def to_dict(self):
        """
        For backwards compatibility
        """
        plain_dict = dict()
        for k, v in self.items():
            if self.__fields__[k].is_list:
                if isinstance(self.__fields__[k], ViewModelField):
                    plain_dict[k] = tuple(vt.to_dict() for vt in v)
                    continue

                plain_dict[k] = tuple(copy.deepcopy(vt) for vt in v)
                continue

            if isinstance(self.__fields__[k], ViewModelField):
                plain_dict[k] = v.to_dict()
                continue

            plain_dict[k] = copy.deepcopy(v)

        return plain_dict
For backwards compatibility