Paddy McGuinness and his wife Christine have shared their joy at going on a family holiday for the first time.
The couple are parents to four-year-old twins Penelope and Leo, who both have autism, and have said the children can struggle to cope with new situations.
In an Instagram post Paddy and Christine both shared on their respective accounts, showing their car packed up with the children’s duvets, the pair confirmed they’ve enjoyed a weekend away.
The post read: “Being parents with autistic children, for us, family holidays have been a pipe dream until now! After 4 and a half years we’ve finally conquered a family holiday… to Preston!!! Ribby Hall Village to be exact.
“We managed two days there, which for us was massive. We had to take so much stuff as familiarity is so important.
“To see our kids having fun was well worth it and they dealt with the change so well. We had our own little bungalow/chalet which was great.”
The couple hope their experience will be encouraging to others raising children with autism.
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“If you’re a parent dealing with autism on a daily basis please don’t give up hope on things like holidays. It was a hell of a long time getting there but we did it. Now all I need to do is sleep for a week!!!”
The couple both tagged in Autism Awareness Day in their posts.
In a separate post, Christine shared a selfie of her and Paddy on their holiday, writing: “We did it!!! Our first ever night away WITH the children! They coped so well with the change, very proud parents today #autismawareness. Now we just need our first night away without the children.”
In an Instagram live story, Christine couldn’t stop giggling as she told her followers their holiday was far from exotic as it was freezing in Preston.
But the family didn’t let the cold weather spoil their fun as they enjoyed a trip to the zoo.
The couple also have an 18-month-old daughter, Felicity, who Christine recently told the Loose Women has been showing signs of autism.
However, she said a full diagnosis couldn’t be made until she’s older.
Christine said: “It’s been difficult recently but I try and take the positive out of everything.”
She and her Take Me Out host husband Paddy are keen supporters of autism charities and raise awareness of the condition to help others.
They are currently organising a Twinkle Ball in Manchester to raise money for the National Autistic Society.
Christine has also given her support to Autism Together’s Future 50 appeal.
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