I could handle their lies and sleazy looks from their husbands... until I heard the sick rumour of how I lost my baby weight: A shockingly candid account of being singled out as the 'bad mum' at the school gate

With my head down, I quickly walked back to my car after dropping my kids off at school, trying not to make eye contact with the other parents. Then I noticed him - one of the dads, who looked vaguely familiar. I didn't know his name but he knew mine, or at least my stage name. I could tell from the way he glanced twice at me that he recognised my tattoos. I'd been the stripper at a bucks party he attended the previous weekend.

Was it awkward to know a father from my children's school had seen me naked? Yes, but that's far from the only humiliation I face daily at the suburban school gate. Sensing his gaze, I quickened my pace, trying to avoid Stacey*, a jealous mum who has always given me a hard time just because of who I am. She has accused me of taking drugs before, which is completely false. At the end-of-year school lunch a few years ago, after I had my second son, she accused me of 'being on crack' for losing my baby weight swiftly when she hadn't.

She said it to me in front of all the other parents and teachers. I was mortified. Because of my reputation, the burden was on me to disprove the ridiculous claim, not on her to prove it. I stood up for myself but left feeling embarrassed. On another occasion, Stacey assumed I was on drugs because my ex-husband was a member of a motorcycle gang - also not true. I've worn the 'bad mum' label for years. And I'll admit, sometimes I'm not as polished or prompt as the other mothers at school, admits Nikki (pictured with two of her children and her partner).

Being the most tattooed mum at the school gate was always going to be a challenge, but I never thought it would be this hard. Some parents think I'm 'scary' or 'tough' and don't speak to me. The teachers can give me a hard time, too. I've carried the 'bad mum' label on my back for years. And I'll admit, sometimes I'm not as polished or prompt as the other mothers at my children's school. I've done the morning school run in pyjamas, no makeup and my hair in a messy bun because I was running late. Then I have to sign them into the front office and show my face to explain why they were late: because of me.

I'm forgetful and miss important dates, I'm disorganised, and my ADHD creates chaos. It's just who I am. Mornings are definitely my enemy. Everything goes wrong, causing a domino effect throughout the day. Before I go on, it's time you learned something about me: I used to be a stripper. Back in my stripper days, I would sometimes need to drop them off in thigh-high boots, shorts and a busty top before going to work the early shift.

It's fair to say I copped plenty of judgmental looks. On many occasions, I would see the other mums elbowing their husbands for looking in my direction. Teachers have scolded me for being late to parent meetings and assume I don't care about my children's education. I've received notes from them about sending my kids to school with bruised fruit when it's all I had left in the pantry that day. Nikki's former life as a stripper (pictured) meant she faced judgement at the school gate.

For years, I avoided speaking to other parents because I knew they were judging me. My anxiety was through the roof at pick-up and drop-off. I know that tension trickles down to my kids, who rarely get invited to birthday parties. Despite my past, and despite my ADHD, I've tried to fit in and be the best mum I can be, but the truth is, I fall short nearly every time. I've enrolled my three kids, aged five, eight and 14, in after-school activities but it was pointless: we'd either be late or miss the activities entirely because of my lack of planning.

As a single parent with limited support, I'm often juggling everything at once and it can feel overwhelming at times. Before I had children, I had a picture in my head of what kind of mother I was going to be: the type who bakes cookies, does arts and crafts every day, and generally has a happy family. But, boy, was I wrong. My life couldn't be further from what I thought it would be. Funnily enough, the only time I've felt like a 'good mum' was when I was a stripper.

My mornings were less hectic, I had time during the day to be with my children, we would go to the beach and build sandcastles before I went to work in the evening. Plus, the money was great. Now I work part-time at a tattoo studio and as a comedian. My schedule is packed with work. I wish I could be more present with my kids but my to-do list is always endless and I rely on screen time to settle them down.

Being a comedian also means I can be away a lot. Last August, I was overseas for five weeks performing at the Edinburgh Fringe and I'll do the same this year. I felt a lot of 'mum guilt' being away for so long. Before I left for overseas, I constantly received the same comments from other mums. 'How will you cope with being away for so long? I could never do that. I'd miss my kids too much,' they would tell me.