Elisse Joson, Janella Salvador open up on motherhood and mom guilt

Elisse Joson and Janella Salvador open up about mom guilt, juggling careers, and raising their kids while navigating life as hands-on parents.

Celebrity moms Elisse Joson and Janella Salvador have admirably managed to fulfill their real-life duties of being single moms and their profession as actresses.

“Being a parent is really hard,” admitted Elisse to radar Entertainment. “What I do, personally, is manage my priorities on a daily basis. For today, when we have work, that’s my priority. But it’s a bonus that my daughter Felize is with me now. Sometimes, I really do that. Pwede naman,” she explained.

“You have to learn to adapt continuously each day so you can balance your roles as a mom and as a professional. That’s what makes it fulfilling. You don’t have to sacrifice being a parent to pursue your work and your dreams.”

Janella echoes what Elisse said. “It’s not easy, given our [showbiz] work that requires a lot of our time. We can’t always bring our kids to work,” she maintained. “There’s a lot of mom guilt involved for me. A lot of times, I had to leave Jude in the house. I don’t get to be with him as often as I would like to.

“If I can bring him, he goes with me. When I do that, I spend one-on-one time with him. I make sure it’s quality time. I’m not just on the phone. I make sure he feels our bonding. I always try my best. It’s not easy.”

Being both a mom and a dad

Although dad Marcus Paterson is present in Jude’s life, Janella said the kid spends 90 percent of his time with her. “I think the challenge is in moments that require it, I have to be both a mom and a dad for him,” she said. “There were moments when I thought I would give up. But being strong is very important. I don’t want to pass on to Jude any trauma that I had growing up. Everything ends with me. That’s the challenge.”

Janella does get to make it up to her son. “It depends on my work because I don’t hold a nine-to-five schedule,” she began. “Every time I get the chance, I get a spare day, I spend time with Jude. Even when I shot ‘Under Parallel Skies’ in Hong Kong, I brought him with me. I try to bring him along when I can. But if I can’t, I make sure I make it up to him.”

Not surprisingly, the parents have a love language with their children. “Jude cannot sit still,” mom Janella disclosed. “He loves rough play, so as much as I can, I try to keep up with his energy. He also loves watching movies. We watch movies together.”

Elisse, for her part, gives Felize quality time and words of affirmation. “Those are my love languages,” Elisse insisted. “When I can’t find the right words to express how I feel, I just spend more time with her, with lots of cuddles, lots of hugs.

“I make sure she still feels my presence and my love for her even when I’m away. I always let her know that I love her through my words even when we’re just doing video calls.”

‘Bibo Lilits Galing Challenges 2.0’

Elisse and Janella, and their children are part of the second season of Lactum’s “Bibo Lilits Galing Challenges 2.0,” with dad influencer Vlad Magallanes, known for his “Daddy Diaries,” and daughter Acacia.

Vlad, who is a content creator, said producing materials also requires time and effort. “But my wife [Ciara] and I see to it that we balance our time with our [two] daughters [Olivia and Acacia]. At night, I make it a point that I tell them stories before they go to sleep.

“Quality time is my love language for my daughters. As a dad, you have to show them strength and resilience—that you don’t easily get tired. Having a strong support system when you get home also helps ease the stress.”

With this season’s campaign, carrying the theme “Bibo Today, Ready Tomorrow,” Lactum presents the kids with challenges that will prepare them for the future. Lactum’s “Bibo Lilits Galing Challenge 2.0″ will start streaming today, April 14 on ABS-CBN Entertainment’s YouTube Channel.

 

 

It depends on my work because I don’t hold a nine-to-five schedule,” she began. “Every time I get the chance, I get a spare day, I spend time with Jude.

Janella Salvador

 

 

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