The Parents
Rich and Jessica

The Children
Dante and Gia

Q: What was it like being filmed 24/7, knowing that your words and actions were being monitored?

A: The part that felt extremely awkward for the first couple of days was being filmed whenever we went back to the room to either wash, change or turn in for the night.  Those robot video cameras were on us every time we moved!  It took a while to ignore.  Other than that, I knew what the show was about before I got there, so the rest did not bother me too much. 

Q: Did you need to overcome any cultural differences when working with Dr. Tanya and the British production crew?

A: There were definitely differences, but they were mostly related to the type of humor exchanged.  I am not sure that the Brits found us to be as funny as we thought we were!  I guess you can say that being from Italian and South American descent Rich and I are "big food lovers".   The produce, and some of other food that was brought into the house, was very different from what we have in the United States.  I remember the meat being more fatty and gamy than we are used to.  Also the fish had a very strong odor. In London, most of what we ate tasted familiar, but that wasn't the case with the food delivered to the house.

Q: What was the most memorable moment during your week in the house?

A: There were a few moments actually.  One moment was when my husband and I had special time to be with each other. Tanya asked us to spend time in the backyard together and the objective was to enjoy our time together without allowing the children to interrupt us. It worked for the most part and we started reminiscing about our first memories together.  Later, the set designers staged a romantic scene for us in the quiet room with roses, chocolate covered strawberries and champagne.  It was so sweet.  We felt giddy like when we first met. It was so refreshing to just laugh together! We don't remember much about what we said but we do remember that it felt good to look in each others eyes and feel grateful to have one another.  And finally, it was very special when I saw my children go to sleep without me having to fuss over them. It was so peaceful. Thank you Tanya!    

Q: What was the biggest lesson you learned from Dr. Tanya? Have you seen a difference in your family structure and your relationship with your children since the show?

A: The biggest lesson I learned was to let our children grow, and to be consistent with our disciplining, as well as to applaud good behavior.  The experience also taught me to be calm and less explosive.  It was great to see my children act independently in several situations, such as eating and playing with other children without me getting too involved.  I also learned that I am allowed to give myself a break.

Q: Overall, what did you think of the experience?

A: I thought it was well worth our time and energy.  It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that we will always remember.  I learned so much about myself, my husband and my children. They deserve anything I can learn to have a healthier lifestyle.

Q: Has your life changed since you appeared in the show? If yes, then how?

A: We definitely came home with the essential tools.  We have gradually applied much of what we learned to our daily life.   We don't offer the children too many options when it comes to eating.  I place the food in front of them and create positive energy around the table so that everyone can enjoy their meals.  We also are very strict with bedtime and keep a routine. It has definitely worked. I am still struggling to be more calm when issues arise, but I am getting better each day. Rich and I seem closer again, which is just as important as how I interact with my kids.

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