Smart Parenting October Issue - Patrick Garcia and his family

On the cover of this month’s issue is former child actor Patrick Garcia with his beautiful partner Nikka Martinez and adorable daughter Chelsea. Inexperienced, overwhelmed, sleepless, and often terrified – and they’re doing things in fast forward – Patrick and Nikka wouldn’t have it any other way.

The couple shares in this issue of Smart Parenting how their one-year-old relationship was just maturing when their baby came into the picture. “Before Chelsea came into our lives, medyo magulo, parang bata lang kami, away ng away, or lakwatsa lang,” says Patrick. “[But] Chelsea gave us focus, nagka-direksyon kami.”

Between the two, the couple agrees that it is Nikka who has had to adjust more to their new lives. Apart from giving up her full-time job to be a stay-at-home mom, she also takes care of Chelsea without the help of a neither yaya nor stay-in in-laws. Patrick, whose taping schedule for the afternoon soap opera Anna Liza takes him away most days of the week, assists in any way he can. “I’m thankful because no matter how tired he is, even if he comes from a 24-hour taping, he really does his part. He’ll cuddle her, put her to sleep—that’s my cue to go to the banyo na! That’s my me-time,” shares Nikka.

While the couple is getting ready for their future together, one may ask how Patrick fulfills his fatherly responsibilities to Alex Jazz, his four-year-old son with his ex-girlfriend actress Jennylyn Mercado. For one, Patrick and Nikka have a room being furnished for Alex Jazz, whom they hope Chelsea will get to meet soon. “Sayang oras, eh, these are his formative years, and we want to be a part of it,” Patrick tells Smart Parenting.

The October issue of Smart Parenting is now available in newsstands, bookstores, and supermarkets for only P125. It comes with the Nat Geo Little Kids featuring the Baby Black Bear on its cover.

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