A unicorn of a human; a bucketful of talent; a woman of class, grace, and love; and a remarkable chanteuse. That is Céline Marie Claudette Dion. The French-Canadian superstar songstress who grew up in a huge family of music and love and later became a singing sensation before her armpit hair had popped.

She made headlines when she married the love of her life, René Angélil, in 1994 even though Angélil was 26 years his senior. The two met in 1980 when Céline was only 12 and René 38 after Dion submitted a demo tape of a song she had written with her mom. René signed her and mortgaged his home to pay for her debut album, La Voix Du Bon Dieu. It was then that René began nurturing her career and the two started a romance by 1987.

Against all the odds, the couple was blessed with their first baby, René-Charles Angelil (RC), in 2001, and later fraternal twins Nelson and Eddy Angelil on October 23, 2010. Céline’s journey to motherhood has been an interesting one, mainly because she got her first baby with the help of in vitro fertilization because the couple faced fertility problems. The twins were also conceived through the same procedure though after six attempts.

Unfortunately, 73-year-old René Angélil lost his battle with cancer on January 14, 2016, and Céline was left to single-handedly look after her three boys. Despite this challenge, and her iconic music career, Céline Dion has maintained that motherhood is her proudest achievement.

Her boys are already transforming into princely young men, and it seems Céline is doing a great job in parenting. But Céline, like many celebrities, can be a nonconformist and has her way of raising her kids.

Let’s delve deeper into her unique child-rearing styles:

KEEP YOUR HAIR AS LONG AS YOU WANT

Céline’s boys are known to rock long hair. René-Charles, for example, has this signature mane that flows down his back. A while back, when his mother was hosted on the Oprah show, Oprah asked the songstress about her son’s hair, and she confirmed that RC had never had a haircut – he would cut his hair when he was ready. In fact, RC never shaved until he was eight years old and school regulations required him to shave his hair.

The twins have also been having long hair for the longest time. During one Christmas, Céline posted a rare photo on Instagram and fans immediately noticed that the twins had cut their locks. Everyone thought Eddy and Nelson were unrecognizable because they always made public appearances with long hair. However, they still looked adorable with their famous mom who was wearing fancy festive PJs. Maybe the offsprings of a great singer need to have long girly hair that they can shave whenever they please.

CÉLINE USED A DISNEY FILM TO EXPLAIN THE AFTERLIFE TO HER TWINS

René Angélil’s departure was heartbreaking because he had battled cancer for the longest time. After he was gone, Dion was faced with the difficult task of explaining death to her five-year-olds. Like other parents, she perused through tons of reading materials about the subject and even requested for children books to help guide her through the process. She then remembered one of her son’s favorite movie, Up (2009): a modern and classic Disney film.

In Up, a character named Ellie passed away, and the kids were aware they could not see her anymore. Céline told her twins that papa was up there with Ellie because everybody goes up, and up there people never get sick. The kids knew that their father had been ailing and their mom wanted them to know he was in a better place. Céline also let them know that they could still send him messages using a helium balloon. She took the kids out, and they released balloons into the sky and sprinkled pixie dust. It was a sign of love and an acknowledgment that René had gone up forever.

DECEASED FAMILY MEMBERS STILL LIVE AMONGST US

Céline wanted her boys to continue keeping their late father’s memory. One of the ways of achieving this was by ensuring they say goodnight to ‘him’ every night. Dion disclosed that before bedtime, Eddy and Nelson kiss their father’s picture goodnight and write beautiful words to him.

Her strength and positivity has rubbed off on her sons and has ensured they keep their father in their hearts every day. When René passed, it was important for Céline to let the children know that they were going to live with their dad differently. The boys are now convinced that their dad lives in their hearts, and they are not trying looking for him. This tradition has made it possible for the boys to keep their dad in their daily conversations and their lives.

EVERY NIGHT CÉLINE DION SHARES A BED WITH HER TWINS

After Renés demise, Céline started sharing a big bed with her twins. This has been a way of keeping them close because he finds them very comforting. But this does not mean the boys will not move to their personal rooms; Céline believes they will take that step when they are ready.

They have been spending plenty of time together, and Céline has discovered Disney. The togetherness has been a great way to take the boys through the pain of losing their dad because now they see Céline as a symbol of strength. The singer is aware that if she does not show them the way, they will start asking questions that she may not have answers to.

Sharing a bed has many perks, some of which include promoting feelings of security, safety and lowering stress. It also boosts the love hormone that is responsible for easing anxiety. The benefits are far too many, and Céline knows right.

NAMING KIDS AFTER HEROES

When the twins were welcomed into the brood, they were named Eddy and Nelson – uncommon names by today’s standards. Nelson was named after former South African statesman, Nelson Mandela, while Eddy was named in honor of Eddy Marnay, the famous French-Jewish songwriter.

When speaking to Oprah Winfrey in 2011, Dion admitted that the couple had a difficult time picking names for their twin boys. Céline added that they were feeling different about the names and it was hard to reach an agreement. At the hospital, the twins were referred to as Baby A and Baby B because the parents were still undecided.

After a week, they finally agreed. The first name that came to Céline’s mind was Nelson because she had had the privilege of visiting Nelson Mandela while on a world tour in South Africa – the couple had been impressed by Mandela’s kind heart. The name Eddy came about because Eddy Marnay had produced Céline’s first five French albums and he was her favorite French songwriter. Eddy Marnay was like a father to Céline and had been a major influence in the couple’s life. Behind the scenes, Céline’s mom was pushing for French names while René-Charles wanted American names.

TEACH THE KIDS MORE THAN ONE LANGUAGE

Céline is French-Canadian, and so was her hubby. Therefore, it was natural that their children would speak both French and English. While the kids were still young, Céline and René ensured that they balanced the two languages while communicating. Both parents began speaking both English and French to their kids when they were still very young. These babies were already aware of French at only four months old.

Now, the perks of speaking both English and French are too many. In future, Céline will find it easier to travel with her sons because they will be able to talk in a foreign language. The twins will have an easier time making friends who speak either language, particularly because their lives revolve around Canada and the USA. They will also have an easier time connecting with family members who speak both languages.

SPORTS IS GOOD

Céline Dion is a real hockey mom, probably because of her Canadian roots. Her eldest son, RC, is a hockey player and his mother is proud of it. René-Charles (former Nevada Storm Midget AAA player) now plays for the Jr. Golden Knights, a Las Vegas-based under 16 team, and her mother has occasionally showed up to support her.

Céline has reportedly been spotted performing all kinds of cheering when René is playing. On October 12, 2015, the singer and her son posted a lovely photo where they were making peace signs while standing in front of hockey player P.K Subban’s jersey. Subban is a fan of Dion and her son.

René-Charles has posted several videos and photos of himself playing hockey because he seems to love the Northern sport. But RC is not the only one who enjoys sports, the twins also love skiing and are always eager to go gliding in the snow. It’s a family tradition.

GET READY FOR HUGE RESPONSIBILITIES BY AGE 15

Most people believe René-Charles’ looks and actions are beyond his age, especially considering he has a superstar mom. RC carries himself with his mother’s air of dignity and class. In fact, he is so responsible that he was given the task of reading his father’s eulogy, and he did not disappoint.

René-Charles made headlines when he gave a touching and emotional eulogy in 2016 during his father’s funeral at the Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal, Canada. He disclosed that even though fifteen years was not enough for him to know René Angélil, his dad had left him with great memories to share with his brothers. He explained that he would pass on to the twins whatever he had learnt from his old man and promised that he was going to stick by his dad’s standards and follow his legacy. During the speech, he brought up a joke about smoked meat and cheered up the crowd. Surprisingly, he had not even turned 15 then, but was almost. His eulogy captured the hearts of Canadians and left many surprised.

GRANDMOTHER’S BIRTHDAY NEEDS TO BE CELEBRATED IN STYLE

Unlike many celebrities, Dion rarely parades her sons, unless it is necessary; her mom’s 90^th birthday was one of those moments. Dion posted a lovely family photo of her three sons posing with their grandmother Thérèse Tanguay.

Among them were elegantly dressed relatives who were probably Céline’s siblings. The lovely photo had a French caption that she also translated into English. She was thankful that Maman Dion, as Canadian media calls her, was still alive and that it was a privilege to still have her around. She ended the message with words of love and added a couple of lovely emojis before tagging, Denise Truscello, the photographer.

Dion had draped herself in a lovely black dress with a beautiful neckline that revealed her complementary necklace. She placed her hand on her firstborn’s shoulder and had a glistening bracelet that added elegance to the photo. Eddy and Nelson wore white pants with matching red jackets, and they sandwiched RC and the birthday girl.

FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS

After René Angélil’s passing, Dion made it clear that she never wanted to make her elder son feel like he had to fill his father’s shoes. Céline never wanted René-Charles to feel the pressure that he was now the man of the house. Dion admits that René-Charles has his dreams and he is free to pursue them.

Since her husband’s funeral, the youngest sons have been pretty busy. One is already pursuing gymnastics while the other wants to play the piano. Dion has become the “leader” of her family because she doesn’t want to restrict her sons with family responsibilities. This is also why she has allowed René-Charles to continue pursuing hockey.

The five-time Grammy winner has maintained that despite the lack of a family patriarch, she feels stronger because Angélil gave her the rest of him. Therefore, she has to step forward and set the path for her boys.

DOWN-TO-EARTH UPBRINGING

René-Charles is an excellent example of down-to-earth upbringing. He is a calm teen despite being the offspring of a music superstar. When you peruse through his social media accounts, you can tell he is a drama-free teen who has had an excellent upbringing. Of course, you are going to find one or two photos of him getting dapper with his teammates before a tournament, or striking a pose backstage with Drake or Rihanna. There is nothing too crazy, which is quite surprising.

While other teens are giving their celebrity parents hell, René-Charles is sober, composed, and carries himself with his mother’s discipline. He is on the cusp of manhood, yet he is already exhibiting the sportsmanship and brilliance of an adult man.

This is surprising considering his mom is one of Canada’s most successful musicians. In 2009, Céline Dion was named the 20th best-selling Artist of the Decade in the United States. The next year, she was declared the top earner of the decade after raking a whopping $747.9 million from 2000–2009. Despite these achievements, her son, René-Charles, is a testimony that a kid with a diva mom can be amazing.

BIRTHDAYS SHOULD BE SPENT TOGETHER

Getting older is something that the superstar mom treasures. When Eddy and Nelson turned seven last year, Dion posted a photo on Instagram to express her joy. The photo was captioned with messages of love that were heartwarming. On this particular birthday, the singer and her sons decided to try Michael Jackson’s signature style that incorporated black and white outfits. The twins wore MJ’s shiny dance shoes while mom wore a black and white hat.

When the twins turned six years, they were taken to Disney land together with René-Charles. It was the first birthday the boys were celebrating without their father, but they seemed to be enjoying themselves. They were having so much fun and kept eating junk food.

When RC turned 17 years on January 25, 2018, Dion did not hide her happiness either; she took to Instagram to express her love for her eldest son. She revealed how she loved him each day and how she was proud of who the young man had turned into. The 49-year-old singer was looking relaxed and had her arm around René-Charle’s shoulder.

DISNEYLAND HAS BEEN A SPECIAL PLACE FOR THE FAMILY

Back in 2007, when René-Charles was six years old, Dion took her to Disneyland in Anaheim, and they snapped a photo outside Sleeping Beauty Castle. Since then, visiting Disneyland is almost like a ritual.

For the twins’ first birthday, on October 23, 2011, DisneyWorld came to them at their residence in Jupiter Island, Florida. They were visited by Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse-clad clowns. Eddy and Nelson looked admirable in their matching neckties and outfits as they posed with 10-year-old René-Charles and their happy-looking parents. Seventy guests were invited for the celebration, and most of them included doctors (who helped Dion conceive) and close family members. It was like an opportunity to thank everyone who had supported the couple.

They visited Disneyland for an early celebration of the twins fifth birthday in October 2015. Dion looked happy and posed for a shot with Mickey Mouse in front of the Sleeping Beauty Castle. René was still around, but he was absent because he had been diseased by throat cancer. In October of the next year, shortly after the twins’ sixth birthday, they also visited Disneyland, and this was the first time they celebrated their birthday since their father passed. Dion was seen laughing and throwing her hands in the air as she enjoyed Mad Tea Party. They also tried the Alice in Wonderland-themed ride and Dumbo the Flying Elephant.

NO WHINING

After the devastating death of René Angélil, Dion has been trying her best to show her children that sickness and things happen in life. She wants her sons to know that you cannot keep crying or be depressed because there are certain things in life you cannot change.

She admits that it is toxic to keep telling herself that she lost her husband and her kids have no father. Therefore, she has had to stand tall and strong because that is her nature. She tries as much as possible to be positive and does her best to live happily knowing nothing is perfect and that not everything you want will happen.

The Canadian artist had a rough year in 2016 because she lost her loving husband and her brother, who passed two days after René Angélil. But she has continued to keep a positive attitude towards life. Dion knows everything is about the kids, and she is making their life easier by not allowing them to wallow in the pain of their loss. So far, the kids are doing fine because their mother has taught them not to focus on what they’ve lost.

HOLIDAYS ARE SPENT IN MONTANA SKIING

In December 2016, Dion and her kids went to spend the holidays in Montana. This has been an annual family tradition that was slightly affected when René Angélil became too sick to travel.

Dion believes Angélil put some magic in the mountains of that border state, and, therefore, every time the family goes there, they go with him. They spent their Christmas on the slopes, sitting together by the fire and drinking plenty of hot chocolate. According to Dion, friends were willing to join, but she did not want many people around. The guests included Dion’s sister and René’s three children from his previous marriage. It was going to be the first time the twins would be skiing, and Dion had found a private area that was less exposed to accidents and slopes.

To her, the trip was not a party. It was a time to meditate, find balance, and be at peace with herself and the children. It was also a time to eat and play games. They were planning to vacation at Big Sky Resort, an exclusive Yellowstone club. René loved going there because it was a happy place.

FAMILY NEEDS TIME

Céline and René Angélil were well aware that starting a family was going to be an uphill task, especially because René was much older at the time. Sometime in 2000, Dion announced that she would be taking a break from singing to focus on starting a family with René.

She was more focused on becoming a mother more than anything, and she was determined to make the dream come true. That same year, Dion underwent two surgeries to help her achieve her goal, and her determination finally paid off when she finally got René-Charles, who was born in January 2001.

Later, in 2007, Dion took time off again to devote her attention to extending her brood. She again visited Dr. Zev Rosenwaks, a fertility expert who assisted in the birth of René-Charles. She made it public that she desired to expand her family and people doubted whether it would be possible because René Angélil was battling cancer at the time. Céline became pregnant again after six rounds of IVF treatment. She lost a baby in her first trimester but was happy to have the twins.

HALF SIBLINGS ARE FAMILY TOO

Dion has been as accommodative as possible to Angélil’s other children. When she wrote a letter to thank all those who had assisted in his funeral, she mentioned everyone: her three sons, Anne-Marie Angélil, Jean-Pierre Angelil, and Patrick Angelil.

When Dion paid tribute to her late husband for the very first time, Angélil’s other children were also present. It was a memorial at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, and it was attended by plenty of people who knew Angélil and the family. Céline spoke of how Angélil had protected her from Day one and was later joined on stage by Anne-Marie Angélil, Jean Pierre, Patrick, and Andre. Dion did not sing during this memorial event, but her music was played the entire night. Her longtime friend, David Foster, sang The Color of My Love.

When she took the family to Montana, she was joined by members of her extended family, which included the three adult children from Angélil’s previous marriage. By involving Angélil’s other kids in family affairs, Dion has shown her three boys that their half-siblings are part of the family.

SIBLINGS SHOULD HAVE A HUGE AGE GAP

René-Charles was conceived in 2001. In 2007, when Dion was in the midst of her fame and selling out shows around the world, she started having this urge of getting another baby. After her tour ended, she and her family returned to Florida, and she commenced her IVF treatment. It was six years after she had conceived her first child.

She consulted Dr. Rosenwaks about trying again, and she came back to have the embryos transferred back because she longed for another baby. Céline underwent several blood tests, hormone injections, and examinations yet she did not give up. She eventually got lucky and had the twins.

Dion intentionally spaced out her pregnancies, and her kids are today ten years apart. The upside is that it was much easier for René-Charles to understand the concept of a new baby and not to feel left out. There are other perks: Céline is able to give her twins quality time, and she has been able to spread out the cost of childcare.

FAMILY IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN WORK

Dion has in the past canceled tour dates to focus on her family. In 2014, when René Angélil was recovering from a surgery to remove a tumour, Dion announced in her official website that she would be going on a hiatus to concentrate her energy and strength to her husband who was healing.

At the time, Dion was also battling an illness that had caused her throat muscles to swell and had prevented her from performing. In the statement, Dion disclosed that the family had endured a difficult and stressful time as they were dealing with Angélil’s illness while trying to juggle their busy schedule and to raise their three children. In fact, around the time, it was reported that Angélil had handed over management of Dion’s career to Aldo Giampaolo, a longtime friend.

Dion then thought it was wise to call it quits to all her Las Vegas shows that were supposed to be running through to March 2015. She also canceled a scheduled tour of Asia. It was not the first time Céline had taken a break from work to attend to family. From 2000-2002, she took a break from music after Angélil was diagnosed with cancer.

WHEN FAMILY NEEDS SUPPORT DON’T BE AFRAID TO SHOW IT

Céline Dion has been RC’s biggest cheerleader, and she proved it on August 14, 2017, while attending the U16 Jr. Golden Knights game. The singer came with her twins to show support for her eldest son. She was sporting RC’s jersey and showed off some dance moves while cheering. Céline was captured in a video dancing in the stands and waving her arms oblivious to the happenings around her. She proved that she is not the mum who will sit calmly and clap at her son’s game when she can do more.

The clip was posted by an Instagram user who was also a fan in the audience and was well received by the singer’s fans. In fact, her fans went crazy when they saw their favorite artist busting some dance moves and clapping wildly. To prove that she was in a good mood, she later posed for photographs with some fans.

A successful music career and epic hockey mom duties are enough proof that Céline Dion is a gem.