Show promos you won't want to miss! Join Janny Perez in her Free LIVE Confident Bilingual Parenting Masterclass via Zoom on 9/29. Click HERE to register.

Do you worry that your Spanish isn’t “good enough” to pass down to your kids—or feel guilty when English starts taking over? In this episode, Janny sits down with Latina mom, author, award-winning filmmaker, and keynote speaker Denise Soler Cox to talk about the cultural rules, shame, and expectations that can shape how we see ourselves and what we pass down to our children.

You’ll hear how Denise grew up with Spanish as “the language of secrets,” why she stopped waiting for perfect Spanish and started teaching her daughters the 80% she knew, and how letting go of shame can change the way we see ourselves. They also explore Qué dirán, motherhood, self-worth, breaking generational cycles, and choosing what we want to carry forward.

What You’ll Learn

• Why you don’t need perfect Spanish to pass it down
• How shame can make us afraid to speak Spanish
• Why our worth isn’t defined by our fluency
• How our children learn from what we model
• How to choose what cultural traditions and expectations to pass forward

Memorable Quotes

“As soon as I forgave myself for my own imperfections, their comment didn't affect me anymore.” — Denise Soler Cox

“Some Spanish is better than no Spanish.” — Janny Pérez

Timestamps & Highlights

05:57 — When Spanish Became the Language of Secrets
09:09 — “Teach Them the 80% You Know”
12:12 — When Spanish Becomes a Source of Shame
14:47 — Passing Down More Than Spanish
19:20 — “What Will They Say?” / Qué Dirán
25:08 — When Sacrifice Becomes a Badge of Honor
28:59 — When “Not Enough” Gets Tangled With Spanish
33:50 — The Mother-Daughter Wound
41:35 — Putting Yourself Back on the List
47:26 — The Fast Round

Resources

📚 What Will They Say? Confront Cultural Taboos and Discover Your Inner Power by Denise Soler Cox — Available in English and Spanish

🎁 Confident Bilingual Parenting Masterclass — September 29
Sign up: milegasi.com

More bilingual parenting tips and resources: milegasi.com

Connect With Janny

Instagram: @milegasi
Podcast Instagram: @thelatinamomlegacy
Website: milegasi.com
Facebook Community: Latina Moms Raising Bilingual Kids

Final Thoughts

You don’t need perfect Spanish, a perfect plan, or a perfect past to create something beautiful for your children. You get to honor the parts of your cultura that make you proud—and choose what you want your children to carry forward. Tú puedes, mamá.

Do you feel guilty speaking “imperfect” Spanish with your kids—or avoid it altogether because you’re afraid your grammar isn’t good enough? In this episode, Janny explains why broken Spanish is better than no Spanish at all and how the fear of making mistakes can get in the way of raising bilingual kids.

You’ll learn how to define what bilingualism and fluency mean for your familia, why your Spanish doesn’t have to be perfect to be valuable, and how modeling mistakes can create a more supportive environment for your child to use Spanish.

What You’ll Learn

• How to define what fluency means for your family
• Why the Spanish you already have is valuable
• How modeling mistakes can build confidence
• Why perfectionism can get in the way of using Spanish
• How to create a supportive language environment at home

Memorable Quote

“Some Spanish is better than no Spanish.”

Timestamps & Highlights

01:00 — Why You Don’t Need Perfect Spanish
03:22 — Define Fluency for Your Family
06:12 — A Foundation Beats No Foundation
07:44 — Modeling Mistakes to Build Confidence
09:54 — When Perfectionism Gets in the Way

Resources

🎁 Confident Bilingual Parenting Masterclass — September 29
Sign up: milegasi.com

More bilingual parenting tips and resources: milegasi.com

Connect With Janny

Instagram: @milegasi
Podcast Instagram: @thelatinamomlegacy
Website: milegasi.com
Facebook Community: Latina Moms Raising Bilingual Kids

Final Thoughts

You don’t need perfect Spanish to raise bilingual kids. Start with the Spanish you have, let yourself make mistakes, and remember that connection matters more than perfection. Tú puedes, mamá.

Ever wonder why your child understands Spanish but always answers in English? You’re not alone, mamá—and it doesn’t mean you’re failing. In this episode, Janny explains why children can understand much more Spanish than they speak and shares practical ways to help your child use more Spanish at home.

You’ll learn the difference between receptive and expressive language, how to create real opportunities for your child to use Spanish, and why everyday conversations can help encourage more Spanish—without guilt or overwhelm.

What You’ll Learn

• Why children can understand more Spanish than they speak
• The difference between receptive and expressive language
• How to create real opportunities for your child to use Spanish
• Why routines and conversations can encourage more Spanish
• How to move beyond basic commands and one-word answers

Memorable Quote

“Understanding isn't the finish line, it's just the starting point.”

Timestamps & Highlights

01:44 — Understanding Spanish but Answering in English
03:09 — Understanding vs. Speaking Spanish
04:08 — Creating a Need to Use Spanish
05:34 — Why English Becomes the Default
07:19 — Moving Beyond Basic Spanish
08:19 — Real Conversations, Not Just Commands

Resources:

🎁 Free Confident Bilingual Parenting Masterclass — September 29
Sign up: milegasi.com

More bilingual parenting tips and resources: milegasi.com

Connect With Janny:

Instagram: @milegasi
Podcast Instagram: @thelatinamomlegacy
Website: milegasi.com
Facebook Community: Latina Moms Raising Bilingual Kids

Final Thoughts:

Your child understanding Spanish is a foundation—not a failure. Give them real opportunities to use Spanish, keep the conversation going, and remember that progress matters more than perfection. Tú puedes, mamá.