Peter and Emily go in search of parenting superpowers
PETER ANDRE AND HIS WIFE EMILY TALK TO LISA SALMON ABOUT MEETING PARENTS WITH REAL SUPERPOWERS – AND REVEAL SOME OF THEIR OWN TALENTS
MOST parents will have wished for superpowers at some point after having children – not necessarily the ability to fly or superhuman strength, but perhaps just to stop a tantrum with just a single glance or get a baby off to sleep in minutes.
Believe it or not, many ordinary parents do have their own real ‘superpowers’, and TV presenter Peter Andre and his wife Emily Andrea (who took Peter’s real Greek surname when they married in 2015) have been touring the UK meeting them.
Father-of-four Peter, whose youngest child Theo is just five months old, says he’s enjoying meeting the parents, through the npower Parenting Super Powers campaign, which is encouraging mums and dads to share videos and photos of their own special parenting skills.
Indeed, Peter jokingly suggests he has his own hidden talents.
“I think mine and Emily’s superpowers come in multi-tasking and teamwork. I’m great at feeding the baby and having a double espresso at the same time!”
On a serious note, the celebrity dad adds: “My top tips are always be chilled and patient, so the children don’t sense you’re stressed, and put them first in everything – but have a little down-time too.”
BABY WHISPERER
THE couple met a number of parents with very different superpowers during their tour, but say their favourite skill was that of mother-of-two Sarah Deakin, 37, a baby photographer who has the unique ability to get newborn babies to sleep in under five minutes.
“It’s every parent’s dream to be able to do what she does,” admits a slightly jealous Peter.
While most of us creep around the house after putting baby down for a nap, Sarah, of Yarhampton, Worcestershire, lulls them to sleep with lots of noise, moving them around while reassuring them.
“Contrary to what most people think, babies usually settle better in a noisy environment,” she explains.
“I’ve found lots of talking, background music and motion sends them off. This combination seems to work for me.”
Peter says: “Theo is a little too old now for some of the tricks that Sarah taught us, but she’s a true baby whisperer.”
And Emily adds: “Sarah’s superpower is most definitely useful during those long nights when baby just won’t go to sleep.”
SECRETS OF THE SLING SWING
THE couple also met Lynsey Ritchie, 40, a mother-of-three from Harrow who teaches fun, interactive Sling Swing classes, where parents can bond with their children in slings while gently dancing.
Lynsey says: “All mums have superpowers. Offering support while teaching parents how to bond with their children is mine.
“The babies are usually lulled by the movement and music – it’s
amazing to have a class of 15 silent babies.”
Peter says: “It’s fascinating the results that can come from this unique skill, allowing parents a safe place to let loose and exercise, all while connecting with your baby.
“I’m definitely going to be giving it a go.”
SWIM BABES
THE couple also got in the pool with swimming instructors and mums Kirsty Banham and Lisa Horton-Samuel from Stratford-upon-Avon, who teach children to feel confident enough in the pool to submerge themselves.
Kirsty says: “Lisa and I designed the classes not only for toddlers, but for parents too. Our superpowers are to work with parents, teaching them a range of different movements and tricks that they can do with their toddlers to prepare them to get into the water and eventually swim.”
Peter says: “I loved to see how Kirsty and Lisa managed to get toddlers to feel confident in the water. It was great taking part and watching how much fun the children and parents had, it’s so infectious.”