Joe Swash has opened up about his parenting struggles, admitting he feels like the 'substitute teacher' compared to his wife Stacey Solomon. The 34-year-old made the confession in the final episode of their BBC One reality show, Stacey and Joe, as he attempted to solo parent while Stacey was away on a work trip.
Joe, who shares three children with Stacey—Rex, six, Rose, three, and Belle, two—also has son Harry, 18, from a previous relationship, while Stacey has sons Zachary, 17, and Leighton, 13, from previous relationships. In the episode, Joe said, 'I don't mind the solo parenting - looking after my kids is my happy place, my safe space. They make me who I am.' However, he later added, 'Stacey is like the permanent teacher, I'm the substitute teacher that the kids just take advantage of.'
The show captured a chaotic scene where Joe struggled to get his stepson Leighton ready for school. After waiting for Leighton, Joe shouted, 'We're going mate, are you coming or not? No mate, hurry up. You've had your time - you've been up there 25 minutes.' He eventually enlisted Stacey, who was still in Italy, to call Leighton and get him downstairs. Joe then snapped, 'You spent 20 minutes brushing you hair. We could have gone. We're gonna be late now, mate.'
Joe's parenting style was also commented on by family members. His sister Shana said, 'Joe is almost on the level of the children,' while Casie added, 'I think that's why our children love him as well because it's fun. He's like that all the time and if he tries to be strict, it doesn't really work.' Stacey's sister Jemma noted, 'He does try. He don't want to say no because he doesn't want to see a sad child but what he doesn't realise is he's making it 10x worse for himself.'
Despite the challenges, Joe is set to present a new BBC Three documentary, Joe Swash: Britain's Young Dads, exploring his own experiences as a young father and speaking to others in similar situations.
