Rooneys Open Up About Parenting Chaos and Family History in New Show

Wayne Rooney has stated that he and his wife, Coleen Rooney, will not hire a nanny, despite the challenges of raising their four sons. The couple, parents to Kai, 16, Klay, 13, Kit, 10, and Cass, 8, offer a glimpse into their busy family life in their new £10 million documentary series, "The Real Rooneys."

The show, filmed last year, captures the period when Coleen began to re-enter the workforce after being a stay-at-home mother while Wayne pursued his football career. Rooney, recently dismissed as manager of Plymouth Argyle, commented on Coleen's return to work, suggesting it is beneficial for her rather than solely focusing on childcare and him.

"I think Coleen going back to work is good for her, rather than just being here and looking after the kids and me as well," Rooney explained. "And that's coincided with me not having a 9-5 job so I'm here with the kids." He described the family environment as chaotic, with "chaos, fighting, arguing. Every day's a challenge with them." Despite the demanding nature of raising four children, Rooney emphasized his commitment to hands-on parenting. "People ask why don't we have a nanny. 'You can afford to have a nanny help you', but they're OUR kids," he said. "It's tough but enjoyable. You have some great moments, great memories with the kids and I wouldn't change it."

Coleen Rooney also shared her struggles with the evolving family dynamic, admitting she is still adjusting to being a working mother. In a conversation with her friend Danielle Gibson, she expressed a desire for balance but confessed to feeling "a bit sad at the minute," describing the atmosphere at home as "snappy, irritated." Tears welled up as she explained the difficulty of juggling responsibilities. "It's just a bit hard juggling everything and the house is not happy," she said. "I try and do it but it's - there's small problems that we need to fix and I've got no time to stop and fix it and that's a bit worrying."

She continued, "I prep and I try to do everything the best I can but I still find it really difficult leaving my kids. The hardest thing is picking the pieces up when you get back." Coleen reflected on her current situation, questioning her approach and acknowledging her own highly strung nature. "I need to calm down but that's because I'm quite highly strung. I feel I have a lot, I need to do a lot, but maybe I don't have to do it all."

A Look Back at Childhood Illness and Loss

The series also delves into Coleen's personal history, with her mother, Colette McLoughlin, recounting a near-fatal childhood illness. McLoughlin tearfully recalled how Coleen fell seriously ill at age three with encephalitis, causing her brain to swell. "She couldn't talk, she couldn't walk, she was stumbling her words," McLoughlin shared. "When we got to Alder Hey hospital she ended up in a coma... 24 hours [were] touch and go." Coleen had to relearn basic motor skills and speech following the coma. McLoughlin expressed profound gratitude for her daughter's survival.

Inspired by Coleen's experience, McLoughlin and her husband provided foster and respite care for children with special needs. This commitment led them to care for a two-year-old girl named Rosie, who had Rett syndrome, a rare genetic brain disorder causing severe disabilities. "We fell in love with her straight away," Coleen remembered. The McLoughlins eventually adopted Rosie and cared for her until her death at age 14, shortly before her 15th birthday.

Advocacy and Family Values

Coleen stated that her experiences with children facing significant health challenges have fueled her passion for advocacy. She has worked with UNICEF, visiting Ukrainian refugees in Poland for a promotional video. "For UNICEF to place me in that environment and that was my film to make I'm glad they did choose me because it's something I feel passionate about," she said, hoping the film will encourage donations. "But on a personal level I want to make my mum and dad proud and show them I've not forgotten the values they taught me growing up."