Christine McGuinness believes she and ex-husband Paddy need to "move on" despite still living together.
The pair went their separate ways in the middle of 2022 after over a decade of marriage, but are co-parenting their three children – five year old Felicity and her older siblings Leo and Penelope, who are twins – and ahead of the big day next week, the 35 year old model told Closer all about their difficult situation as they look to maintain a sense of harmony around the festive season.
"Of course me and Paddy will be spending Christmas together because we still live in the same house," she said.
"I think we've got to move on, but for now it works for the children. We both go in and out and we've got a schedule we try to stick to and a routine for the kids."
Christine, who previously suggested she was "pretending to be someone else" for the entirety of their marital lives, added: "The one thing we agree on more than anything is that we just want what's best for our children, and that's to be a good mum and dad.
"I'm going to enjoy it, embrace my family around me and enjoy some nice food. I'm not too bothered about gifts. As long as you've got a roof over your head, gifts don't matter. We'll have a really good day – I can't wait."
Despite a packed working schedule, the mum-of-three explained that being there for the kids comes above everything else
"I think for me, something I've learnt more and more recently with the children being little is it's more about being present with them than the presents I give," she shared.
"So, around Christmastime, I always make sure that I'm at home more than ever – I love it."
This comes after Christine's exclusive interview with OK! earlier in the year, where she weighed in on her and Paddy remaining under the same roof.
"It's certainly not a long-term or forever plan," she claimed. "It works right now because we're both so busy and we're in and out of the home so we tend to swap days and we'll share.
"It's much like any parent really – juggling jobs and children. We definitely don't want to upset them or change anything too quickly, and for me as well. I like slow changes, and we're alright – we're family. I've known Paddy for 15 years, so I don't know life without him. It is what it is."
Asked if being a single mother scared her, Christine replied: "I think because my mum was a single mum with three children, I know I'll be fine. I've had the children a hell of a lot, from when they were newborns.
"Paddy was always working away and I was a full-time mum. I probably felt more like a single mum back then than I do now, because he's at home a lot more now than he was then. I think because of my mum I know I can do anything.
"She raised a family on her own with nothing. At least with mine I know we can put the heating on, food on the table, they're in a lovely school and we can get them new shoes if they need them, so we are in a really good place."
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