Being a parent isn't always easy. Celebrity moms and dads are no exception! They, too, know the struggles we go through. Read on to learn more about seven great pieces of advice from celebrity moms and dads.
7 Pieces of advice from celebrity moms and dads
1. On dealing with your child's tantrums
In an article she wrote for The Manila Times, single mom Bettina Carlos shared an amazing piece of advice regarding tantrums. She writes:
"If your child throws tantrums, leave her. She should learn that making a scene would never get her what she wants. When she is calmer, ask her what she wants and give it right away. By doing so, she will learn that she only needs to ask properly to receive whatever it is that she wants."
2. On facing challenges as a parent
Cristine Reyes' husband Ali Khatibi shares this piece of advice that he lived by when their daughter Amara was born prematurely.
He shares, "When you have a kid, you have to be strong for that person, e. Hindi ka puwedeng mag-break down or you doubt yourself."
And we all agree that parents definitely need to be strong not just for themselves, but for their children as well.
3. On being the "perfect parent"
TV host, model, and celebrity mom Bianca Gonzales shares that she sometimes experiences "mommy guilt" and is sometimes faced with a lot of pressure to become a "perfect parent."
"Feeling ko parang I’m bad if I leave [Lucia] just to have fun or because I want to go out to buy things for myself. I give it as advice to other moms who gave birth after me: Don't be so hard on yourself. But it’s also something I’m guilty of," she shared.
She then went on to say, "Whenever I see posts it’s always the happy, beautiful, smiling, ‘this is the best thing ever’ side of motherhood. Pero when I experienced it the first three months — di ka naliligo, di ka kumakain on time. There are days that you cry. Sasabayan mo nalang yung baby mo kasi ‘di mo na alam kung bakit siya umiiyak."
4. On letting children play
Jennica Garcia-Uytingco, wife of Alwyn Uytingco and mother to two-year-old Mori shares the following piece of advice on her blog:
"It is not normal for a child to sit for long periods of time. You can just take her hand and bring her to an area where you can clean her wound. If she still wants to climb the stairs and the very thought scares you, she’ll value the experience more if you’d climb it with her."
Agreed. As much as parents want to protect their children from harm, it's just as important for kids to learn from experience and to "get down and dirty" every once in a while.
5. On being a more relaxed and confident parent
Judy Ann Santos, a mother of three, shared this important piece of advice that she learned from being a parent:
"Mas confident ka na lang na pag may nadapa, okay lang, madami pa 'yan. Hindi ka na masyadong nagugulat kapag may insect bites... So relaxed lang yung parenting style. We laugh more about situations, and we try build memories more with each child."
"We learn how to be more understanding and more positive in life. Mas palatawa na lang kami ngayon...Yun lang yung prayers ko every night, yung I'm very grateful and happy we live in a house that's full of laughter and love," she added.
6. On being honest and open with your kids
Actor Dennis Trillo, shared that when it comes to his son Calix, 10, being open with your child is very important.
"Siguro kailangan maging transparent ka lang. Yun ang pinakaimportante. Kasi pag naging transparent ka, hindi na siya mag-iisip ng kaung ano-ano kasi alam na niya ang totoo, e."
Learning to be honest with your kids helps build an environment of trust and can deepen and strengthen family relationships.
7. On the value of education and hard work
Single mom Denise Laurel has already taught her six-year-old son Alejandro the value of studying and hard work.
"I always remind him that education is not for me, it’s for his future, especially since I’m a single mom."
She added, "I don’t want [Alejandro] to be pressured that he has to be an honor student. I’m not pressuring him to be the best, I’m giving him the decision to excel. It’s his choice."
Regarding hard work and perseverance, Denise had this important lesson to share:
"I started in the industry as an extra, and because I really wanted it, I would [ride the] tricycle, jeep, or MRT (Metro Rail Transit) to where I need to be at
four o'clock in the morning... Hard work makes you stronger and be more capable of whatever it is that you want to do."
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