Features / 9 March, 2018 / Ellie Thompson

The Inspirational Katie Piper on The Launch of Her New Book and Life with Baby Number Two

I jumped at the chance to interview one of our favourite mamas again, the beautiful Katie Piper. I find out all about the launch of her new book, From Mother to Daughter, and ask about life with her new arrival, baby number two. 

We’re really excited about the launch of your new book, From Mother to Daughter – tell us a bit about this, and how it came about. 

Thank you so much. From Mother to Daughter is about motherhood, what you learn as a mother, the things you would tell your daughter and most of all it’s really a celebration of the incredible power of mother-daughter relationships. It also gives readers a really personal chance to read some of my mum’s diary entries from ten years ago and it discusses the topical issues girls and teenagers face today and how mothers can deal with these.

In what ways are you similar to your own mother, and what pearls of wisdom has she passed to you that you will pass on to your own daughters? 

As I grow older I realise more and more each day how similar I am to my own mother and I think this was even more apparent when I became a mother myself. I truly value the importance of family and I am so grateful to have such a strong bond and connection with my mum. She has taught me how to be a woman, how to be a mum and how to never take anything for granted.

It’s been ten years since your attack in 2008. How far have you come since then, it must have been a huge journey. How much have you changed as a person, and are there times that you thought you might never get through? How did this affect your relationships with the people closest to you? 

Naturally, I think everyone changes a huge amount over ten years, but I think for me, the main change was having children as suddenly your whole life revolves around this little bundle of joy! The love and responsibility you feel is surreal. Of course there have been some extremely hard times over the years but I’ve been so fortunate to have the support of loved ones and I’ve learned so many coping mechanisms and the importance of positive thinking, confidence and sharing how you feel with others.

Can you tell us about The Katie Piper Foundation and the work the organisation is doing?

So I set up The Katie Piper Foundation back in 2009 while I was still in the early stages of my recovery, and it was really only possible thanks to the generosity of so many wonderful people – from Simon Cowell to local Brownie Guide groups! The foundation is dedicated to improving rehabilitation for burns survivors and helping to reconnect people with burns and scars to their lives and their communities. We also help by building self-esteem and confidence through introductions to specialists in non-surgical treatments.

Congratulations on the recent arrival of your second daughter, Penelope. What’s life like with number two? 

Thank you so much, I really do feel so blessed to have both of my girls. It’s certainly more full-on trying to juggle a newborn and a toddler but I am absolutely loving it and I’m so lucky to have Richie who is incredibly hands on and my family and friends who are all a great help!

Is there anything you’ll be doing different this time round, any products you’ll be using/ditching/championing?

When Belle was first born I got really over-excited and bought far too many things like travel cots and prams without doing my research first. I thought I needed way more than I did and that I would struggle if I didn’t have every last gadget out there! This time around I’ve been much more practical and I even launched my own pram collection with My Babiie after Belle was born.

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Your three key pieces advice for any new parents out there… 

Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to be ‘perfect’, believe in yourself and don’t be afraid to ask for help!

We ask all our celebs this one – what’s your favourite family recipe?

We were really lucky growing up as my mum has always been such a wonderful cook and my favourite family recipe would have to be her homemade shepherd’s pie. No matter what we all had on, we would all gather round to tuck in… and often go back for more! The tradition has carried on too and she makes it for my daughter, Belle when we visit which is really lovely.

What are you looking forward to most of all about 2018? 

I’ve got so much to look forward to throughout the year but career wise it would have to be launching my book ‘From Mother To Daughter’ and going on my debut theatre tour ‘What’s In My Head’.

Photography credit: 2017 DAN KENNEDY.

 From Mother to Daughter: The Things I’d Tell My Child, published by Quercus, is available from all good bookshops and Amazon.