Being a parent in this day and age can be terrifying. Global warming, a rise in fascist leaders, and the pandemic are some of the many concerns that young parents have.
Giving a voice to these anxieties is celeb mom Bianca Gonzalez, who shared on May 11 that raising her kids in the technology and disinformation age fills her with worry.
Instead of wallowing in hopelessness, she advises her fellow parents to take it as a challenge. “Kapag nakikita ko ang aming mga anak, alam kong kailangan naming gawin ang lahat para mapalaki sila na puno ng pag-asa at mulat sa mundo, maganda man o hindi ang pinapakita nito. At sila ang dahilan kung bakit patuloy kaming naghahangad ng mabuting kinabukasan,” the TV host writes.
Gonzalez listed some of the questions that she asks herself on Instagram, and it honestly reads like good parenting tips for anxious parents in 2022. Let’s take a page from her book.
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“Paano kaya namin sila matuturuan ng kung ano ang tama at mali?”
For Gonzalez, it’s important to teach kids to stand firm in their principles even if it’s the harder choice. She adds that being respectful and being open to other beliefs should come with holding on to knowing right from wrong.
“Paano namin matuturuan ang mga anak namin na magkaroon ng pananagutan sa kanilang pagkakamali?”
Listening to comments and criticisms is an ability that Gonzalez says we must impart. She considers it a must for parents to make kids feel that they’re still loved even if they commit wrongdoing—while also correcting them and instilling accountability.
“Paano namin matuturuan ’yung mga anak namin na di pwedeng gustuhin ang ‘good’ at ‘positive’ lang lagi?”
Gonzalez also believes that kids shouldn’t be taught to ignore terrible things happening in society in favor of positive vibes. “Hindi mawawala ang mali kung pumikit ka lang,” she says. Feeling sadness and anger is inevitable, so the challenge is to help kids process these emotions.
“Paano kaya namin matuturuan ang mga anak namin na hindi dahil kahit papaano’y kumportable sila sa buhay ay hindi na sila dapat maapektuhan sa nangyayari sa iba?”
Last but not the least is explaining why privilege comes with a bigger responsibility to be aware of the struggles that others face. Gonzalez points out that experiencing failure is part of life and what’s more important than winning is to teach kids to continue fighting for what is right.
Photo courtesy of Bianca Gonzalez’s Instagram
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