Hilaria Baldwin is the kind of mother who believes that structure helps children thrive. But she is the first to admit that she and her husband Alec Baldwin relax the rules during the coronavirus pandemic.
“I learned to let myself go a little bit,” Hilaria told TODAY Parents, with Alec next to her. “I was always very anti-any app or any electronic device. I was like ‘Just pencil and paper! Everything must be practical! “And in the end I have now realized that I have to go with the flow with their generation.”
So I downloaded a lot of apps. I have Osmo, which is great, ”she continued, explaining that if her kids do a certain amount of“ pencil and paperwork, ”they can play with an app or an iPad afterward. even left daughter Carmen, 6, FaceTime friends ‘like a teenager’.
Earlier this week, the couple, with their four children – Carmen, Rafael, 4, Leonardo, 3, and Romeo, aged 22 – sitting in their Hamptons home, told radio host Howard Stern that they are dealing with the terrifying aspects of COVID-19- virus for their children.
“We are not talking about the scary stuff, ”Hilaria, 36, explained. “They know there is a virus and it’s called corona … But my kids are very small. As long as mom and dad are okay and we’re not afraid of it, they’re okay.
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“Anyone with small children knows that when a parent panics, it is when the kids start to feel unsafe,” she added.
Although their little ones have been on spring break for the past two weeks, Hilaria has already started giving them homeschooling. But with Carmen in the first grade, Rafael in pre-K, Leo in pre-pre-K, and Romeo still on her hip, the process was challenging.
“Carmen is six, so I can give her a page of work and she will do it. But the other two need serious guidance and focus. It’s hard … We were doing ABCs recently and I turned around and saw that Leo had that his foot literally in his mouth, ”she said, laughing. “He literally chewed on his toes. And I thought, “This is going bad.” ”
The co-host of the podcast ‘Mom Brain’ added, ‘I’ve also tried to give some sort of homeschool. I have heard from so many parents and they are right, this is so difficult, “she said.
Still, the couple views quarantined family time as a learning process – one in which their children are sometimes the teachers.
“Alec and I said how much we miss our old lives … And the things we’d complain about before seem so stupid. After this I will never complain about X, Y and Z again because it is so small. “
“I’ll do that,” joked Alec, 61.
“At least you’re honest, honey,” Hilaria replied laughing. Anyway, we complained about it at the beginning. And Carmen looked at us and said, “I don’t hate this. I love this one. All I want to do is be with my mom and dad, and now I can be with you always. ”
It was one of those things like: Whoa. Wisdom of a six-year-old, “Hilaria recalled.” Alec and I just looked at each other, okay, we have to realize we’re so lucky. “
Hilaria has long described her Emmy-awarded husband as a great co-parent. Has Alec become even stronger while the family isolates?
“Do you know what he’s really great at? He is very good at cleaning the kitchen. I’m going to cook and he likes to clean the kitchen, ” said Hilaria.
Then she added to her husband, “Isn’t that right, honey? Best kitchen cleaner ever! ‘
