John Prats as a Dad: Walang Rules, Just Fun When He's Home

John Prats’ boyish looks and cheerful disposition will clue you in on his personality — one who’s likely very easy to be around. It’s a gift he’s been blessed with ever since he was a young performer, and to this day it is a trait he still possesses. Now, as a husband to fellow actor Isabel Oli, or Liv, and a dad to daughter Feather, 3 years old, and son Freedom, 9 months old, he has not lost this sense of wonder. It’s a gift which, we’d like to believe, helps him be a cool father to his kids.

“I work every day, so when I’m home, ‘yung time ko with them, ayokong magalit. I just cherish every moment,” John told SmartParenting.com.ph when we caught up with him at the recent Johnson & Johnson #ChooseGentle event at the Blue Leaf Events Pavilion in Taguig. 

He discloses that between the two of them, it is his wife Isabel who takes on the role of a disciplinarian, especially when it comes to their firstborn Feather. “Ako kasi ‘yung tipong walang rules e, I just want them to have fun. Si Liv, dini-discipline siya pero alam na kasi ni Feather [na] when I’m home, kakampi niya ako.”

With different styles of parenting, don’t the two of them get into arguments, then? The dad of two admits they do, but, “Syempre minsan, si Feather, pag may mali siyang ginawa I talk to her. 

“Pag sobra na, kakampi ko si Liv. At dun nare-realize [ni Feather] na, ‘Ay, dalawa na nagsabi sa akin, so I think dapat sumunod na ako.’”

A universal problem among parents in this digital age is finding a balance between technology and the real world when it comes to raising kids. How do they do it in their home? John says their secret is in regulating use, rather than totally banning gadgets in their home.  

“Si Feather, hindi naman namin siya pinagbabawalan, may time lang [kung kailan siya pwedeng gumamit]. Kaya ngayon happy kami na kapag sinabi naming stop, hindi na siya umiiyak. Naiintindihan niya, time is up,” John explains. He says because Feather knows the limit, there are no fights or tantrums when it’s time to put away the gadget—even just a gentle reminder works.

He says he and Isabel make it a point to nurture other areas of development for their daughter. “I want her also to socialize. I want her to play with her toys para mabuo ‘yung imagination niya. Ako, nung bata ako puro toys e, so I get to imagine things kaya feeling ko ngayon, nagagamit ko siya,” he adds.

How are they able to implement this style of parenting, knowing that they are both also busy with their careers? John says, having a vision for the family helps a lot. “Buntis pa lang si Liv kay Feather alam na namin ano’ng gusto naming gawin, so along the way nag-a-adjust na lang kami,” he concludes. Indeed, being intentional and planning for the future when you're a parent is half the battle won.