Gemma Rosell: "I have five children and I would have liked to have more."

BarcelonaOver the years and with experience, managing my large family has become easier. Comparing my parenting style with that of other parents, I think I give less importance to things.

And why is it important to downplay things?

— Not giving too much importance to things, not being so close to your children, benefits them.

Has having five children taught you to be extraordinarily organized?

— I've always been like this. It's not a trait I acquired from being a mother, although I've been perfecting it. Sports teach you discipline. I've always fought to not become small in my own life and I've learned to optimize my time, to dedicate it to what's truly important. Women must fight to ensure that our personal space doesn't become too small. It happens to men too.

How do you decide to have five children?

— I got married and had three children. I decided to divorce when my youngest, twins, were one year old. I met my current husband, and although managing new families is very complicated, he adapted perfectly to the life of a father. We soon decided to have one child together, and years later, my second arrived, who is my fifth. I haven't had shared custody, and the three older children have always been with me. I didn't plan all of this, and I would have liked to have more, but now it's too late.

I suspect you want to have many children when you have many siblings.

— I believe in that theory too. My parents had five children, but it's increasingly rare to see large families these days. I love seeing the house full of life.

What have you wanted to do differently from your parents?

— Unfortunately, my childhood was marked by a broken family due to addictions, which affected several members. My older brother was a drug addict and died more than twenty years ago. Alcohol and gambling also affected other members, but we never talked about it. However, I'm grateful to my parents for everything they did, given the situation they were facing. What I wanted to do differently is talk about everything that happens to us. We talk about the negative things that arise instead of hiding them. It's necessary to try to understand them and, if possible, find a solution.

You say that parents are specialists in worrying. What's yours? top five?

— First, not having enough quality time with each of their children. Second, having some of their problems go unnoticed. Third, having someone hurt them or try to manipulate them and not knowing how to handle it. Fourth, their health, both physical and mental. And fifth, having them always feel loved.

And what five thoughts help you calm these worries?

— First, spend quality time with a different child every day. Second, talk with your children about their lives and concerns. Third, also talk about their environment. Fourth, read the signs that confirm their health and advise them on some good habits. And fifth, always send them signs of attention and love.

Tell me about a recent success.

— Not long ago, I thought one of my children was spending too much time on his cell phone, and instead of banning it or controlling it, I spent several days explaining how addictions work. I explained how viewing junk content damages our brains. But at no point did I want to accuse him of using his phone too much.

And how did he react?

— Naturally, after a few days he himself explained to me that he had set time limits on the device itself and that he was happy with the little time he had used it in the last few days.

Your oldest son works with you. Was it easy?

— Marco works with me and his second father in the family business we inherited. I think he'll want to continue it and will be the sixth generation of the business. One positive aspect is that we're together every day. One negative aspect is that he started very young and wasn't yet the hard worker he is now. We had to tell him to find another job, and it was very hard. But outside, he learned to work hard, to be responsible, and he came back to us with a new vision and lessons learned.