With the family in Italy without the kids' nanny, James Yap and wife Michela Cazzola are practically on hand 24/7 taking care of their kids, MJ, 4, and Francesa, 2.
The PBA superstar has always been mindful about spending quality time with his children, but how is he as a disciplinarian.
He said he's very much straightforward when it comes to disciplining the children.
"Pinagsasabihan na wag gawin iyan dahil mali iyan, ganyan So lahat ng ginagawa nila na bawal, pinapaintindi namin.
"Siyempre, hindi pa nila naiintidihan kung bakit bawal so kailangan ine-explain mo lagi," he told PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) last Monday, June 29.
The 38-year-old cager added, "Pag tama naman yung ginagawa nila, sinasabi rin namin.
"Like, for example, tutulungan nung lalaki yung baby sister niya. Sinasabi ko na, 'Tama yung ginagawa mo.
"Ganun din yung lagi kong sinasabi kay MJ na you should protect always your sister, take care of your sister.
"Lagi ko sa kanyang sinasabi kasi siyempre siya yung lalaki, di ba?
"Sinasabi ko rin kay Francesca na, 'You always love your brother,' ganyan."
James said about Francesca, who celebrated her second birthday last June 27, "More on curiosity siya ngayon.
"Tanong na ng tanong, makulit na so yun ang nakikita ko sa kanya ngayon."
MULTILINGUAL KIDS
The celebrity dad said he often speaks to MJ and Francesca in Tagalog and English, while his wife Michela coaches them to converse in Italian.
He said, "Taglish para matuto ng Tagalog and English. Pagdating naman kay Mik [Michela's nickname], Italian sinasabi ni Mik."
In an interview with SmartParenting.com, Michela said English was MJ's first language.
She said, "It’s a matter of being practical. So everybody understands when we talk to each other.
"And when I give instructions, I don’t need to translate. [That] would be tiring and time-consuming.
"So we went for the commonly spoken language in the house."
Michela is also eager to teach her kids to speak in Italian.
"My parents and other family members can speak English, but, of course, it is more natural for them to speak Italian.
"Also, we spend a lot of time in Italy, it is better that he knows the language, so I don’t need to translate everything!
"Italian has a complex grammar, best to learn it while young.
"For now, I am teaching him the simple basic phrases, he can pronounce. I just take it easy, so he doesn’t get confused."
James averred and told PEP.ph, "Yun ang gusto kong ipaturo sa kanila.
"Gusto ko nga lima pa, e, kasama yung dialect ko na Cebuano pati Illonggo."
He quipped, "Para hindi sila mabebenta."
Early in June, James and his family flew to Italy because of "pressing family matters."
James will return to the Philippines sometime this July, while the rest of his family will stay indefinitely in Italy.
Aside from MJ and Francesca, James has two older children.
James "Bimby" Yap Jr., 13, is his son with former wife Kris Aquino.
James also revealed he has an older child with an ex-girlfriend.
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