Janella Salvador sat down with Smart Parenting for an episode of Usap Tayo, where she answered interesting questions about raising her son, Jude Trevor, as a young mom.
The actress-singer just turned 26 last March 30, but she already has learned a lot from the three years she's been on her motherhood journey.
View this post on Instagram
With an upcoming 10th anniversary concert entitled Janella: Reimagined, she admits that she's been preoccupied with work and is seldom home to spend time with her son. However, her purpose remains clear: she's working hard to keep seeing her son happy and healthy, and to secure a good future for her family.
Janella Salvador on raising Jude
Janella parted ways with her son's father, Markus Paterson, in 2022, but they have maintained a healthy co-parenting relationship.
When asked how she wants to raise her son, she's firm that she wants him to grow up fighting for his rights and asserting his boundaries.
"I think this is not a common answer," Janella told Smart Parenting, "Syempre, I want the other values to be instilled as well, but I think this is really important lalo na a lot of us, I feel like a lot of us in this generation were raised to be people pleasers, to keep saying yes to things. When in fact, we all have our own preferences and boundaries."
"I think one of the most important things na gusto kong ma-instill kay Jude is fighting for his right and asserting boundaries." —Janella Salvador
She continued, "I believe na as long as we're working hard, we're passionate, as long as we have a good heart, and as long as our intentions are good, there's nothing wrong with asserting your boundaries and telling people if you're uncomfortable with something."
Janella gave birth to her son in the UK where Markus was raised, but explained that she wants Jude to grow up here in the Philippines and be immersed in the culture.
"It's just that benefits-wise, there are some countries that have better benefits as citizens, which is why I chose to give birth in the UK. Para yung benefits na meron yung dad niya ay meron din siya. So, probably, I'm gonna keep him going back and forth as much as possible," she said.
Janella Salvador's parenting approach
As a Gen Z parent, Janella is one to try different parenting approaches, and find the right mix that suits her and her son.
"I try to be a gentle parent, but of course, I try to balance it din because I don't want to be too gentle," she said.
She explained, "I think kids need to be told off sometimes, but when I tell him off about something that he did, I don't scream at him. I usually really explain to him what he did wrong."
"Tayo as adults, I feel like nagkakamali pa rin naman tayo minsan. Pero yung mga bata, sisigawan mo. I don't think it's right." —Janella Salvador
Janella would go down to her son's level, and try to understand his feelings, as toddlers are still learning how to navigate their feelings and emotions. "So, you can't really impose adult things on them," she emphasized.
View this post on Instagram
She further explained why she doesn't like to scream at her son, "Tayo as adults, I feel like nagkakamali pa rin naman tayo minsan. Like, for example, we spill the water on the table. We drop our glasses. Marami tayong nasisirang gamit. Sabog tayo, 'Ay, sorry,' okay na. Pero yung mga bata, sisigawan mo. I don't think it's right. So, I think you just really have to explain and really, yung patience mo, papahabain mo talaga."
What Janella Salvador hopes Jude would learn more of
Like some babies born during the pandemic, Jude is still learning about the concept of sharing with other kids. Janella says she wants to expose him more to kids his age so that he can learn how to socialize.
Janella Salvador on son Jude entering showbiz: "Okay lang. Hindi ko siya pipigilan as long as it's what he really wants."
Janella entered showbiz at the tender age of 12 years old and made her debut as an actress in the hit teleserye, Be Careful With My Heart. When asked whether she would let Jude enter the same industry, Janella said, "Okay lang. Hindi ko siya pipigilan as long as it's what he really wants."
She added, "Pero i-explain ko din sa kanya, siyempre, 'yung consequences, kung ano yung mga sacrifices that he's going to have to make. It's not something that I would throw him into nang hindi niya alam yung pinapasok niya."
Nevertheless, she will support him as long as he wants to learn and grow in his craft.
Watch the full Usap Tayo episode with Janella Salvador here:
Get your tickets to Janella: Reimagined happening on April 19 at the New Frontier Theater at Ticketnet here.
More from sp
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod
