Television star Ulrika Jonsson has revealed the heartbreaking reality of watching her children become independent adults, admitting she often feels her offspring "don't need her anymore" as they navigate their own lives.
The 56-year-old presenter, who rose to fame on Gladiators, shared her emotional journey through what many parents experience as "empty nest syndrome" - that poignant moment when children grow up and no longer rely on their parents in the same way.
The Reality of Parenting Adults
Jonsson, mother to four children ranging in age from late teens to late twenties, described the complex emotions that come with watching her children become self-sufficient individuals. "There's a strange mix of pride and sadness," she explained. "You spend years being their everything - the problem-solver, the comfort-giver, the chief organiser - and then suddenly, they're managing perfectly well without you."
The Swedish-born star has Cameron, 30, from her relationship with John Turnbull, Bo, 25, from her marriage to Lance Gerrard-Wright, and Martha, 20, and Malcolm, 18, from her marriage to Brian Monet.
Navigating Changing Family Dynamics
Jonsson spoke candidly about the adjustment required as family relationships evolve. "It's not that they don't love me or want me in their lives," she clarified. "It's that natural progression where they build their own worlds, make their own decisions, and create their own support systems."
She described the quiet moments when she realises how much has changed: "You notice the little things first - they don't call for advice as often, they handle their own appointments, they solve their own problems. It's what we raise them to do, but that doesn't make it any easier when it happens."
The Silver Linings of Empty Nesting
Despite the emotional challenges, Jonsson acknowledges there are positive aspects to this new chapter. "There's freedom in rediscovering who you are beyond being 'mum'," she shared. "You start to remember the person you were before children, and you get to explore new interests and relationships."
She emphasised that the bond with her children remains strong, even as its nature changes. "We're building adult relationships now," Jonsson noted. "It's different, but it can be just as beautiful - maybe even more so because it's based on mutual respect and choice rather than dependency."
Her honest reflections have resonated with parents across the country who are experiencing similar transitions in their family lives.
