Jamelia discusses her childhood and the importance of breakfast clubs
She may be best-known as a pop icon and former Loose Women panellist, but Jamelia Davis has now teamed up with Kellogg’s to celebrate the country’s best breakfast clubs. She opens up about sending the kids back to school, juggling work with raising a family and why breakfast clubs were a staple of her childhood.
How are you feeling about the kids going back to school?
‘I always find back to school a little bittersweet if I’m being honest. As much as I feel like a get a sense of the return to normality (and a clean and tidy home), I do miss all the quality time we spend together. But knowing that my children love school makes it a lot less hard to bear.’
How do you juggle having a career with raising a family?
‘I’m not superwoman, I am literally the same as every other parent. You always find a way to get things done. It’s hard at times, but I’m very fortunate that my job allows me the flexibility to pick and choose when I work. Also organisation is a must, so I do everything in my power to not miss special occasions – and so far I’ve never missed a birthday or a school play. It is important your children have you there to share those moments with them, and I wouldn’t want to miss out!’
What would be your advice to parents who are juggling work with family life?
‘You can do it. Children are not anchors, setbacks or disturbances, and as long as we don’t treat them as such, anything is possible. And it’s great to show our families we can juggle, prioritise and work hard.’
Are you working on any projects at the moment?
‘I’m doing far too much at the moment, but I do love being busy! I’m creating for my Youtube channel, which I love doing, I’m writing two books, working on a couple of business ventures with my daughters and I’m also in the process of creating a haircare range with my husband, among a million other things!’
Very impressive! You have also teamed up with Kellogg’s to launch their Breaskfast Club Awards. Did you ever attend a breakfast club?
‘Growing up, breakfast club was a key part of our family life and was a great driver in growing my confidence as a child. Everyone loves to be part of a club. My mother was a single, working parent, so breakfast club provided support and enabled her to go back to work, while ensuring I had the best start to the day.’
Do your children attend a breakfast club?
‘Breakfast clubs are invaluable and I have used them for my girls. I actively promote breakfast and why it’s the most important meal of the day. It sets you up emotionally and physically. I can’t function without a decent breakfast and it’s a healthy habit that I want to ensure I pass onto my girls.’
Why did you want to launch the Kellogg’s Breakfast Club Awards?
‘It is fantastic to be launching the Kellogg’s Breakfast club awards, an event dedicated to celebrating the wonderful, and inspiring, work that goes on in breakfast clubs up and down the country. This year marks 20 years of Kellogg’s supporting breakfast clubs, so the awards is going to be extra special. I urge school breakfast clubs to get their entries in now – we can’t wait to hear all about your amazing clubs!’
