By Gissel Taveras
elinmobiliariodo@gmail.com
SANTO DOMINGO.-Alejandro José Fondeur Mera considers himself a privileged young man, he grew up in an environment full of love and unity that continues to grow, this time with the arrival of a princess to his heart: Vera Alejandra, just 2 months old.
At 32, he considers being a father to represent unconditional love and a legacy.
Alejandro cherishes warm childhood memories surrounded by grandparents, parents, uncles and cousins, always sharing in what he calls a royal family, which he wants to pass on to his daughter.
As the executive vice president of Mera Fondeur Corporate Group, Alejandro represents the third generation of a solid family with a 67-year history.
Despite the work, time and responsibilities that this entails, he explains to El Inmobiliario that he combines his role as a businessman with that of a father by balancing his time, always prioritizing his family.
However, he reveals that being a father in modern times presents a challenge.
“In the changing world we live in, with access to all kinds of information, we must take care of the education our children receive, always with values such as family unity,” he says.
In that sense, he indicates that he is inclined towards a values-based upbringing.
“Today’s youth are different, like all generations; they have had to develop in an environment that is too dependent on technology and they prioritize what they want,” he says.
Therefore, she recommends that new parents maintain a digital balance, "it is necessary to ensure that families use technology well to learn and train themselves, but ensuring quality time.".
She explains that values-based parenting is an approach to raising children that focuses on instilling ethical and moral principles that will guide their behavior and decisions throughout their lives.
Alejandro Fondeur with his wife and baby Vera Alejandra. (External source).
“Fundamental values such as honesty, responsibility, respect, empathy, and integrity should always be encouraged; they are essential for the comprehensive development of children,” she says.
She adds that it's important for parents to define and agree on the core values they want to instill in their children. This can include values such as compassion, hard work, respect for others, and gratitude.
Although her daughter is very young, she believes that behavior should be modeled from a young age.
“Children learn by observing their parents. It is crucial that parents live according to the values they wish to instill. For example, if respect is an important value, parents must demonstrate it in their daily interactions.”.
She also says that there should be open communication with children about values as well as other important topics.
“Open discussions about everyday situations and how values can be applied in different contexts help children understand and internalize these principles,” she notes.
In every parent's life, it is necessary to scold, but the parent must also be able to highlight the good behavior of their children.
“We must recognize and praise behavior that reflects family values. This can motivate children to continue acting in accordance with those principles.”.
Tender side
Alejandro balances his time between office work and business commitments, but when he gets home his life changes to show his tender side with his daughter.
To fully embrace his role as a father, he reveals that active teaching is very important, which is why he likes to use stories, games, and activities that emphasize the desired values.
“For example, reading books that highlight the importance of honesty or participating in community activities to teach compassion and generosity.”.
Another very essential point for Alejandro is to teach children to resolve conflicts in a way that reflects skills such as active listening, negotiation, and compromise.
For Alejandro, consistency is also an element that must be present in raising children.
“Be consistent in applying values. Children should see that values are important in all areas of life, not just in certain situations.”.
Understand that as children grow, it is helpful to reflect on how values are being applied and make adjustments as needed, since values-based parenting is an ongoing process that evolves over time.
He explains that it not only helps children develop a strong sense of identity and ethics, but also provides them with a solid foundation to face life's challenges and make responsible and ethical decisions.
