Theirs is not the usual co-parenting setup, but Meryll Soriano and Jerika Ejercito talk about being co-parents to their kids, and becoming great friends in the process.
What can you read in this article?
- How Meryll Soriano and Jerika Ejercito became co-parents to their firstborns
- From co-parents to really good friends
- Lessons they want to impart to their kids
When you hear the term “co-parents,” what do you instantly think of? And when two women share an ex or both dated the same guy, is it automatic that they’re not going to be on good terms?
Celebrity moms Meryll Soriano and Jerika Ejercito break stereotypes as they co-parent their kids, Eli and Isaiah, and in their journey together, have become close friends.
Image taken from Jerika Ejercito’s Instagram account
On her latest YouTube vlog entitled “Co-Parenting with Jerika Ejercito,” Meryll expressed how special that episode was because she had a very special guest.
“I’ve been so blessed to have a co-parent that is such a beautiful person inside-out, and she is one of the bravest women that I know,” she said when introducing Jerika. “This time, hindi kami mag-asawa. Kami ay mga nanay na mayroong mga anak na magkapatid,” she added.
So how did Mamame and Mamika, which is how they call each other, become co-parents in the first place?
Meryll Soriano and Jerika Ejercito as co-parents
The word co-parenting is defined as sharing the duties and responsibilities of raising a child. This is often used for partners who are separated or are no longer together. So in the usual setup, the mom and the dad are the co-parents. Which is actually how Meryll and Jerika’s partnership started.
Jerika met Eli, Meryll’s firstborn son when he was only 6 years old. Back then, Jerika was together with Eli’s dad, actor Bernard Palanca, who is Meryll’s ex.
At that time, Jerika said that she really wanted Eli to know that the woman her father was with, thought of him dearly. And she wanted Meryll to know she had nothing to be worried about when it comes to her son.
“I really want you to feel that Eli will have a safe place with me,” Jerika told Meryll. “I wanted you to know that Eli will be safe and happy and taken cared of.”
Growing up in a very unconventional setup where she also had other siblings from different mothers and so much extended family. Jerika wanted Eli to know that what happened to his parents wasn’t his fault.
She said that this was what drew her to having a relationship with Meryll’s child outside of her relationship with her then-partner.
“The kids, they’re never at fault. Hindi naman nila kasalanan ‘yon eh. ‘Yon ang naging driving force ko to be in Eli’s life.”
They claimed that they somehow knew each other because they went to the same school. But it was at Eli’s 7th birthday party where they officially met. It was Jerika who initiated asking Meryll if Eli could spend time with them and being open to sharing Eli with his other family.
Screenshot from Meryll Soriano’s Youtube Channel
“Parang doon pa lang, nawala na ‘yong walls ko. Kasi I think that’s a big gesture (for you to do), as a mom.” she told Jerika.
Also coming from an unconventional family, it was not hard for Meryll to be accepting of the people in Eli’s life, especially with Jerika.
“Noong pumapayag ka nang kasama namin si Eli, parang may unspoken confirmation na, ‘Okay, pwede ‘to. She’s open.’ We can do this.” Jerika told Meryll.
Screenshot from Meryll Soriano’s Youtube Channel
And because of the genuine kindness and concern that Jerika was showing towards Eli, Meryll felt open to it. In fact, she and Eli were present when Jerika’s firstborn, Isaiah, was born.
And according to Jerika, it was such a blessing because their co-parenting relationship happened so naturally and organically.
From co-parents to close friends
Even when Jerika was no longer with Eli’s dad (so now they share an ex), Jerika still went on to be there for Eli and Meryll.
While their children’s welfare was their ultimate goal, the two moms agreed that their friendship was a beautiful result of the whole co-parenting setup.
“Aside from sa mga bata, ang naging result noon ay ‘yong naging pagiging magkakaibigan natin,” said Meryll.
“We always put the happiness of the children first. Bonus talaga ‘yong friendship,” agreed Jerika.
The two have gotten so close, that there are times that they go out and have talks that don’t involve their children.
Meryll is now in another relationship and has another baby, and Jerika is happily married with 4 kids, but their co-parenting relationship continues.
Screenshot from Meryll Soriano’s Youtube Channel
READ MORE:
Lessons from co-parenting
Because of the pandemic, Meryll and Jerika have not seen each other in a long time, and so have boys, brothers Eli and Isaiah. But they still remain close.
As moms, Meryll and Jerika both believe in destroying the stigma where stepbrothers or half-siblings should not be close and there should be competition among them. Fortunately, the two mothers are in agreement to never let their children experience these.
Image from Jerika Ejercito’s Instagram account
“Marami akong naririnig (sa co-parenting) na parang binubuyo na nila ‘yong mga anak nila to be against (the other party), which is very sad. And I’m so happy na hindi natin ever na-experience ‘yon,” shared Meryll.
“Kapag ganoon ang attitude ng mother sa bata, the child will grow up with so much resentment and hate towards sa kapatid niya,” said Jerika.
“So it’s something that you have to consciously try not to do kasi it’s not beneficial for the kids,” she added.
Instead, the two moms chose to be positive when it comes to parenting their children. So much so that they also agreed to not say anything negative about their firstborn’s father.
“We both agreed that we would never say anything negative about the father,” shared Jerika.
They’re not the typical co-parents, but they’re such an inspiring dynamic duo! Now, if only all parents would think like this, families would be happier and kids would grow up more emotionally stable.
Cheers to you, MamaMe and Mamika!
Source:
YouTube