"Your goal is to raise your kids to be happy kids. When they’re happy, they will function magnificently."
She's called the face of dance in the Philippines, but behind the scenes, who is Teacher Georcelle? Is parenting particularly easier for her because she's a mentor? Or does drawing a fine line between the two helps her more?
Here's some parenting tips straight from the girlboss of the premier dance company, G-Force, but most especially -- the mom of three very talented kids.
Teacher Georcelle on discovering your children's talents
Being a mom of two teenagers and a tween, Teacher Georcelle said that parenting is definitely challenging, but worth it.
Her eldest daughter, Jaja, is 19 years old. She already handles some classes on G-Force and it's undeniable that she took after her mother. But according to Teacher Georcelle, she's not taking credit for it. She insists that none of it is because of her name, but purely because of Jaja's talent.
Looking back, she recalls that Jaja was a bit of a late bloomer in terms of discovering her love for dance. She was already in high school when she started showing interest in it and as a mom, Teacher Georcelle never felt the need to force her.
"My eldest is already handling classes in G-Force and her class is super packed. Everytime she opens a class, nakakatuwa kasi maraming pumupunta. Not because she’s my daughter, but because she’s Jaja. Ang claim to fame ko na nga is I’m the mom of Jaja, I’m not Teacher Georcelle. But you know, I give them time. Had I forced her, baka hindi ganyan 'yung love niya for dance and choreography."
Kids develop differently, give them time
If she's going to compare her children's development with each other, she said that they are all different, but that doesn't mean that they are not equally gifted.
"What’s interesting is my eldest is different from my second. Jaja, her interest in dance, I didn’t notice it that early. When she was in high school, that’s when the dancing flourished. But with BJ, from the time he started walking, when he hears music he starts grooving. My youngest is still exploring. Because he’s 10 years old, he’s mostly with his friends and none in his friend group is into dancing."
Honestly speaking, she said that her youngest kid, who is 10 years old, shows more interest in basketball than dance. But she said that she doesn't take it against him. She wants to support her kids whatever they want to do, as long as it makes them happy.
One more principle that she upholds is that being happy is more important than being successful. She said that your journey in life will not be counted through the amount of achievements you get, but how happy you become in the end.
"I always tell them, just go and follow your heart. Whatever excites you, that’s where your path will lead you. So do the thing that excites you."
Pressure from society
Because she is very successful in the industry, she said her kids definitely experience pressure here and there. But as a mom, she reminds them to not dwell on pressure and not get validation from people whom they don't even know.
She also said that it's important to make your kids feel special and important because if they have a good foundation, they will be equipped to deal with what's happening around them. As parents, we can't really be with our kids 24/7, but knowing that you have instilled these important principles in them, you'll have reassurance that they have the capacity to filter what will be good for them and what won't be.
For her, having an open communication with your kids is very important. She actually feels blessed because her husband is a natural when it comes to parenting, she is the one who admittedly does more research, but together, they have built a relationship with their kids where they can be transparent.
Teacher Georcelle's parenting golden rule
"I believe that children learn what they live. I discipline myself first then I create an environment that is happy and what I think is best for them -- that will flourish them. My husband and I always tell our kids to choose good over bad and right over wrong."
Instead of focusing on what they can and cannot do at a certain age, let them enjoy the stage of exploration -- of getting to know themselves. As a parent, your role is to show them your support and cheer for them. Be present in the moment and take this time as an opportunity to spend more time with them!
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