Shakira Wants Her Sons to Know That Life Isn't 'How People Picture It in the Movies': 'They've Seen Their Mom Cry'

The musician is mom to sons Sasha and Milan, whom she shares with ex Gerard Piqué

Shakira is trying to set a good example for her sons.

While speaking to Rolling Stone for their July/August cover story, the "Hips Don't Lie" singer, 47, opened up about how she approaches being a mother to her two sons, Sasha, 9, and Milan, 11, whom she shares with ex Gerard Piqué, 37, and continuing in her music career.

"When we're mothers, we never dial it down," Shakira told the outlet. "We can keep working, but our commitment as mothers is nonnegotiable."

She added, "Sometimes achieving balance is difficult, right? How much time do you dedicate to yourself, to your work, to the children? But children always come first and what consumes us the most."

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Related: Shakira Says Her Sons Sasha and Milan 'Absolutely Hated' Barbie: 'They Felt It Was Emasculating'

Sharing that her feelings on motherhood have amplified as she's become a single mom, Shakira said, "I never had to rely on myself as much as I have fighting for my survival and the survival of my kids,. I think they've seen their mother cry. I think they've seen her celebrate. I think they've seen her laugh. I think they've seen her work tirelessly."

"And that's it: I want to show them that life isn't linear. It's not how people picture it in the movies. Things don't turn out the way we want them to and you have to deal with disappointment. That's part of the human condition. It's why we're here," she continued.

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In April's cover story for Allure, Shakira shared that her sons didn't like Barbie, noting that she wasn't into the movie either.

"My sons absolutely hated it," Shakira told the outlet. "They felt it was emasculating. And I agree, to a certain extent."

"I'm raising two boys. I want 'em to feel powerful too [while] respecting women. I like pop culture when it attempts to empower women without robbing men of their possibility to be men, to protect and provide," she continued.

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