Isabelle Daza Gives Mom-To-Be Iza Calzado Parenting Advice Every Mom Needs To Hear

Parenting doesn't come with a manual, kung mayroon lang 'di ba? But sans a parenting 101 handbook, we turn to other parents and their experiences to guide other soon-to-be moms and dads. Isabelle Daza was precisely that to new mom Iza Calzado.

Last Saturday, October 8, 2022, Smart Parenting got an exclusive interview with Iza and Belle during the media junket of Viu's latest original series, "K-Love" (streaming on the platform beginning October 14, 2022).

"K-Love" is, as its creator Corinna Vistan described it, a love letter to K-Drama fans (which includes you, our dearest mom readers!). Banking on the Hallyu phenomenon, this Viu original transfers the spotlight to fangirl culture while also offering its own romance and friendship storyline between its five main characters Tish (played by Iza), Jay (played by Jake Cuenca), Shiela (played by Belle), Val (played by Sue Ramirez), and Frances (Gabby Padilla).

During our sit-down interview, we asked Belle, a mom of two, what is the best parenting advice she could give to preggy momma Iza.

READ: Iza Calzado Reveals Unexpected Pregnancy On Her 40th Birthday!

Belle said with conviction: "Don't listen to anyone else because you will know your child the most."

The celebrity mom who has been vocal about her learnings about parenting her sons, Baltie and Valentin, adds the reality is that "moms can be very critical and judgy of other moms. It's just innate. But you, only you, know your relationship with your child. So, I think that's really precious."

Most of the time, parenting isn't a one size fits all. While well-meaning, imposing beliefs and how one should or should not parent their kids can end up more harmful than helpful.

Coincidentally, Iza had also received the same advice Belle gave when she took a break in Switzerland recently. Recounting the moment, the first-time mom shared, "I got that very beautiful, powerful message when I was in Switzerland. I met a half-Swiss, half-Chinese lady, and she said that to me. She had no clue who I was. And she said it, 'Don't listen to anyone,' sabi niya.

"And it was so powerful and [she said]. 'you have a connection with your child. You will know if something is wrong if anything is happening.'" Reflecting on the advice, Iza has realized what a mother's instinct really is. "'Pag nandiyan na nga naman 'yung anak mo, people will always tell you what to do, what not to do and at the end of the day again papasok siguro 'yung instinct mo and you will know," she said.

Iza Calzado On Criticisms About Her Pregnancy Workout Routine

She's still in her second trimester, but Iza has already put the advice she received into practice. "Ngayon pa nga lang nagsisimula na eh I posted a workout video (read more here) and people had so many mixed reactions." Iza was referring to her workout videos with international fitness trainer Culver Padilla.

 

 

In his post, Padilla said, "During pregnancy, exercise can help you stay in shape and prepare for labor and delivery. "For most pregnant women, at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise is recommended on most, if not all, days of the week."

Addressing some of the comments, which fall heavily on the judgy meter, Iza made one thing clear, she's not going to put her pregnancy at risk. Iza said, "You know hindi ko papabayaan 'yung anak ko, you think I'm going to go to the gym and isasaalang-alang ko 'yung buhay ng anak ko para sa workout? Hindi!

"If I feel tired, if I feel like it's too heavy, I say it."

Pregnancy exercise has many benefits, of course, if done with caution and with your doctor's permission.

READ: Puwede At Hindi Puwedeng Exercise Para Sa Buntis, Ayon Sa Ob-Gyn

At the end of the day, parents, like every other human out there, are bound to make mistakes, but these are just learning curves you have to face to make you a better mom or dad to your child. It's nice that Iza has already had a headstart on this learning before meeting her little one.

Iza Calzado is happy to be sharing her pregnancy journey with her sister-in-law Bianca King. Read here.