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Entrepreneur and influencer-mom Divine Lee gets real about parenting in the midst of a pandemic during Philips Avent's virtual discussion titled “#UpForTheChallenge: Conversations on motherhood in the new normal.”

Divine Lee with host Patty Laurel Filart, Doctor Joseph Regalado, and Business Development Manager of Philips Maite Uy, / Source: Philips Avent

When asked about what Divine learned about motherhood that she'd like to impart to first-time moms, she emphasized the importance of not beating yourself up for not being perfect.

“Sus ko! Relax lang kayo. You know, dati I wrote down stuff pa, everything. I was so finicky. Kasi it's something new, 'di ba? Kinakabahan ka (na at) lahat.

“But you know what? Moms just really wing it and you have to forgive yourself. May times na you will overfeed the child. (laughs) And it happens.

“May times na makakatulog ka na hindi mo sila napapalitan ng diapers. And it happens. Alam mo 'yon?

“'Yan yung mga guilt trip ko noon na nangyari sa'kin.

“It doesn't make you less of a mother.”

The mom of two knows too well the guilt that mothers feel whenever they fail to do things by the book or commit honest mistakes sometimes.

“Dati talaga I really used to kick myself over small mistakes ko. Like halimbawa, parang nag-lotion ako tapos 'Ay! Bawal pala ko mag-lotion. Bawal ako magpabango kasi newborn. 'Di ba 'yung mga ganyan? (Maliligo) ako ulit.

“Pagdating sa second kid ko, 'pag nagpabango ako, 'Okay. Palit na lang ako ng T-shirt. 'Di na lang ako maliligo. Okay na 'to. Kaya naman e 'di ba?

“One time na kumain ako ng shrimps na dapat hindi kasi I was breastfeeding, alam mo 'yon? Nagka-allergy si Baz. Doesn't make me less of a mother.

“So, relax on yourself. Give yourself a break. Forgive yourself because you are not perfect.”

Divine also prides herself as a unicorn mom and encourages other mothers to prioritize their happiness and that of their child over pressures from society.

“I'm a unicorn mom. Ang number one sa akin is masaya 'yung anak ko, masaya ako.

“If you're happy, they're happy, then that's your best.

“'Yung love nila sa inyo, hindi 'yan name-measure kung ilang beses mo ba sila napa-burp sa gabi.”

She also believes that parents shouldn't be putting too much pressure on their kids when it comes to learning things.

“I have a son, who's two. He's not supposed to be in school yet, but you know naman we get pressured by social media na kailangan alam na niya lahat ng hexagon, octagon, 'di ba?

“So, I teach him just so he doesn't get far behind, but no pressure talaga. (Para) sa'kin, e ano ngayon kung 'di niya alam 'yung decagon? 'Di ko nga nagagamit ata yung 'decagon,' 'di ba?

“Malalaman din niya 'yan. I'm not rushing him. Basta I know that he's enjoying pa our school. Alam mo 'yun?

“So, I think the best thing that you can do for your child is dapat happy sila and happy ka rin. So, dalawa 'yung aalagaan mo.

“'Yun 'yung number one sa 'kin more than 'yung mga pressure na 'Naku, kailangan memorize niya lahat ng 48 colors sa crayon.' Naku, lima lang ata alam ng anak ko. He's two! C'mmon! I think I started to do that (when I was) five.

Divine also says that because she started a family a bit late, she cherishes every moment of it.

“You have to enjoy being a parent. Because I guess I got married late. I had kids late. So, 'yung pressure sa 'kin is more really talagang enjoying parenthood, enjoying being a mom.”

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