I have a treatable heart defect (a two-way valve rather than a three-way valve, which puts excessive strain on the organ). It meant I had to have my two boys by caesarian instead of natural births. I see a specialist once a year for a check-up and so far my heart hasn’t deteriorated which is brilliant. I don’t worry about it, because I know it’s all under control.
“As a precaution, I also have a mammogram every two years because 10 years ago my mum had breast cancer.
“As well as running, hot yoga (bikram) and swimming, I practise mindfulness and meditation. I use an app, Quility, designed for parents, which helps me ground myself, feel calm, and take stock. I believe a happy me equals happy kids. It’s not selfish to look after yourself.”
2BE TRUE TO YOURSELF AND DON’T FEEL YOU HAVE TO LIVE UP TO AN IMAGE
“I’VE always tried to stay true to myself – and the qualities I value, and hope I demonstrate, are being loyal and honest. Years ago, everyone thought being a woman DJ was all about ladettes, rock stars and wild times. Actually, I was never wild and crazy – definitely never as wild as Zoe Ball and ‘Coxy’ (Sara Cox)! I was a tomboy more than anything, and just having fun.
“I still go to gigs and festivals, but nowadays I take my boys when I can. Rudi was at his first festival, Glastonbury, when he was 10 days old! Mind you, it’s quite ‘wild’ at our house on a Saturday evening when we have a family dance party!”
3IGNORE AGE... IT DOESN’T MEAN A THING
“THERE’S an obsession in this country about how old people are.
“I never think about being in my forties because I feel younger than I did 10 years ago, and more comfortable, confident and at ease with myself as the years go by. I haven’t changed either. I still find it difficult to live in the slow lane of life, always cram too much into my day, and I’m still starstruck when I meet my idols. I’d hate to become blase and cynical.”
4THERE’S NO ESCAPE FROM WORKING MUM’S GUILT
“I HAVE working mum guilt all the time, but try not to beat myself up about it. For instance, I can’t do the morning school runs because of my breakfast radio show, so I keep in touch by text to make sure everything’s running smoothly.
“Juggling can be hard as Tom’s busy performing or recording a lot of the time. But we share childcare with the help of a fabulous nanny. Tom’s my rock, we’re always looking out for one another, and we’re a great team with the boys. I couldn’t ask for a better dad for my kids – he makes them laugh like nobody else can.”
5DON’T TRY TO BE A PERFECT PARENT
“I’M an ambassador for the Fruit Shoot It’s My Thing campaign, to champion children being free to find their passions and express their individuality.
“It doesn’t surprise me at all that, according to their research, 80% of UK parents feel there’s too much pressure for kids to live up to society’s expectations, including academic achievements. I definitely feel a pressure to be the ‘perfect’ parent as it’s all too easy nowadays to compare yourself to the ‘perfect’ families on social media.
“Luckily, my mum gave me the wisest piece of advice about bringing up kids, which was: ‘It’s all trial and error and you can only do your best’. That’s so true.
“One minute, you think parenting can never get any better and the next minute, one of them is projectile vomiting all over your top! Every day there’s something to make you laugh or surprise you – Rudi’s just told us when he grows up he wants to be a TV wildlife presenter, a DNA scientist, a pilot or a guitarist! Who knew?
“We just try to encourage them as much as we can and not pressurise them.”
6NEVER GIVE UP – AND EMBRACE CHANGE
“WHEN I started out, I was told constantly that no one with an accent like mine (she’s from Fife, Scotland) would make it on to radio. I still have a folder of letters from companies, some of whom I’ve ended up working for, suggesting I tone down my accent or take elocution lessons.
“I love change and think it’s healthy to do things which scare you and take you out of your comfort zone. After 10 years at the BBC, on Radio One, I’m having a brilliant time with my Virgin breakfast show.
“I’m as passionate about music and movies as I ever was and love every minute of my work and hope I show my sons that work is about doing what you love.”