The Parenting Panel with Lillian LaSalle
My Name Is Pedro is an essential and timely reminder of the importance of great educators that exist within the infrastructure of our country's public education system. This award winning film, from first time director Lillian LaSalle, explores the seemingly impossible journey of South Bronx Latino educator and maverick, Pedro Santana, a former "special ed" student, whose mantra is - every kid can learn despite their circumstances.
A New York Times profile of his "Out Of The Box" teaching techniques, thrusts him into the spotlight, which creates great opportunities for change but also has its downside - public school politics which, despite the cries of students and parents alike, threaten to take him down. A documentary with unpredictable twists and turns, LaSalle harnesses a compelling message of optimism, hope and tragedy.
My Name Is Pedro starts streaming today, February 23rd via Amazon and Apple TV.
1. How many children do you have? And what are their ages?
I have two kids, Lucy (14) and Leo (11) .
2. Did you have fears or concerns about how becoming a parent would interfere with your artistic endeavors?
I had no concerns whatsoever, but that’s because no other parent ever comes up to you when your pregnant and says, “Prepare for your life to change forever. It’s not easy! Bye!”
3. Have those fears come true, or no?
Aside from being creative, I own my own business. I have no idea how I did it, but when my first was born, after 36 hours of labor, I somehow got her on the subway when she was one week old, got back to work with a playpen and babysitter in my office. I breastfed her while I was on the phone. (Admittedly, I once dropped the phone on her head.). But to get back to the question, I had no concerns and nothing came true or didn’t come true. I was in survival mode and somehow, I made it all work. There is no question that there was less time for me to be creative, but I didn’t notice. I was taken with her and nothing else mattered, except, apparently, my work.
4. What has parenthood taught you about yourself, your music, or your creative process?
Parenthood has taught me a lot about patience and waiting. I was never a waiting kind of person. I am results oriented. With children, you realize you have zero control. Especially as they get older. And you have to gain a radical kind of acceptance about this. Doing this taught me to move slowly while creating and letting time and space make appearances. I write more slowly. I walk more slowly. My creativity has grown significantly.
5. How do you juggle your family and your career? Who’s your support system?
I am incredibly lucky. I have a very supportive husband who is a luthier and works from home. He takes care of everything kid and house related when I am not available. I feel lucky that we don’t have to add a nanny to the equation. Not that there’s anything wrong with it! It’s just not for us.
6. What’s one thing you wish someone had told you before you became a parent? Any advice for others?
Don’t yell. You’ll only teach your kids to yell. And then welcome to “Yell -House” . Everyone says it all the time, right? “Oh It goes by so fast!” You don’t really hear it, or believe it, or relate to it. So you politely smile and nod. Heed those words. Write it in large letters on your wall if you have to. It’s as true as what they say about death and taxes.
7. How have you been managing parenting during the pandemic? What has been the hardest part and what is the silver lining?
I have never spent so much time with my kids and husband during the entire time I have been a parent. I am surprised by how natural the switch was. In truth, I am older now and have been working long days and nights for years. I think the change was welcomed. The challenge is that children need to be doing things. Not in a tiger-mom kind of way, but in terms of getting out more, breathing the air, taking part in an activity. That’s been very hard on us. The biggest ever challenge however, is the amount of time we allow for screen time. We are strong believers in strict screen time. We even have a lockbox! And we haven’t been very good about it lately. I rue the day we ever gave our kids electronic devices. I think it’s one of the worst things that could have happened to their generation. Then again, once in a while, I hear Lucy during her Zoom singing lesson or Leo writing songs on his Ukulele and realize, OK, maybe it’s not that bad.
For more information on My Name is Pedro Follow:
Instagram: @mynameispedrodoc
Twitter: @pedrosantanadoc