Veteran Nollywood actress Chinyere Wilfred has shared her thoughts on modern parenting and the increasing instability of marriages among younger generations, drawing from her personal life and her role in the popular TV series Sands of Time.

In an interview with The Nation, Wilfred voiced her concern about the growing number of broken homes and shifting family dynamics. She attributed much of this change to the rise of Gen Z culture and a steady drift away from traditional family values.

“Parents of this generation are Gen Z parents,” she began. “Back in the day, our parents wouldn’t do most of the things we see today. Look at marriages now—you buy aso ebi and before you blink, they’ve broken up. We weren’t like that before. I’ve been married for over 30 years and I’m still happily married.”

Wilfred, known for her strict “Mama Bomboy” character in Sands of Time, shared that working on the show made her reassess her own parenting approach. She admitted that portraying a tough African mother on screen opened her eyes to how closely she mirrored that role at home.

“While shooting, I saw myself in that character. I realized I was overreacting with my children. During filming, I didn’t notice it, but when I watched the playback, I saw my faults,” she revealed.
“When I got home, I calmed down with my son, I won’t lie. Even now—at this age when they say Gen Z this, Gen Z that—he still can’t sleep out even though he’s a graduate. I thought I was protecting them, but I was actually overprotecting them.”

According to Wilfred, Sands of Time carries valuable lessons for African mothers who may mistake love for control.

“The series will teach mothers to listen more and loosen up,” she said. “It’s a wake-up call for many of us to reflect and adjust.”

As both a mother and seasoned actress, Wilfred hopes her message reminds parents to adapt as family dynamics evolve—emphasizing that love, trust, and balance are key to raising emotionally healthy children.