Actress Kym Marsh, 35, is best known as Michelle Connor in Coronation Street. She is mum to Polly, 1, Emily, 14, and David, 16.
Prima Baby: There's a big age gap between your first two children and Polly. How have things changed in the world of parenting?
Kym Marsh: Everything's changed from basic things like sterilising bottles - it was tablets in cold water when David was a baby - to my own circumstances. I'm in a better position financially, but don't have the energy I had when David and Emily were babies. That said, I wasn't working back then, which makes a difference.
PB: So do you have two babysitters on hand?
KM: When they're a bit older, certainly. Polly is obsessed with her big brother - she shouts his name and her face lights up when she sees him. It's sweet.
PB: You're supporting the British Toy & Hobby Association's Make Time To Play campaign. What sort of activities do you like to do with Polly?
KM: I think that what children crave is your time and attention; the games you play are secondary. That said, Polly loves her mini trampoline, and her Winnie the Pooh baby walker - she zooms around with it. We also read lots of books and play hide and seek. It's not all about expensive toys - it's great to see children use their imaginations.
PB: Are you seeing Polly's personality emerge?
KM: She's a very happy baby, very bubbly and sociable. She's also got tons of energy - she's just like Emily in that sense. Emily was always raring to go as a toddler, and she'd be on the trampoline from 7.20am until teatime if she could!
PB: Polly was seven weeks premature. That must have been a scary time for you...
KM: It was, and I feel thankful for my family every day. Polly was a little behind with her milestones at first, but she's really caught up. I'm so grateful that she is healthy (Kym lost a baby, Archie, in 2009, after he was born 18 weeks early). I have very difficult pregnancies, and have decided that this is it. My family is complete.
Kym Marsh is supporting The British Toy & Hobby Association's Make Time To Play campaign.
