TOGETHER AS ONE: Jade and her dad

It’s not every day that you can easily sit down a teenager to have a no holds bar talk about their dad and what the father figure means in their life. One such person is 14-year -old Jade Stella Angelique Blasco, a Clifton College pupil in Francistown and first princess of the Miss Youth Expo

In a few words describe your dad?
His amazing, an inspiration, adventurous and a great role model for my brothers and me. He is also practical. What I love best about him is his sense of adventure. Because of him I know what I want to be in life.

What lessons about life and skills have you so far learnt from him?
Twice as a family we have gone sailing for two whole years from France to the Caribbean islands. Through this experience dad taught me a lot about culture, how to sail (he has over 39 years of experiences of sailing) and how to survive on a boat. He is also taught me a lot about art – dad loves painting.  Art has helped us to know how to express ourselves both artistically and verbally. Most important my father has drummed it into us not to be just polite but respectful.

Is your dad a disciplinarian?
Uuum, he is strict when he needs to be, but plays more of a guiding role. He advises on the right routes to take in life, and to stay away from drugs and substance abuse. Emotionally he has always been there for me.   I pick fights or quarrel with him at times, but he is never angry for the entire day! These quarrels actually mean we love each other (giggles).

Do you talk about boys with him?
Even though I have not yet had my first boyfriend or my first kiss, I’m comfortable talking about boys and school with him.  He knows that I am not yet ready to see boys and should stay away from a relationship until I am at least 16, preferably18 years (laughs).  As for sex, he has said should I be dumb enough to sleep with a boy at a young age at least I should use protection. And should I decide on having children I should be financially grounded, so I can provide for them.

What else would you want to share about your dad?
He has been very influential in us being such a close-knit family.   Also when I see how happy my parents are together, I hope to get my share of that happiness too. I will definitely get married some day  (glances at her dad).

Are you celebrating Father’s Day this Sunday?
Definitely, we will make a lot of brownies for him and treat him to a family lunch, especially prepared by my brother and me. We also have a few presents. I will be extra good and not argue with my brothers. On Father’s Day we plan to spoil him through and through.

DEAR DAUGHTER
Jade’s dad -Pierre-Yves Blasco, 54, responds

Is your daughter dad’s princess?
After having two boys one after the other, I definitely wanted a daughter, but that has not made me treat her any better than the boys. Having said that I am much tougher on the boys, while her mom is harder on Jade. Yes there are times when she turns to and tries to soften me up and seeks sympathy.

What kind of a woman do want her to be?
Independent, respectful and successful – not rich materially or in monetary terms, that’s not important. I want her to have good job that she likes. Have children of her own, and hopefully a good and loving husband (he smiles).

Sometimes your daughter helps out in your cafe.  What   lessons are you passing on to her? 
(Nodding)  I want her to have a taste of what it means to work, the value of money and the things associated with it. You see I don’t always give, so she has to earn it. I don’t believe in the culture of ‘I want, I get” – I don’t like that attitude, it’s just too easy!  As a parent when you always give, the child does not value or appreciate whatever it is you give them.

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