Jennifer Zamparelli has opened up about raising her kids in modern day society where bullying is often prominent.
The Breakfast Republic host spoke about what type of values she wants to instil in her children.
“I just want Florence to be kind. I want her to stick up for her friends and people in school that might be having a hard time. And for Enzo, I want him to not be afraid to show his feelings. I think boys have this idea of what masculinity is supposed to be, and the whole ‘be strong and don’t cry’ shit that is said to them from a young age, and that’s damaging,” she told VIP Magazine in the September issue.
“I want to teach Enzo that he’s the strongest boy if he shows emotions. That he’s a real man if he cries. They’re still small, so I have time, but I have thought about this stuff, and I have already started telling Florence to be kind – she’s started Montessori and I’ve asked her to play with everyone and stand up for kids if they’re being bullied. Bullying f****** terrifies me.”
Jennifer has two children with her husband Lau, 9-month-old Enza and three-year-old Florence, and although they are young, the presenter said she’s concerned about bullying.
“You hear about it so much, from friends’ kids and so on, and it’s so upsetting. It’s rife in schools and so damaging, and I don’t think we’re doing enough. I think parents need to really keep on top of that with their children because kids might not be very good at talking about it all,” she said.
The star also said that she thinks bullying needs to be dealt with head-on, and get the kids together in a room.
She added: “I think there should be someone coming into schools once a week, too, to give talks. More definitely needs to be done.”
Jennifer also added that it’s more it concerns her now more than ever because it can continue online unbeknownst to the parents.
“Before, you might get bullied in school but you could go home and that’d be it, but with the internet, it never stops. That terrifies me. I mean, I’m already thinking of all that and I have a three and a half-year-old and a toddler!”
You can read all about Jennifer’s busy life as a mum, radio host and TV star in the new issue of VIP Magazine, on shelves now.
