Eva Mendes is fully committed to her role as a mother, but one particular parenting rule she follows might surprise some in today’s society.
Ryan Gosling, often seen as one of Hollywood’s heartthrobs, has been in a committed relationship for years.
He began dating Eva Mendes, who has since retired from acting, in 2011. The couple is married and has two daughters together.
This information might be new to some, as the couple is known for being notably private about their personal life.
Recently, Mendes offered a glimpse into her parenting style and her relationship with Gosling during an interview.
In a conversation with The Times, she shared a specific rule she and Gosling have set for their daughters, Esmeralda, 10, and Amanda, eight.
Even those accustomed to strict parenting might find the rule a bit surprising.
Mendes revealed that her daughters, who are homeschooled, are not permitted to use smartphones or access social media at home.
She elaborated: “Putting my kid on the internet and being like, ‘Oh, search something’, that to me is equivalent to telling her, ‘Oh, just go down the street in the middle of the night. You’ll be fine’.”
“I know that sounds extreme, but that’s what I feel.”
While this might seem an oversimplification to some, avoiding the darker sides of the internet while looking up simple facts is possible, such as searching for the capital of Iceland (Reykjavik, by the way). However, every parent has their own approach.
Given the toxic nature of social media, filled with harsh opinions and the occasional cute video, limiting a child’s exposure is likely beneficial.
During the interview, Mendes also addressed the challenges of parenting, saying: “I still have all this anxiety, and I see myself passing it on to my children.”
“Subconsciously I can’t imagine what they’re inheriting from me that I don’t want them to inherit from me.”
She mentioned taking active steps to prevent transferring her anxiety to them.
Mendes ensures she never discusses negative thoughts about her body, weight, or aging in their presence and requests her sisters do the same when visiting.
However, she acknowledged that maintaining this control will become more challenging as her children grow older.