Show notes
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
Our TOPPODCAST Picks 
Stay Connected
