Exclusive: Rio Ferdinand explains why he supports his children expressing their emotions by crying

Former football star Rio Ferdinand has opened up about the importance of encouraging children to express their emotions, including crying, as he launches a new campaign for McDonald’s for Mental Health Awareness Week.

In an exclusive interview with HELLO!, Rio shared how he and his wife Kate prioritize communication with their five children. He emphasized the significance of letting kids know that it’s okay to feel vulnerable and express their emotions.

The campaign, which involves removing the iconic smile from Happy Meal boxes, aims to show youngsters that it’s normal not to be happy all the time. Rio highlighted the need for parents to create a safe space for their children to share their feelings, even when things aren’t going as planned.

The message hits close to home for Rio, who tragically lost his first wife Rebecca to cancer in 2015. He acknowledged the pressure kids feel to always appear happy, especially after experiencing loss or difficult situations.

McDonald’s is partnering with BBC Children in Need to provide resources for parents on how to approach conversations about mental health with their children. Rio emphasized the importance of communication in releasing tension and anxiety, ultimately leading to a better understanding and connection within the family.

The campaign serves as a reminder that it’s okay to not always be happy and that expressing emotions, including crying, is a natural and healthy part of life.