Dingdong Dantes talked about being a father
Kapuso Primetime King Dingdong Dantes admitted that it is still a challenge for him to fulfil his fatherly duties.
Dingdong and his wife, Kapuso Primetime Queen Marian Rivera, are blessed with two children, Zia and Sixto.
While doing their duties as parents, they are also doing showbiz projects, especially Dingdong, since Marian decided to take a break after giving birth to their son.
In a recent interview, based on the article in The Philippine Star, Dingdong Dantes admitted that being a father is still a challenge for him.
“I’m often out of the house due to work while my wife is the one who spends more time with the kids day to day,” the actor said.
However, Dingdong and Marian maintained their teamwork. They would consult each other regarding the rules and values that they should implement.
“I think the goal is always to strike that balance between being a disciplinarian and still keeping that fun element where your children feel comfortable enough to play with you, laugh with you, and be themselves around you. Whenever they see you, you want their first feeling to be of joy and not fear,” Dingdong explained.
He said that more than being a disciplinarian, he believes that everything should be anchored on respect. For him, it is important to have an environment where there is no fear.
The actor pointed out that sometimes, when kids are raised purely through fear, their expressions are limited, and for him, this is important for their development. On the other hand, Dingdong said that he also wants to be his children’s buddy, but definitely with boundaries.
“Because at the end of the day, part of being a father is still guiding them and helping prepare them for the real world,” he said.
This fresh take on modern parenting did not occur to him overnight. He credited his way of thinking to an openness to what life brings.
“I used to think that when my second child reached the age my first child had already gone through, I would automatically know exactly what to do. There are hints, of course, and some lessons you carry over, but each child is truly unique,” Dingdong Dantes said.