Mario Falcone admits being a stay-at-home parent is "intense" and "lonely".
The former ‘The Only Way Is Essex’ star has candidly opened up about becoming a first-time dad to his seven-month-old son Parker, who he shares with fiancée Becky Meisner, and the hunk says he first thought it’d be "great" to have the chance to be at home with his tot every day, but it can be tough because he’s still very young.
He said: "Before Parker was born, I was like, ‘Me and my son hanging out every day? Great.’
"But it is lonely, until he’s a bit older – I take my hat off to any mum or dad who stays at home with their kids because it’s more intense and lonely than going to work."
Mario has enjoyed watching his long-time beau become a mother to their child, but parenthood has tested their relationship, "pushing it to the brink".
He told OK! magazine: "The sleep deprivation is very hard. I think it pushes your relationship to the brink. Sometimes we both just want to kill each other.
"Like any couple, you work through that.
"It’s also given me a whole new level of love and respect for Becky."
The former ‘Celebrity Big Brother’ star wanted his make-up artist partner to go back to work because he loves her "drive" and "independence".
He said: "When we first had Parker, I said to her, ‘I have to go back to work.’ But she said, ‘No, it’s my business, it’s part of who I am. One of the reasons you loved me was because I was independent.’
"And it’s true, her independence and drive is one of the reasons I love her."
Mario Falcone says being stay-at-home parent is ‘lonely’
