Los Angeles, Dec 5 (IANS): Former Spice Girl Melanie Chisholm, better known as Mel C, says she experienced difficult times when she first became a mother. But she credits her three-year-old daughter Scarlet for helping her become more confident and courageous.

"I am so much happier, more confident and courageous and it's all thanks to her. There were difficult times. In the middle of the night when she'd cry, then I'd start crying, but the rewards are fantastic," OK! Magazine quoted Mel C as saying.

"I knew when I got pregnant that things would never be the same again, but I didn't realise just how much things would change for me," said the 38-year-old.

She says she found it really tough being away from Scarlet for her tour and admits she always feels guilty when she is away from her little one.

"I had to go away for two weeks with the 'Jesus Christ Superstar' tour. It was really tough. I don't want to do something like that again. Sometimes coming to work feels like a break! But when you go to work, you do have this guilt. It's hard," she said.