Would you raise your kids differently if you had another chance?

As parents, we give and do our best to raise our children tobecome happy, responsible and good Christians. I try to be a role model and teach my three wonderful children not only through talk, but more through my actions how I hope they can be in their own lives.

Mandaluyong Rep. Boyet Gonzales

I have an only child, Kristine — we call her Nani, from my previous marriage (my first wife passed away from kidney failure). I believe that I have showered her with enough love and care when she was growing up that Nani grew up to be one happy and strong lady that I’m really proud of.  She has become a very good mother herself, which I am really very happy about. Currently, I’m raising nine-year-old twins with my wife Queenie. I realize that the twins are in their impressionable age, so whatever nuggets of wisdom or little regrets I may have had or realized over the years, on this issue of parenting, I now make sure that I tell my wife; we now have the chance to fine-tune the upbringing of our young children.

Fe Rodriguez, entrepreneur

Since I got married and had children at a very young age, yes, I think I would have raised them differently but not in a major way.  We just always think we could have done better.  Since my children turned out to be good, I suppose sometimes it works out for the better when children are left to fend for themselves. It makes them stronger.

Zsazsa Padilla, actress/singer

No, but If I were given the chance, I would like to have spent more time with my first daughter, Karylle. I was only 16 years old when I had her and was busy with my studies and career. I would take more time helping her out with homework and school projects.

Vice Governor Dingdong Avanzado, Siquijor

Overall there is nothing I would change in the way I raised Jayda. She has made me a proud dad and our bond is very strong. If anything, I just wished nasundan namin siya kaagad.

Chot Reyes, head coach, Philippine National Basketball team

No, I wouldn’t raise them any differently. We’re not perfect, but it is these imperfections that we absolutely love in each other.

Baby O’Brien,TV personality

Of course, hindsight is 20/20 and if I knew then what I know now, there definitely will be a few things I would change or tweak a bit. Each child is different and after the first one, you figure you know the drill, then the next child will surprise you all over again.

Manny Lopez, businessman and sports administrator

Without a tinge of doubt, I am content and blessed at the present state of my three beautiful and lovely daughters. My wife and I adhere to an old rabbinical saying, “Don’t limit a child to your own learning, for he was born in another time.”

La Union Governor Manuel Ortega

No, I would not have raised my children differently! They all turned out to be kind, loving, God-fearing and what they were meant to be. Of course, I couldn’t have done this alone.  Major credit goes to my wife Denny, who made sure we were always fair and equal to all of them.

Veronica Baluyut-Jimenez, broadcast journalist

Each child has a personality of his or her own and parents must adjust to this in order to get through to the child. Although my husband is the strict disciplinarian, I have opted to be the person they can run to in times of distress. The following quote from Bill Ayers has guided me in the difficult task of raising our children: “Your kids require you most of all to love them for who they are, not to spend your whole time trying to correct them.”

Liezel Martinez, actress/member, MTRCB

I had my children at a very young age and, maybe if presented with a different situation, I would do some things differently, like be a stay-at-home mom. But I would still raise them the same way. My kids are now all grown up.They work hard, are good and respectful people and love God. I really couldn’t ask for more.

Larry Henares, educator/columnist/writer

If I were to do it again, I will not change the way I raised my children. I did the best I could and all of them turned out to be the best they can be in the end.

Rep. Evie Escudero, 1st district of Sorsogon

I think my method of training my children will be basically the same with more emphasis on their spiritual foundation.