DANI Dyer has opened up on her “constant battle” with feeling “guilty” as a parent.
The mum-of-three, 29, revealed she feels “overstimulated,” “really stressed” and sometimes as though she isn’t a “nice mum.”
Sharing all on a recent episode of the Live And Let Dyers podcast, the Love Island legend who won the ITV reality show back in 2018, sat down for an honest conversation with her father Danny Dyer, 48.
In a segment of the podcast that has since been shared on Dani’s social media with the caption, “The mum guilt is so real girls. Anyone else??” the star, who is married to footballer Jarrod Bowen, 29, reflected on not being “one hundred percent herself.”
She said: “I’m overstimulated most days and then I feel like I’m not my one hundred percent self because I’m so overstimulated.
“Then I feel really guilty when they go to bed because I feel like I’ve not given my best version of me. Oh, my god, that’s so deep.
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“I do feel really guilty.”
Moments later, Dani, who gave birth to her first child, son Santiago in January 2021 at the age of 24, who she shares with ex-boyfriend Sammy Kimmence, added: “Because I’m such a happy person, I’m happy-go-lucky, I genuinely am.
“But I feel like with the twins and obviously I’ve got Santi, I do find it really difficult.
“And then they go [to] bed and I’m like, oh my god, I was really stressed, so was I nice enough or did I play with them enough?”
Dani, who is also mother to twins Summer and Star, two, acknowledged: “I just have this constant battle in my brain of, I’m not being my best version because they’re all still so small.”
But to this, actor and presenter Danny tried to reassure his daughter and gushed: “Maybe it is your best version.”
In response, the brunette chimed in: “I don’t feel like it is though.”
Back to this, the EastEnders legend explained: “You can’t check every box every day darling. You keep the children alive, they’re happy, they laugh a lot.”
Moments later, Dani recognised: “I just feel guilty all the time when I look at them.
“In the morning, trying to get them all out the door by 8:15am, I am sweating and I’m like, ‘get your shoes on, do this, do that,’ and then they’ll get to school and I’m like, oh my god, I really wasn’t a nice mum this morning.”
How Dani Dyer transformed her reputation
The daughter of everyone’s favourite EastEnders geezer Danny, is currently living the high life.
But Dani has had a rollercoaster few years, from her Love Island win back in 2018, to watching her son’s father Sammy Kimmence go to prison for fraud, and now navigating her glamourous new life as a WAG and mother of twin babies.
In recent years, Dani has completely shaken off the ‘chav’ persona, and has become one of the most well-known of the current England WAGs.
Fabulous spoke to celebrity PR expert Ed Hopkins to find out the key steps Dani has taken to reinvent herself, including the tips she has borrowed from iconic WAG Cheryl Cole.
Ed revealed that Dani’s ability to navigate personal challenges, such as the scandal involving Sammy, has greatly played a crucial role in her reinvention.
Ed said: “By openly discussing her struggles and triumphs, she has built a strong, relatable persona.
“Her transparency about her personal life, including solo parenting and dealing with public scrutiny, has garnered significant public support and empathy.”
He also shared that Dani’s openness in discussing the challenges of motherhood, has helped to transform her reputation.
Ed said: “This openness has made her more relatable to a broader audience, particularly young mothers. She balances her public image by sharing both the joys and hardships of parenting, creating a more nuanced and authentic brand.”
Dani is often seen supporting West Ham winger Jarrod, including during England’s devastating loss to Spain in the 2024 Euros.
Her unwavering support for her partner, has cemented her as one of the most well-known WAGS of this generation, according to Ed.
He said: “Her active support for Jarrod, including attending football matches and engaging with fans, mirrors the strategies used by high-profile WAGs like Cheryl Cole and Victoria Beckham, who also stood by their partners publicly and built their own identities alongside them.”
Not only this, but Ed revealed that Dani has been able to stay relevant over the years due to her candid use of social media.
He said: “Dani has consistently used media platforms to share her narrative, from interviews to social media updates.
“She has managed to stay relevant by engaging with her followers through candid posts and professional collaborations.
“This approach is reminiscent of how Victoria Beckham transitioned from pop stardom to a respected fashion designer, using media to reframe her public image.”
Many could relate to the clip, which was recently shared on TikTok, and users eagerly rushed to the comments to express this alignment with Dani’s parenting fears.
One person said: “I feel this everyday!!!”
Another added: “Feel this constantly!!”
A third commented: “Always your best version babe! Always! Are they happy? Yeah! Are they fed? Yeah! Are they loved yeah!
“I do it every day as a mum of 4 so I hear and feel you and will give this advice as someone who judges me 24/7 lol! I promise you’re enough.”
Meanwhile, someone else chimed in: “You two are adorable, you have a great father and daughter relationship.”
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