Kate Ferdinand has opened up about the stress of becoming a blended family at Christmas as she teams up with a psychologist in her latest podcast.
Former TOWIE star Kate, 31, is step-mum to husband Rio's three kids Lorenz, 14, Tate, 12, Tia, 9 and and the pair also have son Cree together.
The Manchester United star's late wife Rebecca Ellison passed away in 2015 after a short battle with cancer.
Kate admitted she has found it hard to become a blended family but has found a way to ensure she is part of the celebrations.
Speaking on her Blended podcast she explained: "It's really hard when you come in to a family and there's a set way of doing things and you weren't there when that was started.
"So we especially start small little new traditions and that's a new little memory for us as a family."
Kate welcomed Professor Lisa Doodson to give her expert take on the topic as she explained: "Blended families are just a little bit more complicated than biological families.
"Everything takes a bit longer and you have to try and plan a bit more. If you are a planner it's great, if you are not it can be a bit stressful.
"People coming at you, it is difficult. Make people realise it is harder for you as a family."
But she admits her children are more than happy with the set up and often it's parents that feel the pressure for it to be 'perfect'
"We've actually gone on holiday so we may have Christmas day with Rio's family and then another day with my family and then Rebecca's family and the kids love it," she added
"We've got three or four Christmasses, loads of presents, loads of chocolate.
"Sometimes I think as parents we over think it but as my children, we've had three Christmasses this year. It's been great."
Kate admits she finds Christmas presents a task for her brood as she is the list maker but 'doesn't want anyone to get a 'rubbish' present.
She explained: "Even Christmas lists are stressful in our house we have so many families, like my family, Rio's family and Rebecca's family and the kids don't want to talk about it cos it's stressing them out."
She says although she takes charge of 'the list' she feels the pressure that everyone everyone's got a present that they are happy with and that they really want.
She added: "It sounds really silly but it can cause issues it really can."
Professor Lisa agreed with Kate and said planning is key to making it easier on families — if both parties are willing — to agree what gifts to buy and how to make things as smooth as possible.
She added: "It's about putting it in perspective. It's a family day, we want everyone to have a nice time. Again, this year, pressure is on all of us. Try and just have nice things planned. It's about creating memories, particularly if you don't see them the whole of the festive time because you are sharing them."
And although the Christmas arrangements can prove stressful there's one area where she is happy to take full control over.
She added: "I am very controlling over the tree. We did use to have an adult tree and then a kids tree. That's kind of gone now."
To listen to the full podcast go to Apple Podcasts Blended.
