Mariel Rodriguez-Padilla proves that parenting has become even more challenging under the influence of social media.
In an exclusive interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal), Mariel said her perspective on children's screen time and tech use has shifted.
Her kids nowadays are more frequently seen playing with traditional toys, sometimes in costumes, and allowed to use electronic gadgets only on certain days.
Mariel told PEP.ph, "Puwede sila mag-gadgets on weekend. On weekend, puwede sila, lalo na pag nag-i-school, pero pag naka-break sila ganyan kunwari holiday, ganyan puwede."
It didn't use to be that way in her household, especially for the reason Mariel has been busy herself vlogging and live selling.
Before, Mariel would rather that her daughter scroll through videos than be in the way and a nuisance when they got into tantrums.
"Alam mo yun kasi minsan talaga, minsan talaga, lalo na pag nandun, may pressure, e, na syempre ayaw mong maggulo dun sa ibang tao. Ganyan yung nangyari sa akin.
"Nagche-check in ako, nagche-check in ako. Kasi sleeping time nung anak ko, oh my god nagwawala talaga yung talagang matinding pagwawala talaga.
"Yun talagang kicking and screaming, kasi gusto niya buhat ko siya. E, paano ko naman gagawin iyon, e, nagche-check in nga ako?"
The 37-year-old mom continued to say her realization gave her a pause, ruing, "Dati nung una, jina-judge ko din yung mga mom na ganyan, mga pinapa-gadgets ang anak.
"Sa restaurant nakakita ako, sabi ko, 'Ano ba itong nanay na ito, nagse-cellphone yung anak.' Alam mo iyon na gaganon.
"Tapos yun pala pag ikaw din pala pagdating mo pa rin, 'O ito, anak, anak, ano gusto mo panoodin? Anong YouTube channel gusto mo panoodin? O ito ito ito mag-YouTube ka.'"
On the upside, Mariel expressed her understanding that it was all part of their family making history and building memories, the good and the bad.
She said, "Pero kasama iyon, those are the things na paglaki nila, ikukuwento ko sa kanila."
Read also: Mariel Padilla not keen on having baby number 3; jokes, "Ikakamatay ko na po."
ON DISCIPLINING HER KIDS
Mariel then opened up about how she dealt with her kids when they got out of hand.
She said, "I don't spank my kids. The other one I can sort of raise my voice, just so I’ll look, I’ll seem stern.
"But I'm not really like, I don’t shout at them because they will not understand it if I shout at them. They will not get it, so the most I can do is talk to them.
"And then before, I used to have that fear na, 'Oh, my gosh, may mga ibang tao, nakakahiya pag nagwawala, pag umiiyak.'
"Alam mo after a while, e, iniisip ko nalang itong mga people na ito nagkaroon din ito ng mga kids, and that’s why they’re kids.
"Magwawala talaga sila and sometimes hindi mo talaga ma-control. Siyempre, mas okay kung maco-control mo.
"O di kung yung anak mo di nagwawala, e, di ikaw na, galing mo, di ba? E, yung sa akin nagwawala, e, ganun talaga," she quipped.
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