It broke the internet when Peppa Pig’s parents, Mummy Pig and Daddy Pig, announced they were having a third piglet - due in the summer. Soon Peppa, four, and her little brother George, two, will have a baby sibling to contend with as the family go the whole hog and add to their litter.
The huge appeal of the cartoon characters – and the excitement the news has stirred among their global fanbase - is not to be snorted at, which is why we rolled out the red carpet when Mummy Pig arrived for Grazia’s exclusive ‘shoot’ and ‘interview’, glowing and cradling her bump.
Here, she sits down to tell us how she's feeling about hearing the pitter patter of tiny trotters again – as she reveals the gender, sharing the news and we’ve all been waiting for...
So, go on, tell us the gender of Peppa Pig's new baby sibling!
M: Gosh! We’re going straight in, are we? Haha! Well, I suppose I can tell you that Peppa and George will soon have a new baby… sister! We’re all incredibly excited to meet her when she arrives in summer.
Congratulations! Do you have any baby names for Peppa's new sibling yet? If you can’t tell us what, we’d love to know if it was an easy choice or if you’ve struggled to think.
M: We’ve got SO many ideas for names. Too many, frankly! Oink! Knowing it’s a girl has narrowed our options down a bit – I’m not sure Peter, Percy or Patrick Pig really work as girls’ names! But it’s too difficult to choose now. When she’s here and looking up at me and Daddy Pig, we’ll just know the perfect name. That’s what we did when Peppa and George were born.
How have you been feeling?
M: I think the easiest way to explain it would be that I’m feeling... everything, all at once! Thrilled, nauseous, a little nervous about having three little ones running around… you name it, I’m feeling it. But most of all I’m just excited to meet her, and grateful for all the ways that Daddy Pig, Peppa and George have been looking after me!
Does pregnancy feel any different third time around?
M: Every pregnancy is unique, isn’t it? I suppose now that I’m doing this for the third time, I’ve learned to expect the unexpected! Oink! The real difference is that we already have two children under five to look after, and they never stop! But luckily that’s when Daddy Pig is at his best. He can always keep up with Peppa and George’s games – especially when I need some rest.
Have you had any pregnancy cravings?
M: I do like the occasional peanut butter and pickle sandwich, it has to be said. And by occasional I do mean every lunch time… and sometimes dinner, too. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it!
Has this experience brought you and Daddy Pig closer together?
M: Oh yes! He’s always been such a supportive partner – and an excellent Daddy to Peppa and George – but this has brought all of us even closer. Even when there’s so much to organise and prepare before the new arrival, he is kind and funny and always quick to do whatever needs to be done to look after ‘Team Pig’ as he likes to call us.
In a cost-of-living crisis, three children sounds challenging financially. How will you afford it?
M: Well, that is a good question. I won’t say it hasn’t been a concern for us – babies are expensive, and times are already quite tight. We still have lots of Peppa and George’s pre-loved baby things for the new little one to use, so that helps with some of the costs – and it’s very good for the planet, too!
What will your childcare arrangement be?
M: Granny and Grandpa Pig have already been scheduling in the days when they want to help look after the new arrival, and of course Peppa and George will still be at playgroup. Not to mention how many people have offered to babysit, as well. It takes a village to raise a little one – but luckily that’s exactly what we have.
Do you know yet how long you plan to take off for parental leave?
M: I’m self-employed and working from home, so it’s all quite flexible. There won’t be too much pressure to get back to writing, but it’s what I love to do, so I’ll be posting throughout my journey and providing lots of tips and tricks for all the mummies and daddies out there. Stay tuned and be sure to follow my socials oink!
How do you and daddy pig split the load?
M: Juggling life, work and two little onesis quite second nature to us now – we’re a great team and support each other. Communication is key! Of course, a third little piggy does mean we’ll be outnumbered, so things will get busier… and the house might get messier… and smellier. But we’ll manage. It’ll all be worth it when we come together for a family squish at the end of the day.
How would you describe your parenting styles? What are your big ‘dos and don’ts’?
M: For us, it’s all about meeting Peppa and George on their level and helping them to express themselves – their big thoughts and feelings – in ways that feel helpful. We teach them to treat others as they’d want to be treated, and to look after each other and their friends however they can. Kind hands and kind words, as we say. But when they do get upset or angry, as all little ones do sometimes, they know they can come to us, and we’ll figure it out together – and be back to giggling and oinking together in no time.
How much screen time are the kids allowed? We all know screen time can be addictive.
M: It’s all about balance, isn’t it? We love a family movie night, and sometimes it’s nice for them to sit down together with one of their shows or games – and give us parents a moment to rest as well! Oink! But they’re always making up games and stories, painting and drawing and running around outside – even on rainy days there are muddy puddles to go outside and jump in. So, they’re never sat down with a screen for too long.
Will we see a birth episode?
M: You’ll have to keep an eye out on my socials to find out! I’m sure there’ll be more than a few stories to tell as we meet the new little one.
What’s your best tip for existing parents, and new parents expecting a little one?
M: Sleep when the baby sleeps, you can never pack enough nappies and trust your instincts.
But really, it all comes down to teamwork. Whatever that looks like for you – a co-parent, family and friends, or local groups for new parents – having people to talk to and to go through it all with you is SO valuable. Make sure you’re looking after yourself, as well as your little ones. And enjoy every moment – they’ll be bigger and running circles around you before you know it.
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Anna Silverman is the award-winning features director at Grazia magazine, where she heads up the features section and commissions, edits and writes. She's interviewed everyone from Jane Fonda and Ronan Farrow to Keir Starmer and Louis Theroux. She launched Grazia's Women in Westminster page - for which she interviewed a different female MP each week - and has been shortlisted for multiple BSMEs and PPAs. She also worked on Grazia's Cyberflashing campaign, which won Best Campaign at the BSMEs.
Her highlights include interviewing frontline medics for an NHS cover special at the start of the pandemic and her exclusive interview with then Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, which made headlines in multiple newspapers. She's reported from the US on the opioid epidemic and Trump's female support base, and from Bangladesh and Lebanon on the Rohingya and Syrian refugee crises. She is about to judge the features category for the Amnesty International Media Awards for the second time.
Follow her on Instagram @itsmeannasilverman and Twitter @Annasilverman1.