David Cameron has admitted that his job as Prime Minister can make it difficult to spend quality time with his three children, and that he sometimes feels guilty when he is unable to take them to school or help them with their homework. The politician invited Good Morning Britain presenter Susanna Reid into his Downing Street home where he gave a revealing insight into his family life.
© Photo: RexDavid Cameron opened up about family life in an interview on Good Morning Britain
Asked whether he felt "working parent's guilt", Mr Cameron replied, "Sometimes. I take them to school maybe once a fortnight, sometimes that slips and I feel sad. "That sort of time, taking them into school, chatting with the teacher, finding out how they are getting on, I love all that." Mr Cameron is a father of three children, Florence, four, Elwen, nine, and 11-year-old Nancy, with his wife Samantha Cameron – who, according to her husband, would make a good prime minister. "She's very good at giving a 'big picture' view," he said.
© Photo: RexDavid Cameron pictured on the nursery run with Florence last year
Mr Cameron revealed that he had spent one-on-one time with his youngest, Florence, at the weekend, including a trip to the cinema together. "Sam was with the others, so I took Florence and we went shopping and then we went to see Shaun the Sheep the Movie, which is brilliant. I thoroughly recommend it," he said. "And we had a lovely day together. When you have got three children, spending time with them individually, I really like doing that because that’s when they open up more. "Of course there are things you miss. I think school parent evenings – not as many as I should. Homework – not as much as I should." Asked whether his children had even been teased because of his job, Mr Cameron replied, "A little bit, but it seems to have been ok!" The Prime Minister also opened up about family life inside Number 10. "It's got a kitchen at the heart of it, it's where the children do their homework, where we have breakfast. Sam has done a brilliant job making it as different as possible to the rest of the building."
© Photo: RexThe Prime Minister admitted he sometimes feels 'working parent's guilt'
He added, "Florence, because she was born when I was Prime Minister, used to wander round the place like it was all her own, and she knew at which desk she would get a Polo mint and who would offer her an apple. "The others, they know where my office is and they know their way around the building but they live a relatively normal life. Nancy is now 11, and Elwen is nine, they are beginning to understand what being prime minister is all about. I hope they are proud, their daddy does an important job. "They are now very keen that the blue team win (in the general election) – they know daddy is in a tough fight, so they are getting behind me which is good to know." Mr Cameron, who has a live-in nanny, said childcare was the most important issue for most working families. "For lots of families it is not one issue amongst many, it is the issue," he said. "You are sitting around the table and you are talking about 'I would like to work more hours or more days and I can't because the childcare is too expensive'." He added, "We are very lucky, we have a live-in nanny who helps with the children and we pay her. That is the biggest element of the cost and that's very expensive, we are only able to do that because Samantha and me, we are both working." Asked if he thought he was "in touch" with struggling parents, he replied, "I do because when I go and meet people in their workplaces it is often the issue that people are most passionate about because it is the difference between the life they are living and the life they would like to live."
