How Shakira Is Raising Her Boys to Be 'Modern Men'

Photo by Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — Shakira says she is raising her two young sons with Spanish soccer star Gerard Pique to be “modern men” — just like their dad.

“Growing up with a working mom is a start,” the 38-year-old singer told Parents Latina recently. “I also think their dad is a good example of a modern man to emulate. Gerard and I pretty much share all parenting responsibilities, although I’m definitely the disciplinarian.”

The couple are raising their sons, Milan, 2, and Sasha, 3, in both the U.S. and Pique’s native Spain, but their parenting styles come from their own upbringing.

“Their dad and I both grew up in very close-knit families, and that has made us openly affectionate parents,” the Colombian singer said.

As hands-on as she is, Shakira has learned how to delegate.

“Becoming a mom forced me to re-prioritize and make room for the things that are most important, while recognizing that there are things I can let go of and the world won’t crumble around me,” she said.

Shakira is currently juggling motherhood with recording her next Spanish-language album. So which is easier?

“I really enjoy working on Spanish albums, but I always joke that Milan was easier to give birth to than my last album [2014’s ‘Shakira’]!” she said. “I apply the same amount of dedication to being a mom as I do to my music — I guess you could say music was my first baby.”