Solenn Heussaff on embracing her 40s: Family comes first now

It was Solenn Heussaff’s first time guesting on “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda,” where she talked about how she embraces her 40s and her beautiful relationships with the people she loves most. She is slowly making her comeback in the industry by portraying Cassiopea in “Encantadia Chronicles: Sang’gre” and the movie “UnMarry,” where she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress last year.

She reflected on her midlife and how her view changed compared to when she was younger. “Dati, when I saw my parents as midlife, tingin ko dinosaurs na sila. But now that I’m 40, I feel like I’m just starting. It’s so much fun because I get to do the things I want to do. I also have my savings and my family. I’m discovering many new things.”

As part of the “It Girls,” the public sees them having glamorous lives. They are fashionistas. Solenn pointed out that she is not extravagant and finds real joy in simple things. “Di naman ako gastusera. I only spend when I travel, which is twice a year. Wala akong indulgence. As in zero. Sa home, gusto ko sofa, pillows. Iyon ang gusto ko, pero, siyempre, I can’t change that every week.”

Their family now resides peacefully in the South, which she calls probinsiya, away from the frenzied urban life. She sleeps at 7 p.m. and wakes up at 4 a.m. Solenn enjoys playing in the park with her two daughters, Thylane and Maëlys.

“When you’re growing up, when you’re in your 20s or 30s, you’re always trying to reach a certain goal. Always wanna do certain things that you forget about the simple things in life that make you happy,” said she.

Motherhood becomes her. Solenn and fellow “It Girls” are now proud moms: Anne Curtis, Isabelle Daza, Georgina Wilson, Liz Uy and Bea Soriano Dee. They have entered this exciting phase in their lives simultaneously. Their beautiful friendship withstands the test of time, and they always have each other to rely on when problems arise.

Her husband, Nico Bolzico, is stricter with their kids. Solenn no longer uses gentle parenting in raising their children.

“They got their own way kasi they manipulated us completely. If they don’t respect you as a parent, then they will step all over you. This is their forming years, so you really need to set the discipline,” Solenn explained. The kids are asked to go to their room, close the door and not come down if they don’t behave well.

“I don’t say you’re very good kasi I think that’s also not a good way to bring up a child. I think you need to praise the effort, not praise the result.”

Solenn revealed that they don’t allow Tili and Maëly to use gadgets. She feels frustrated and sad as a mother when she sees families no longer talking, even if they are together, because they are more focused on their own gadgets.

It’s fun watching Solenn and Nico in their comic skits on social media. She is “wifezilla” and Nico calls himself the “bullied husband.” He comes up with the concepts for the gag, taking inspiration from his wife’s quirks and strict personality.

“You cannot exercise with the bath towels, dapat may workout towel ka. If you go to my house, as in you can lick the floor sa linis. It always looks like it’s gonna be shot for a magazine kasi iyon ang gusto ko. Paggising ko sa umaga, lahat malinis.”

The couple is so much in love with each other, but who gets jealous more often? Solenn replied, “Parang wala kasi we communicate a lot.”

Flirting was never an issue when they were not yet married.

“When we were dating, wala. Hindi masyado coz we know who we are, we know what we want, and we know na hindi kami papatol.”