MANILA, Philippines — Power couple Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera revealed that their two kids had no iPads save for when they need it for school.
Dingdong and Marian shared this and their parenting style when they sat down with Ogie Diaz for the latter's YouTube vlog.
The conversation started when Ogie asked them on how they discipline their kids. The couple shared that they put on a "united front" in disciplining kids, meaning, they have come to agree on their house rules and remain steadfast in observing them.
Among their rules are no lies, even white lies, and no iPads for the kids.
"Ako 'yung nagtutuwid sa kanila pero may usapan kaming dalawa na kapag nagalit ako, kampi kaming dalawa. So sabi ko, 'Parang walang kwenta 'yung pagdidisiplina ko kung kakampihan mo'," shared Marian.
Dingdong agreed, saying that he and his wife put on a "united front" whenever it comes to raising and disciplining their two children, Zia and Ziggy or Sixto.
Never hesitate to say sorry
They may be strict, but Marian said that they do not hesitate to apologize whenever they went overboard with how they enforce discipline.
She admitted that there were times that her anger gets the better of her. Ogie remarked that it's good that she is aware that parents can also commit mistakes.
"Ay hindi. 'Pag alam ko na minsan napa-sobra ata 'yung galit ko, kakatok ako. Kausapin ko. 'Nak, sorry ha. Si Mama ganito. 'Yun ang sinasabi ko sa lahat ng parents e.
"Huwag kayong matakot mag-sorry sa mga anak n'yo. Hindi ibig sabihin na kapag nag-sorry kayo ay nakalamang na 'yung mga anak ninyo. Hindi. Dapat tayong mga magulang, kung alam nating mali mismo tayong mag-admit para 'yung bata kapag may kasalanan siya, hindi rin siya mahihiya o hindi siya maalangan na mag-sorry para sa'yo," Marian stressed.
Dingdong agreed, adding that in their relationship, they value trust.
"Mahalaga kasi 'yung pundasyon ng tiwala, eh. 'Yung mga bata, mini-mirror talaga nila 'yung mga magulang nila. Kung ano 'yung ginagawa ng mga magulang nila, ginagaya talaga," he said.
No iPad
Dingdong shared that in their household, they do not like liars, even those who make concessions for white lies.
He argued that it should not be observed because when it is allowed, saying lies, even white lies, becomes a habit.
Marian expounded by sharing another of their house rules: no iPads for the kids.
Dingdong and Marian admitted that it was difficult in the first two weeks to impose the rule.
"Sabi ng anak ko, 'I don't like to eat kapag walang iPad. Siyempre tinginan kaming dalawa. 'E 'di wag kang kumain. Eh 'di talaga siya kumain. So sabi ko, 'Dad hindi talaga siya kumakain.' [Sabi naman ni Dingdong], 'Hayaan mo siya. Magugutom din 'yan'," Marian recalled.
True enough, after some time, Zia relented and followed their rule.
The kids had been with no iPad for six months, said Dingdong.
Marian also found ways to distract her kids. She turned to arts and crafts, and let her kids engage in them.
"Nagka-craft kami talaga. Talagang sa awa ng Diyos, ngayon hindi na sila nag-hahanap ng iPad, ni cellphone wala," revealed Marian.
When asked if there was peer pressure, the couple said their daughter shared about her friends playing games with their phones.
As a solution, they said she can ask their staff about when they had their first cellphones.
"Ginawa ni Zia, nag-survey siya sa mga glam team. So lahat sila nag-explain na 18 na sila nu'ng nagka-cellphone," she said.
"So sabi ko sa kanya, O ano, there's no instant. So mas maganda din siguro hindi lahat nabibigay," Marian added.
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