HERE’S no formula to perfect parenting, but actress Melai Cantiveros-Francisco lives by one fundamental principle of parenthood: keeping her children happy by closely monitoring their physical development, recognizing its impact not only on health but also on their emotional well-being and intellectual development.
The TV host and mother of two was recently named as one of the endorsers of Nestokid Four, a growing-up milk brand produced by nutrition company Nestlé Philippines.
“The goal of people, no matter what they do in life, is to be happy and we figured that not too many brands focus on this. Being happy is also a very good representation of the Filipino family. This is just first of the many events where we will support health for happiness,” said Lead Consumer Marketing Manager for Nestokid Four Carlo Agbayani at the launch of the Nestokid Grow Happy campaign recently in Robinsons Place Manila.
“I learned from my experience with Amelia that proper nutrition should go hand-in-hand with a happy home talaga. I really think it makes all the difference, lalo na ngayon na nakikita ko kung gaano siya ka-confident sa school at kung gaano kadali sa kanya makipagkaibigan. Daig pa ako sa pagiging Miss Congeniality,” joked Cantiveros-Francisco.
Growing-up milk provides nutritional supplement to children’s dietary needs for growth and development, making it a critical part of children’s early years. Agbayani notes that Nestokid Four is formulated with L.
Comfortis, a probiotic that helps strengthen tummies to provide better digestion and help in absorption of nutrients. It also has protein, vitamin A, vitamin D, calcium, iron and DHA for overall growth and development.
Agbayani, however, acknowledged that milk is just one of the key components to raising a happy and healthy child, and therefore encourages parents to complement proper nutrition with providing their children a nurturing environment where they can play, imagine and bond with loved ones.
Cantiveros-Francisco agreed, saying, “Although meron tayong mga auntie na tumutulong sa atin, kailangan na involved pa din tayo sa pagpapalaki sa kanila. Bakit? Kasi kapag may relasyon tayo sa mga anak natin, may karapatan tayong mag-disiplina.”
She also stressed the importance of routine and tradition in their home as these establish normalcy, a way to get things done and a sense of security. “Once a week mayroon kaming bible sharing. Si Mela bago siya matulog nagda-dasal siya. Kapag hindi niya alam ’yung prayer sasabayan ko lang siya. Tuwing Sunday, pumupunta kami sa church ng buong pamilya. Mayroon pa kaming tradition na nine days before our birthdays, mayroon kaming pa-novena.”
Communication is also an important component of their parenting: “’Yung mga ‘Anak, say please’ at ‘Anak, say sorry,’ huwag ka talagang mapapagod.”
In April 2017 Cantiveros-Francisco admitted that she experienced postpartum depression after she gave birth to her second child, Stella. She shared that she’s been struggling with other aspects of being a mother, too. “Sa self-care mayroon akong struggle, lalo na at ’yung mga anak ko ay four years old at one-year-old. Minsan nga kapag pina-pakain ko sila, syempre iba ang pagkain ng four years old sa one-year-old, hala, ’day, napa-paghalo ko na.”
Cantiveros-Francisco also believes in the no-fighting-in-front-of-the-children rule, which experts believe raise the anxiety level in children because it threatens their secure home environment. “Hindi naman maiiwasan ang pag-aaway pero napag-usapan na talaga namin ni Jason noon pa na kapag maga-away kami, hindi dapat alam ng bata dahil respeto mo ‘yun sa mga anak mo. Sa pag-aasawa namin, natuto kami kung paano mag-pigil, mag-patawad at maging mature. One time nag-sagutan kami habang nanonood kami ng Peppa Pig, tapos pumasok si Mela at sinabi na, ‘Mama, why are you crying?’ Sinabi na lang ni Jason na dahil kay Peppa Pig,” she said.
The actress concluded: “Kami namang mag-asawa hindi kami perfect, pero pinipilit namin para sa mga anak namin.