Atomic Kitten star Liz McClarnon has opened up about becoming a first-time mum at 44, insisting it is no different to having a baby in your twenties. The singer, now 45, who welcomed son Alexander with doctor husband Peter Cho in November last year after a gruelling four-year IVF journey, says the mental challenges of motherhood are the same at any age.
Motherhood at Any Age
In my head I am still about 16, Liz told the NetMums podcast. The only thing that is different is my bones creak a bit more, but I think it is the same with your 20 or your 44, mentally. It is just like, Oh my god, what do I do? That kind of thing. And then you slowly learn.
She added: I found that out with people who have had their second or the third child. You are like, I got this. And then the kid is totally different. And you are like, Oh, no, I have not got this. So if we are blessed with another one, then maybe that is what will happen to us.
Journey to Motherhood
The Liverpool-born star, who shot to fame with Atomic Kitten hits including Whole Again and Eternal Flame, met Peter on the dating app Hinge in 2021. The couple married in June 2023 and endured eight rounds of IVF, three failed embryo transfers and two miscarriages before finally getting their miracle baby.
Every time we failed, he would say, okay, it is up to you, Liz recalled. He did not put the pressure on me, but he was like, can you physically do this again? Where are you mentally? She added the experience brought them closer together. I really did realise that he was the right one, she said. We said it to each other several times: I cannot imagine doing this with anyone else.
Despite her lengthy journey to motherhood, Liz said she could only be optimistic about becoming an older mum. I think there must have been moments of doubt, where I was like, wow, I am going to be this age when he is this age. But you can only just carry on. She continued: I feel like people must look at me and think you have zero instincts... but it is my journey. You follow all the guidelines, but you just do your best. I am an impatient person, but if someone says, these are the rules, I will go, OK. So, I am trying to chill a bit.
Now six months into motherhood, Liz says she feels exactly as she should being a mum. I am knackered and I am really happy.
