Yahoo News Alex Jones opens up about maternity leave, imposter syndrome and not having more kids
Alex Jones has been gracing our TV screens as host of BBC One's The One Show for ten years and in that time has also been busy growing her family, welcoming children Teddy, 3, and Kit, 9 months, with her husband Charlie Thomson.
Now, the Welsh presenter, 42, is reflecting on her journey so far, and what she wishes she could have known before.
Alex, who has been vocal about the struggle of juggling motherhood and work, told Good Housekeeping she “definitely” wishes she’d taken a longer maternity leave after the birth of her first son.
“I’d made unrealistic promises before I went off to have a baby. I’d never had a child before; I had no idea. And I had this fear it would interfere, that I’d have to compromise my work life,” she said.
“I now realise that was ridiculous because in fact I think I makes you better at work. It makes you a little bit more resilient which is what you have to be in this industry. And in life.”
Another important issue Alex isn’t afraid to speak up about is the disparity between the pay of men and women. Referencing the pay gap present within the BBC, she said:
“I hate confrontation but if you feel in your heart of hearts that something isn’t right, you have to speak up and the right people will listen and not make the conversation difficult.
“Considering how far the world has moved on, it’s insane to think that one person would be paid any different to the person sitting next to them doing the same job because of their gender. I wouldn’t want my boys to grow up in a world where that was the case," she added.
Despite having the confidence to air her views – not to mention presenting live TV on a daily basis – Alex has her moments of doubt.
She told us that while her time spent hosting The One Show has been “the best decade” of her life, she still battles with imposter syndrome.
“I still have a major case of imposter syndrome. I’m constantly waiting for someone to go ‘Er, actually hang on a minute, we’ve made a terrible mistake here.’ I’m convinced I’m going to get that call,” she said.
On the subject of 'having it all' as a parent, Alex admits it's a struggle.
“I try to be the best mother I can be, but some days I’m absolutely awful at it. Life isn’t this series of perfect days where work is going amazingly and you’re a brilliant wife…. that’s how it is for everybody I think, but people are just too scared to say it,” she said.
Alex and her husband have decided to stop at two children.
“Charlie is adamant that for the sake of the planet, two children is enough. And I think I’m too old to have another child now, anyway. It happens for a lot of people and good for them, but we’re just glad we have two healthy children," she said.
Alex also chatted with Goodhousekeeping.com/uk about her famous friends, including the celebs she’d most trust to redecorate her house (Claudia Winkleman), dog sit (Rylan) and throw a party with her (Mel Giedroyc). You can watch the full video above.
Read the full Alex Jones interview in the April of Good Housekeeping, on sale now.
Alex co-hosts The One Show and will be a contestant on The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up to Cancer, which launches at 8pm, Tuesday 3rd March.
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