Strictly Come Dancing star Gemma Atkinson has shared a profoundly moving family moment involving her five-year-old daughter Mia that left the actress fighting back tears.
The former Hollyoaks actress, who shares Mia and two-year-old son Thiago with professional dancer Gorka Marquez, revealed how their young daughter demonstrated remarkable emotional intelligence following the heartbreaking loss of their family dog, Norman.
A Child's Innocent Wisdom
"We were in the car and out of nowhere Mia said, 'Mummy, I'm a bit sad about Norman,'" Gemma recounted during an emotional segment on her Hits Radio show. "Then she asked, 'Do you think Norman is with nana?' referring to my mum who passed away."
The 39-year-old celebrity explained how she confirmed that yes, Norman was indeed with nana in heaven. Mia's response showcased a child's beautiful perspective on loss and the afterlife.
Mia's Touching Gesture
"She said, 'That's good because nana will look after him and play with him, and when it's our turn to go to heaven we'll see them both,'" Gemma shared, visibly emotional. "Then she asked if we could get some flowers for nana and Norman."
The family followed through with Mia's thoughtful suggestion, purchasing flowers that the five-year-old personally arranged in a vase as a tribute to her grandmother and beloved family pet.
Parenting Through Difficult Moments
Gemma has been open about her approach to discussing difficult topics with her children, emphasising the importance of honesty while framing conversations in an age-appropriate manner. The loss of Norman, their much-loved Alsatian, has provided one of those challenging but important parenting moments.
"It's been tough on all of us," Gemma admitted, "but seeing how Mia is processing everything has been incredibly moving. Children have this amazing way of understanding complex emotions in the simplest terms."
A Family United in Grief
The Manchester-based family has been supporting each other through the loss, with Gemma and Gorka focusing on creating a nurturing environment where their children feel comfortable expressing their emotions.
Gemma's openness about these parenting challenges has resonated with her followers, many of whom have praised her honest approach to discussing grief and loss with young children.
