Veteran Nollywood actress Chinyere Wilfred is speaking from the heart — and from experience — about the struggles of parenting and the changing face of marriage in today’s fast-paced, Gen Z-influenced society.

In a recent interview with The Nation, the actress, who has been married for over 30 years, shared deep reflections sparked by her role in the TV drama Sands of Time. According to Wilfred, playing her character made her look inward and reassess her own parenting approach.

“While shooting, I saw myself in that character,” she admitted. “I realized I was overreacting with my children. During the act, I didn’t notice it, but when I re-watched it, I saw my faults.”

Wilfred revealed that even though her son is now a graduate, she had always been strict to the point of not letting him sleep outside the home. What she thought was protection, she later realized might have been too much.

 “I thought I was protecting them, but I was overprotecting them,” she said.

Speaking on the rising rate of broken marriages today, the actress didn’t hold back. She blamed a lot of it on a cultural shift among younger generations.

“Parents of this generation are Gen Z parents. Back in our days, parents would not do most of the things we see now. Look at what’s happening to marriages — you buy Aso Ebi, and before you know it, the couple is divorced,” she said. “We weren’t like that before.”

Her comments reflect a growing concern among many about the fragility of modern-day relationships and the pressure on parents to adapt in an evolving world. Still, she emphasized the need for balance — between guidance and freedom, tradition and modernity.

As both a seasoned actress and a mother, Wilfred’s voice adds a thoughtful perspective to ongoing conversations about family, values, and growth in today’s Nigeria.