Lauryn Goodman: ‘I’ve named my son Kairo after watching Money Heist’

Being heavily pregnant in a pandemic meant plenty of time for indulging in box sets, and Lauryn Goodman reveals she chose her son’s name after becoming glued to Netflix series Money Heist. And after keeping it under wraps for 11 months, she is delighted to reveal to Closer that she has called him Kairo Walker.

“I was pregnant in the middle of the pandemic so I got into watching Money Heist,” she explains. “I really liked how all the characters were named after cities. That’s how I chose his name, Kairo, after Egypt’s capital but spelt with a ‘K’ to make it unique.”

But Lauryn has been criticised online for choosing to give her son the same surname as his father – Manchester City and England footballer Kyle Walker.

Lauryn is raising Kairo as a single mum after having a short relationship with Kyle – who has three sons with his long-term partner – in summer 2019, while they were both single.

“Single mums have questioned why Kairo’s surname is Walker because they say they don’t want to give the father the satisfaction of them having their surname. It was a mutual decision to name him Walker and I honoured that,” she explains. “I appreciate there was speculation, but I don’t feel I constantly have to justify myself for any decisions that are made with our son.”

Now raising her son alone, with family support from her mum, Carron, and sister and CBB star Chloe Goodman, 27 – who gave birth to her daughter Isla just two weeks after Lauryn gave birth to Kairo – and their youngest sister Amelia, 23, Lauryn says being a single mum is both difficult and rewarding.

“Every time I feel like breaking down, I look at my son. He gives me inner strength and courage I never knew I had,” she explains.

“And it’s been amazing sharing the first year of parenthood with my sister. Being able to bubble up, as we both have children under one, has been a huge help.

“Kairo loves Isla and he is always trying to cuddle and kiss her. It’s so cute. We’ve had to try to teach them to share toys!”

And they will have a new play mate for the pair in the coming summer, now that Lauryn’s close friend Lauren Goodger, 34, is expecting her first baby in July. The star announced she was pregnant earlier this year, but she rang Lauryn to tell her soon after finding out.

“Lauren told me pretty much straight away that she was pregnant, in the very early stages. She’s one of my closest friends and I’m thrilled for her,” says Lauryn. “I was shocked when she told me but at the same time I wasn’t, because I knew she’d always wanted to be a mum and we’ve had many conversations in the past about motherhood and families.”

And the star says Lauren, who last week announced she is having a girl, will take to motherhood well when she welcomes her daughter with partner Charles Drury – who she’s been dating since summer last year – in the summer.

Lauryn says, “I know she’ll be a loving mother and I cannot wait for her little one to arrive. It’s so exciting she’s having a girl and I’m so excited for our playdates. Lauren is a natural with children and it’s a side of her most people don’t see. I can’t wait for the babies to meet.”

For Lauryn, 30, becoming a mother has been extra special due to the fact she thought she’d never be able to have children without medical help.

The star suffers from endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and was told she wouldn’t be able to conceive naturally. So it came as a huge shock when she found out she was pregnant, telling Closer at the time that her son felt like a “miracle”.

Check out: celebs expecting babies in 2021

“Kairo is the most amazing thing to ever happen to me. He is so active and interactive now, he’s sponsored by Duracell,” she jokes. “He started taking his first steps earlier this year. By the time 3pm comes around, I’m knackered!”

But Lauryn says her son will likely be her only child. She says, “I think personally for me, I’m happy with just Kairo. He’s everything to me and I can’t see myself with more children. All my attention is on Kairo now and I’m enjoying every second.”

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‘All mothers have missed out in this pandemic’

She gave birth in the middle of the first wave of the pandemic last April, and Lauryn says her first year of motherhood has been a lot different from how she imagined.

She says, “The past 12 months have been beautiful but challenging all rolled into one. I’ve missed out on experiencing baby classes with Kairo, as all mothers have during this pandemic. However, we’ve got to spend quality time that maybe we wouldn’t have. It’s helped get a good routine together, that’s for sure! If this pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that time is precious and you can never get it back.

“I’ve bought so many toys though because he just gets bored and needs that stimulation. It’s so interesting to see his character develop. He is so active, charming and charismatic.”