SNP MP for Glasgow North West Carol Monaghan missed her daughter’s birthday for the first time because of her new Westminster duties.

The 42-year-old said she was gutted that she couldn’t be with her daughter Muireann yesterday on her eighth birthday, but Monaghan said her daughter understood that her mum now had added responsibility and was proud of her achievements.

Monaghan, who gave up her job as physics teacher and head of science at Hyndland Secondary School to concentrate on campaigning, won her seat from Labour’s John Robertson with almost 24,000 votes.

Monaghan is married to Glasgow City councillor and physics teacher Feargal Dalton, also 42. They have a son Martin, 16, and two daughters Muireann, now eight, and Niamh, five.

Speaking yesterday from Westminster, Monaghan said she was still on a real high from the General Election results and thrilled to be serving her constituents but sad she had to miss her daughter’s big day.

She said: “It was an amazing result. I am so chuffed and still on a high.

“My husband and my son are delighted but the wee ones are missing their mammy. I suppose it is something I will need to get used to being away from them during the week.

“I am missing one of my kid’s birthdays for the first time ever and it has been very tough, probably worse for me than her because kids are resilient.

“I called Muireann in the morning to wish her happy birthday and she was excited because she got her present, which was the technical Lego she chose when we took her out at the weekend, but she is looking forward to me coming home on Thursday when we can actually have a cake and do normal family things.

“My husband and children have been hugely supportive. The only problem I have with this role reversal is that Feargal is rubbish at doing the girls’ hair so there’s a wee bit of training required.”

Before she became an MP, Monaghan had planned to move into a career in stonemasonry, her passion.

Monaghan added: “I’m not going to have much time for stonemasonry anymore and it will have to be put on hold but I have noticed that the Houses of Parliament need a wee bit of work done.”

She said the First Minister was “absolutely thrilled” by the achievements of the new Scottish MPs. Monaghan has been a member of the SNP since 2007 and said the referendum result gave her the drive to pursue politics.

She became an SNP candidate for Glasgow North West in January after being inspired by Sturgeon.

Monaghan said: “Nicola was part of the reason I got involved but I took a good look at myself and thought if we want to build the Scotland that we need, who is best placed to do it? I think you have to start looking at yourself and taking that responsibility.”

Monaghan plans to spend four days a week at Westminster but is keen to spend as much time as possible in Glasgow because, she said: “That is where I’m best placed to find out what my constituents need”.