Have you ever felt like your Spanish wasn't enough or wondered how to reconnect with your cultura?

In this episode of The Latina Mom Legacy, Janny Perez talks with Cynthia Perez, a therapist, mom of three, and founder of Rooted in Reflection. Cynthia shares how childhood shame around her Spanish led her to stop trying, how ancestral healing helped her reconnect with her Maya and Yucatec roots, and why she ultimately moved her family from Los Angeles to Mexico.

You'll discover how to reclaim your heritage, navigate language shame, and raise bilingual and bicultural kids while embracing your own cultural identity.

Timestamps
04:06 – Growing Up Pocha: Language Shame
06:30 – Healing and Reconnecting With Her Maya Roots
17:46 – Why She Moved Her Family to Mexico
22:47 – Raising Bilingual Kids in Mexico
31:31 – Advice for Overcoming Spanish Shame
32:05 – Reclaiming Your Heritage From Anywhere
34:22 – The Suitcase That Changed How She Saw Herself

About Cynthia Perez

Cynthia Perez is a therapist, mother of three, and founder of Rooted in Reflection. Born in Long Beach, California, Cynthia embarked on a journey of healing and self-discovery that led her to reconnect with her Maya and Yucatec heritage and move her family to Mexico. Through her work, she centers inner healing from a decolonial perspective, exploring ancestral connections, cultural identity, and marianismo (colonial influences on motherhood). She is also a self-published author of three books and the host of the podcast Confetti All Around.

About Janny Perez

Resources
Cynthia Perez: https://rootedinreflection.org/
Confetti All Around podcast
Free bilingual parenting resources: https://milegasi.com/

Join the Latina Moms Raising Bilingual Kids Facebook group: https://facebook.com/groups/milegasi to connect with other moms on this journey.

Follow Janny: @milegasi

Podcast: @thelatinamomlegacy

Final Thoughts:

Remember, mamá: You don't have to speak perfect Spanish or move abroad to reclaim your roots. Start where you are and keep going!

About Janny Perez

Janny Perez is a bilingual parenting educator, coach, and host of The Latina Mom Legacy podcast.

As a multilingual mom herself, Janny helps Latina and multicultural families raise bilingual children with confidence, consistency, and connection to language and culture—even in English-dominant environments.

Through Mi Legasi, Janny teaches parents how to move beyond guilt and the pressure to do bilingual parenting perfectly, and instead create a flexible approach that works for their child, their family, and real life.

Learn more at milegasi.com

Show Promos You Don't Want to Miss: Enrollment closes October 18, 2026 for Confident Bilingual Parenting Group Coaching that begins October 20. Use code POD50 for $50 off.

Does This Sound Like You, Amiga?

• Are you the only Spanish speaker at home?

• Do you feel like raising a bilingual child is all on your shoulders?

• Does your spouse speak Spanish but rarely use it with your child?

Can you raise a bilingual child when your spouse doesn't speak Spanish? ¡Sí, amiga, tú puedes!

What You'll Discover in This Episode

Janny Perez shares her experience raising her daughter trilingually and explains how to create meaningful opportunities for Spanish, involve your spouse, and build a flexible approach that works for your family.

Memorable Quote

"You're trying to create a Spanish-speaking relationship."

Timestamps & What You'll Discover

03:32 — Do You Need Two Spanish-Speaking Parents?
Why one parent can make a difference.

09:40 — Making Spanish Part of Everyday Life
Finding natural opportunities to use Spanish.

11:47 — Why Exposure Alone Isn't Enough
Creating reasons for your child to speak Spanish.

13:08 — People, Places, and Experiences
Making Spanish meaningful through relationships and activities.

18:09 — Getting Your Spouse Involved
How your partner can support bilingualism without speaking Spanish.

24:43 — When Your Spouse Won't Speak Spanish
Encouraging participation without constant conflict.

Resources

Confident Bilingual Parenting: Join Janny's 3-month group coaching program and create a flexible bilingual parenting plan for your family.

Enrollment closes October 18, 2026. Coaching begins October 20. Use code POD50 for $50 off.

Learn more: https://milegasi.thinkific.com/courses/confidentbilingualparenting

Explore free resources at https://www.milegasi.com

Connect With Janny

Instagram: @milegasi
Threads: @milegasi
Podcast Instagram: @thelatinamomlegacy

Final Thoughts

You don't need two Spanish-speaking parents or a perfect bilingual environment. You need a flexible plan that works for the family you actually have.

¡Tú puedes, mamá!

Amiga, have you ever felt ni de aquí ni de allá? In this episode, Janny Perez talks with Alyssa Bolaños, a Cuban mom married to a Colombian, about moving her family from the United States to Medellín, Colombia, and rethinking what it means to belong.

Together, they discuss raising children connected to their roots, navigating cultural identity, challenging stereotypes about Latin America, and redefining the American dream for the next generation.

What You'll Discover

• Why children can belong to more than one culture.

• How new experiences expand your children's worldview.

• What moving abroad taught Alyssa about success, family, and slowing down.

• How to help your children embrace their cultural identity.

  
  

  Memorable Quote

  “Ni de aquí ni de allá doesn't have to be a limitation. Son de aquí y son de allá.” - Janny Perez

  
  

  Timestamps

  • 04:08 — Growing Up Ni de Aquí Ni de Allá

  • 10:32 — Why Her Family Moved to Colombia

  • 13:16 — Helping Her Kids Adjust

  • 19:33 — Redefining the American Dream

  • 20:41 — Learning to Slow Down

  • 23:40 — Casa Bolaños and Moving Abroad

  • 26:41 — Challenging Misconceptions About Latin America

  • 32:32 — The Latina Mom Legacy Fast Round

  About Alyssa Bolaños

  Alyssa Bolaños is a Cuban mom, wife, and content creator who moved her family from the United States to Medellín, Colombia, to reconnect with their roots and create a different kind of life for her children. Through Casa Bolaños, she shares resources to help other families explore what living abroad in Latin America could look like.

  Connect with Alyssa:

  • Website: https://casabolanos.com

• Instagram & TikTok: @casabolanos

  
  

  About Janny Perez

  Janny Perez is a bilingual parenting educator, coach, and host of The Latina Mom Legacy. Through Mi Legasi, she helps Latina and multicultural families raise bilingual children with confidence, consistency, and connection to language and culture.

  Learn more: https://milegasi.com

  
  

  Continue Your Bilingual Parenting Journey

  Ready to stop second-guessing your bilingual parenting approach? Join Janny's three-month Confident Bilingual Parenting group coaching program for practical tools, live coaching, and a supportive community.

  Use code POD50 for $50 off through October 18, 2026.

  Learn more: https://milegasi.thinkific.com

  Amiga, your children can belong to more than one culture. They can embrace their roots while creating their own path.

  Son de aquí y son de allá.