Phoebe Burgess has opened up about the challenging and rewarding aspect of family life while navigating motherhood as a single parent.
The ex-NRL WAG, who shares two children with ex-husband Sam Burgess, admitted that being a single mum is ‘not always easy’ but is very grateful for her close-knit support network.
Speaking exclusively with Daily Mail Australia, Phoebe discussed being a ‘hero’ in the eyes of her adorable two kids – Poppy, seven, and Billy, five – after unveiling her surprising new career move this week.
The busy mum has released a new children’s book, titled Zach and Zoe’s Hide and Sneeze, which aims to raise awareness of allergic rhinitis in kids – a condition that affects millions of Australians from the age of four.
Collaborating with hay fever and allergy brand Zyrtec, Phoebe channelled own experience as a single mum whose children have been diagnosed with the allergy.
The book features two young kids and their mother, who transforms into a superhero after solving their allergy symptoms during a game of hide and seek.
‘I’m writing the book, and all I can write is what I know and what our environment is at a certain time,’ Phoebe told Daily Mail Australia.
‘But the key thing in our household is, I’m the one that would be the person wearing the cape in the children’s eyes at the moment in our daily life, because it’s the three of us.’
Phoebe Burgess (pictured) has opened up about navigating motherhood as a single parent after unveiling her surprising new career move
The mother-of-two said goodbye to Sydney at the beginning 2020, moving away from the city and is now living with her parents on their sprawling property in the Southern Highlands.
Phoebe said it’s one of the best decisions she’s made for her two kids when it comes to preserving childhood innocence and freedom.
‘I learned really early on that there’s a trade off. My kids love the space,’ she said.
‘Billy has an electric bike, and dad’s just made him a cool track out in mum’s horse arena of jumps… Poppy just loves going outside and being creative.’
The former television producer revealed she would most likely be living in a small apartment in Sydney if they had decided to stay following her split from Sam in 2019.
The ex-NRL WAG, who shares two children with ex-husband Sam Burgess , admitted that being a single mum is ‘not always easy’ but is very grateful for her close-knit support network. Pictured: Phoebe (centre) with her daughter Poppy (left) and son Billy (right)
‘It’s an absolute privilege to have [space] when your kids are young. I want them to be free and I want them to be wild. And the reality would be that we would be probably in an apartment if we came back to the city,’ she added.
‘I absorb the risk. I absorb the downside by driving up and back for work. I’m lucky that my mum can pick the kids up from school if I was stuck on the highway or something.’
Phoebe continued: ‘I know it sounds silly, but I would bring them to Sydney to stay for a little bit, and it just wasn’t the same. They’re really happy with the freedom of running in and out.’
Speaking exclusively with Daily Mail Australia, Phoebe discussed being a ‘hero’ in the eyes of her adorable two kids – Poppy, seven, and Billy, five
‘It’s not always easy, and it’s not perfect… I can’t give them everything I’d like to, but that’s something that I can give them.’
Phoebe went on to discuss her experiences with allergies in her son and daughter, and emphasised the importance of parents being aware of their children’s health and seeking medical attention when necessary.
‘I’ve always felt that any feeling my kids have any ounce of discomfort, any pain, any sneeze, I think, as a mum, you feel it yourself,’ she told Daily Mail Australia.
‘Living on our family property, Poppy and Billy are always running wild outside. I noticed they would come inside sneezing, with watery eyes or scratching an itchy skin rash.
The mum-of-two has released a new children’s book, titled Zach and Zoe’s Hide and Sneeze, which aims to raise awareness of allergic rhinitis in kids. Pictured: Phoebe (centre) with her daughter Poppy (left) and son Billy (right)
‘When you see your kids uncomfortable, even if it’s something small, I felt I wasn’t seeing something. I felt maybe I wasn’t doing a great job.
‘But I went to my GP and I got the information I needed. And I think with the book, I want parents to know this books for them, your kids can hopefully relate to the scenarios we’ve put in there.’
Phoebe was previously married to NRL star Sam Burgess for four years.
Sam and Phoebe wed in 2015, separated in late 2018 and rekindled their relationship in early 2019 before splitting for good in October that year.
After the celebrity couple parted ways, their divorced was finalised in April 2020.
Sam, formerly of the South Sydney Rabbitohs, admitted on SAS Australia to cheating on his wife with a woman in Melbourne in 2017.
He is now engaged to Leeds hairdresser Lucy Graham and the couple share a baby daughter named Robbie.
The former Rabbitohs player proposed to Lucy in June 2023, just nine months after they went public with their relationship.
Phoebe’s book, Zach and Zoe’s Hide and Sneeze, will be available as a free gift with purchase at Chemist Warehouse, Terry White Chemmart and other participating independent pharmacies, from 1st September to 30th November 2024, or until stocks last.
It will also be available as a downloadable e-book from local participating grocery stores.
Collaborating with hay fever and allergy brand Zyrtec, Phoebe channelled own experience as a single mum whose children have been diagnosed with the allergy
Phoebe was previously married to NRL star Sam Burgess for four years. Both pictured
