‘I’m video-called out –
Now we’re all well and truly in the swing of lockdown life, Katie Piper seems to have her routine nailed. She’s up early, make-up on and kids dressed for the day – even at the weekend.
She’s juggling a busy work schedule with homeschooling her six-year-old daughter Belle and entertaining Penelope, her two year old, all at the same time.
And when we catch up with her over the phone, she’s pounding the streets with the buggy in the rain, getting her small window of quiet time so we can chat.
But it’s not all work and no play, Katie, 36, admits that she and her husband Richard Sutton have been having lots of fun catching up with friends and family whenever they can online, too.
Here, Katie, who’s recently released series three of her podcast Katie Piper’s Extraordinary People, tells us all about her lockdown life…
Hey Katie! How are you finding things?
Now we’re in the groove, we’re accepting our new way of life so it’s alright, it no longer feels so sudden and strange.
Are you in a good routine?
Yes, because I have children they need structure – I’m very much a person in lockdown who wakes up, does my hair, puts my make-up on and dresses in my jeans and shoes – that helps me. I could let myself be lazy and if I don’t give myself that discipline I’d fall off the wagon. I do it every day, even at the weekend. I’m being quite strict with the kids too. My oldest goes to stage school every weekend so I’ve adapted it to home life. I make her get up and put her hair in a bun, then she has a 9am remote singing lesson on Zoom, then she does drama class. It’s good for her, otherwise it’s,‘What day is it? What are we doing?’
And are you homeschooling as well?
Yes, I am, we’re using Google Classroom so she’s seeing her teachers and her friends. But it’s making me realise how thick
I am! Aged six French, science and maths – and I’m having to Google it. I should definitely know this.
Your youngest is two…
Yeah but she’s a bit lively because she’s the second child. She acts like the six year old, which is crazy!
How are you juggling all of that?
It is hard, with children they don’t understand you’re working from home and with my work it is a lot of recording so I need silence – I’m locked in the loo quite a lot! My husband’s work hasn’t really continued because he’s a builder, so we’ve been doing lots around the house – we painted all the doors. It’s been quite fun actually.
Is he helping with childcare?
Yes, we’re tag-teaming it. One does one child and one does the other, then we swap.
Are you guys getting in the kitchen?
We are, we like cooking anyway. We’re doing more baking and desserts, I find it quite relaxing.The girls love it and make a mess too!
Have you got any top tips for getting time for yourself?
Normally, I love to exercise. That’s my meditation – go for a nice run. If you can then that’s great, or take the children out in the buggy. I find it very hard to relax and switch off. In lockdown though I’ve got more opportunity to read, which is something
I really enjoy.
How are you keeping in touch with your friends and family?
We do a Zoom quiz on a Saturday with my family, and WhatsApp calls with the grandparents and the kids, and Houseparty in the evenings with friends. To be honest, in the end you’re all video-called out! I’ve never been so social.
I’m waking up with Zoom hangovers in the morning. I don’t think you realise when you’re sat there talking with a drink, how much you drink! I love a prosecco and a nice gin and tonic.
How else are you spending time?
We’ve just finished watching The Nest and started Turn Up Charlie on Netflix with Idris Elba. It’s nice, I don’t normally get home till late so don’t get to watch a lot of telly, so now I’m catching up. I’m also watching a lot of David