Rachel Riley and Pasha Kovalev struggle to balance work and parenting

In the UK, Rachel Riley and Pasha Kovalev are balancing their busy work schedules with parenting their two daughters, Mave and Noa. As Pasha prepares for a tour starting in September, the couple is taking turns caring for their children to ensure one parent is always at home. Rachel highlights the importance of checking each other's schedules before committing to new projects, aiming to provide a stable environment for their daughters while also teaching them about the value of work.

Rachel Riley and Pasha Kovalev struggle to balance work and parenting
1 source
Published Aug 11, 2026

Topic overview

Briefly

  • Rachel Riley and Pasha Kovalev are parents to two daughters and are managing their work-life balance.
  • Pasha is going on tour from September to mid-November, prompting them to take turns caring for their children.
  • They emphasize the importance of ensuring one parent is always at home for their daughters.

What happened

In the United Kingdom, Rachel Riley and her husband Pasha Kovalev are navigating the challenges of parenting while managing their busy work schedules. The couple, who married in 2020, are parents to two daughters, Mave, six, and Noa, four. As the school holidays approach, they are tasked with finding childcare solutions. Rachel has shared that they take turns looking after their daughters to ensure that one of them is always at home while the other focuses on work commitments. Pasha is set to go on tour with fellow Strictly Come Dancing professionals from September to mid-November, which adds to their scheduling challenges.

Rachel emphasized the importance of checking each other's diaries before committing to new projects, ensuring that one parent is available for their children at all times. This approach allows them to maintain a balance between their professional lives and family responsibilities. Rachel noted that it is beneficial for their children to see their parents working and to learn about the value of money. She expressed that while they prefer to have one parent at home, their busy schedules often lead to them being like 'ships passing in the night.'

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Pasha had the opportunity to spend significant time with their daughters when his stage work was canceled. Rachel reflected on this time, stating that it was nice for Pasha to bond with their children during their early years. She believes that whether in the public eye or working in an office, the key is ensuring the happiness of their children. Rachel also mentioned that Pasha helps with household chores, such as taking out the bins, which contributes to their partnership.

In addition to their parenting challenges, Rachel has partnered with Energizer for a campaign focused on battery safety. She highlighted the dangers of small lithium batteries, especially during the summer holidays when children are home more often. Rachel stressed the importance of being aware of potential hazards in the home, particularly when children are visiting relatives. She noted that the campaign aims to raise awareness about battery safety and the need for parents to be vigilant about household safety, especially with young children around. Rachel's involvement in this campaign reflects her commitment to ensuring a safe environment for her children and others during the summer months.

Comprehensive report

Full story,
in detail.

Trace the developments that led here, see how the story evolved, and understand the forces and wider context surrounding it.

Entities

How Mestios works We aggregate coverage, extract key information, and use AI to summarize and compare perspectives. Learn more

Updated Aug 11, 2026

AI-generated summary. Please verify important information from original sources.