News | Entertainment
19 Feb 2026 2:36
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Jamie Oliver wants his children to "struggle as much as possible"

    The 49-year-old chef - who has Poppy, 22, Daisy, 21, Petal, 15, Buddy, 13, and seven-year-old River with wife Jools - has spoken about his difficulties with ADHD and dyslexia but he believes it is important to face challenges throughout life.


    He told Psychologies magazine: "Confidence, worry and anxiety are all part of a cauldron of emotions that challenge us.

    "When you're young, they can present themselves as things that hold you back.

    "But, as you get older, [they provide] a tension that makes you do your best work.

    "Life's not supposed to be linear or easy. I want my kids to struggle as much as possible, in a safe and controlled way. If it's too easy, it's really vanilla."

    Jamie has raised his kids to look at life with a positive attitude.

    He explained: "Even today, I say to my girls, you have to brush your teeth, look in the mirror, and decide it's going to be a positive day - decide to be glass half-full.

    "And I know it's easier said than done. But if you try, it's about being glass half-full most of the time and hopefully having friends around you that will catch you on the not-so-good days."

    The 'Billy and the Epic Escape' writer grew up in a pub and he dreams of opening a boozer of his own one day.

    He said: "When I left for London at 16, my dream was to come back.

    "I love my life. And I love my team. And I love the work that I have the opportunity to do.

    "But I still haven't fulfilled my career goal, which was to open a beautiful pub and do my version of what I grew up in."

    © 2026 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     18 Feb: Kerry Katona is thinking of moving to Dubai
     18 Feb: Barack Obama believes in aliens but did not discover any evidence of their existence during his time in the White House
     18 Feb: Nancy Cartwright doesn't think AI has enough "heart" to replace her on The Simpsons
     18 Feb: Rupert Grint found life as a new dad "isolating" and "traumatising"
     18 Feb: Wunmi Mosaku has "not been able to celebrate" her Oscar nomination
     18 Feb: The Simpsons will never have an official ending
     18 Feb: Ted Danson has revealed Cheers was almost cancelled during its first season
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Leicester Fainga'anuku's been benched for Sunday's Super Rugby clash between the Crusaders and Brumbies in Christchurch More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Spark is satisfied with its latest financial results, despite falling short of analyst expectations in some areas More...



     Today's News

    Entertainment:
    Kerry Katona is thinking of moving to Dubai 21:57

    Accident and Emergency:
    Five fire crews are battling a house fire on Whangarei's on Morningside Road 21:57

    Entertainment:
    Barack Obama believes in aliens but did not discover any evidence of their existence during his time in the White House 21:27

    Business:
    Spark is satisfied with its latest financial results, despite falling short of analyst expectations in some areas 21:17

    International:
    Jesse Jackson helped lay the groundwork for Barack Obama and kept the fight for justice in the public eye 21:07

    Entertainment:
    Nancy Cartwright doesn't think AI has enough "heart" to replace her on The Simpsons 20:57

    Entertainment:
    Rupert Grint found life as a new dad "isolating" and "traumatising" 20:27

    Entertainment:
    Wunmi Mosaku has "not been able to celebrate" her Oscar nomination 19:57

    International:
    Equal time rule leads CBS to pull Stephen Colbert's James Talarico interview 19:37

    Entertainment:
    The Simpsons will never have an official ending 19:27


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd